Our History
In 1998, Sam Main held a meeting at his Appleton shop for area turners to gauge interest in starting a local woodturners chapter. Sam was treasurer of the Wisconsin Woodturners headquartered in the Milwaukee area.
Well, a few months later, the Northeast Wisconsin Woodturners (NEW) was established and later became a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Cliff Allen, a founding member, was the resident woodworking and turning instructor at the Boys' and Girls' Brigade in Neenah, where the monthly meetings were held.
Starting with a handful of participants, the group steadily grew to a total of 80 registered members. As membership grew, so did the need to upgrade the equipment used for demonstrations. With a grant from the AAW, the group purchased a Powermatic 3520B lathe.
Today the NEW continues to evolve into a well-organized group, run by several volunteers. Meetings are still held at the Brigade every month except July and August. (Even woodturners need a vacation!)
Besides a featured demonstration, meetings include a raffle, gallery, library, store, coffee, donuts and lunch. Membership dues allow the club to upgrade/purchase video recording and viewing systems, mini lathes, store supplies, library books and DVDs.
Well, a few months later, the Northeast Wisconsin Woodturners (NEW) was established and later became a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Cliff Allen, a founding member, was the resident woodworking and turning instructor at the Boys' and Girls' Brigade in Neenah, where the monthly meetings were held.
Starting with a handful of participants, the group steadily grew to a total of 80 registered members. As membership grew, so did the need to upgrade the equipment used for demonstrations. With a grant from the AAW, the group purchased a Powermatic 3520B lathe.
Today the NEW continues to evolve into a well-organized group, run by several volunteers. Meetings are still held at the Brigade every month except July and August. (Even woodturners need a vacation!)
Besides a featured demonstration, meetings include a raffle, gallery, library, store, coffee, donuts and lunch. Membership dues allow the club to upgrade/purchase video recording and viewing systems, mini lathes, store supplies, library books and DVDs.