The New Yankee Workshop
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The New Yankee Workshop is a woodworking program produced by WGBH Boston, which airs on PBS. Created in 1989 by Russell Morash, the program is hosted by Norm Abram, a regular fixture on Morash's This Old House.
The New Yankee Workshop features the construction of woodworking projects, including workshop accessories, architectural details and furniture projects ranging from simple pieces to complex, high-quality reproductions of antique classic furniture.
Some woodworkers criticize Abram and The New Yankee Workshop for the use of power tools, but the reason the show is called the NEW Yankee Workshop is because it focuses on introducing the viewer to methods and techniques for using modern equipment to produce furniture that resembles antique furniture. In response, some woodworking power tool aficionados proudly adopted the name "Normites", and derisively call those who prefer hand tools "Neanderthals" or "galoots".
The shop itself is owned by Morash and is attached to the rear lower-level of his home, even though the viewer is given the impression that it is in Abram's back yard, and its location is portrayed as a closely guarded secret, even though astute viewers of the series will have no doubt gathered enough clues over the years as to its whereabouts. The property at one time was also the site of The Victory Garden, another Morash production.
Funding came from Porter-Cable power tools, Vermont American saw blades and drill bits, Delta Woodworking Machinery, and the Thompson-Minwax Company.
Contents |
[edit] Episode guide
20th Season — airing on PBS beginning in January 2008 — 13 Episodes are shown as follows:
- Dream Kitchen - Kitchen Cabinet Basics, Part 1 — Program #2001
- Dream Kitchen - Kitchen Cabinet Basics, Part 2 — Program #2002
- Dream Kitchen - The Hot Wall — Program #2003
- Dream Kitchen - The Wet Wall — Program #2004
- Dream Kitchen - The Pantry — Program #2005
- Dream Kitchen - Office — Program #2006
- Dream Kitchen - The Island — Program #2007
- Dream Kitchen - The Bar — Program #2008
- Dream Kitchen - Finish and Install — Program #2009
- Adirondack Trio (with special guest woodworker Sara Ferguson) — Program #2010
- Outdoor Loveseat — Program #2011
- Lolling Chair — Program #2012
- Arts and Crafts Table — Program #2013
19th Season — 13 Episodes are shown as follows:
- Giltwood Mirror — Program #1901
- Entrance Door — Program #1902
- Old Pine Dry Sink — Program #1903
- Martha's Candlestand — Program #1904
- Dominy Clock — Program #1905
- Cowboy Sideboard — Program #1906
- Painted Cupboard — Program #1907
- Table Saw 101 (2-Part) — Programs #1908 and #1909
- Taunton Chest - Program #1910
- Bowfront Chest — Program #1911
- Nest of Tables — Program #1912
- Window Bench — Program #1913
[edit] In popular culture
On the television series House, M.D., Dr. House has a TiVo season pass for The New Yankee Workshop. His explanation for the pass is: "It's a complete moron working with power tools. How much more suspenseful can you get?"
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The New Yankee Workshop Official Web site which includes a shop tour, a program guide and other features including a Webcam
- The New Yankee Workshop at the Internet Movie Database
- A Norm Abram Fan Site features documentation of tools used in the series and a comprehensive program guide
- Another TNYW fan site featuring an archive of the shop webcam images and biographies.
- The TVIV page on the series — Information about the show; being set up to replace the now defunct tvtome.com

