[JBastian]

Years ago I had done some traveling, while in Colorado, I visited a carving museum, I thought it was the National Carving Museum. Does it still exist? I only found a museum in South Dakota, is that the same one only moved? A funny thing happened to me when I was there. A friend had a grandfather who I had only met a few times. He was a carver of sorts, his name Stroud Custer, his claim to fame was a stylized duck, which he had carved in nearly ever species of wood from around the world. So when I’m in the museum this guy is unpacking this collection of stylized ducks, much to my surprise. So I said to the man “hey I know the guy that carved those ducks, he even made one in poison ivy wood�. He looked at me out of one eye while still unpacking and said “you know him do you?� So I had to admit I didn’t know him well but had met him at his home which had a hydro-generator he had built himself. The man stood up and said “Stroud Custer, glad to meet you again!�



Also as I recall in that museum strung around the whole room was a giant chain, each link had to have been at least two feet long… that is if my memory serves me correct.

[Kenny_S]

I don't know if it has moved or not but the one in Custer South Dakota has been there since I was there in '91 and probably before. Great place and I was humbled by the carvings there. Amazing what a person can do with wood!

[DiamondWillow]

I think the one you are thinking about in Colorado was just North of Colo Springs in a little town of Monument right along the Interstate, I25 I think. I understand it went bankrupt and was sold out. I am quite sure that the one in Custer S.D. is not the same one. In fact I am about 99% sure. I did get to the Custer one this past summer and it is definitely worth the trip to see it. Lots of good carvings in that one also. So much animated stuff that is just fantastic to see

Gene

[BobT]

Hi, for sure the National Woodcarving Museum is gone. The Colorado Woodcarving Guild folded seven or eight years ago also. Nobody supported the places. There is not too much left in Colorado Springs in regards to woodcarving supplies. Pretty much just Woodcraft. Too bad, there used to be some neat stuff.
The local club, Pikes Peak Whittlers, has a show on 19, 20 March if anyone is within range.
If I am remembering correctly, the chain Johnathan mentioned was chain saw carved from a telephone pole. It was something to see.

[JBastian]

That’s disappointing the museum is closed they had a nice collection, quite large in fact. I wonder what happened to the pieces?



The carver I was familiar with Stroud Custer who had done the stylized duck had been written up 20 or more years ago in Chip Chats. What I thought was fascinating is that there are people out there that collect wood like a person would collect cookie jars or more importantly woodcarvings!. Stroud was member of such a group and set out to take the wood collection one step further and create something from the block of wood. I remember it being of special note to him that he had used the poison ivy block, and how he had to remain completely covered from head to foot so he wouldn’t get poison ivy. Do any of you folks have collections of wood species? I wonder if the stylized duck collection could be tracked down?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

ummm don't remember, but thought that museum was in Marble Colorado...could be wrong..it was already gone when we lived there..