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Visit any coastal village and you will see numerous hand carved sign boards identifying a business, a home’s owner, or a street address. These handsomely carved and gilded “nameboards” were originally made to identify sailing vessels and have specific names according to where they are placed on a ship. Trail boards, as the name indicates, trail aft from the figurehead on either side of the bow. Quarter boards are alongside the ship’s quarters. A stern board goes across the stern, sometimes being cut by the ship’s rudder post. Years after the American Revolution, most sailing ships only had trail boards. With the expansion of the merchant trade along the east coast of the United States in the early nineteenth century, congress passed a law in 1812, that the vessels name should be displayed on both the bow of the ship and the stern. This requirement resulted in the making of beautiful boards, examples of which have been an inspiration to generations of woodcarvers.
"Deep River" carved on Connecticut River driftwood
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 House Number Sign
House Number Sign
Saturday June 28th 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuition: $130 Materials: $20 Closed Come to our workshop and carve your own personal house number sign! In this one day class we will spend the morning practicing number carving. Starting with an oval board we will then design, layout and carve a house sign of your own choosing. If time permits, we will explore finishing options. By the end of the day you will have the necessary skills to complete any additional carving and finish your house number sign at home. Size: Approx. 9 inches wide x 14" tall. 
Transom House Number Sign
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