thedrifter
06-15-06, 06:47 PM
Local furniture museum-bound
Published Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:41:56 AM Central Time
By JASON JUNO
Globe Staff Writer
IRONWOOD -- Imagine Philadelphia in 1775. The owner of a waterfront tavern turned recruiter for the new Battalions of Continental Marines drew visitors with a chance to join this new military service, and the cold beer didn't hurt either.
The wooden booths and tables in the 1685 Tun Tavern were a part of the atmosphere when the U.S. Marine Corp, as the battalion is known today, was born.
Imagine no more. The look and feel can all be had in the restaurant (not tavern) of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., once it opens in November. Hitch Exclusives, of Ironwood, designed the furniture and the semi is taking it east on Monday.
They are recreating the restaurant with first generation heart pine from Milwaukee Loon Tannery, said Hitch owners, and husband and wife, Kurt and Michele Kinnunen.
The scars and nail marks are still there and they add to the allure of the wood and therefore the restaurant. There are four sets of booths, five round tables and 20 chairs.
"I want one of the booths for my new house," Michele said. "I ate lunch on here today. It feels like a restaurant."
Their business and the museum's goal fit perfectly.
"They wanted that reclaimed look," Kurt said.
For Michele, there is also a personal bond to the project. Her uncle, Jim Johnson, a charter fisherman at Black River Harbor was a Marine. He also helped them out when they were starting the business up.
"For me personally, it's an honor to be doing this for the U.S. Marines," she said.
Marines are also told of the history of Tun Tavern in their training.
A museum representative was unavailable for comment.
Rustic furniture
The tables have a heavier feel to them, he said, with square legs and a thick tabletop. That style goes back to the late 1600s, which is what the museum wanted, he said. A special finish is used because it is a restaurant setting. It is for food cleanliness and safety, he said.
Some of the wood was used as the framework of the building and some of it is from the roof. Tar had to be wiped off of the wood from the roof decking. But imperfections were otherwise left alone, like a knot on the back of the chair or a chuck of the edge of the table top missing. It makes it look even older that way and all the furniture is hand crafted.
"There's a story behind the wood. It makes it more nostalgia," Michele said. "It's just amazing."
Employee Joel Talo, who happened to be hired as the project started, did the finishing on the project.
'Without a hitch'
The bid was a long process to attain. After hearing from them in August, it was just 2 1/2 months ago when they got the go ahead to make the furniture.
It has meant long days and weeks for Kurt, but just about everything is ready to go on the truck.
"We worked long hours, but everything went off without a hitch," he said, noticing the pun.
The museum will be a tribune to U.S. Marines, and the building's "soaring design evokes the image of the flag raisers of Iwo Jima," according to the museum's Web site. Artifacts, including the flag from Iwo Jima will be a part of it. The intensity of boot camp can be experienced, rifle skills with a M-16 shown on the practice range, and moments like the 1968 Khe Sanh siege during the Vietnam War recreated with multimedia effects.
"We have a good excuse to go to Washington now," Michele said.
Hitch Exclusives is moving to a new location, from north Ironwood, to U.S. 51 in Manitowish Waters, Wis. They are looking to expand more into the commercial business while keeping with the personal homes business.
Ellie
Published Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:41:56 AM Central Time
By JASON JUNO
Globe Staff Writer
IRONWOOD -- Imagine Philadelphia in 1775. The owner of a waterfront tavern turned recruiter for the new Battalions of Continental Marines drew visitors with a chance to join this new military service, and the cold beer didn't hurt either.
The wooden booths and tables in the 1685 Tun Tavern were a part of the atmosphere when the U.S. Marine Corp, as the battalion is known today, was born.
Imagine no more. The look and feel can all be had in the restaurant (not tavern) of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., once it opens in November. Hitch Exclusives, of Ironwood, designed the furniture and the semi is taking it east on Monday.
They are recreating the restaurant with first generation heart pine from Milwaukee Loon Tannery, said Hitch owners, and husband and wife, Kurt and Michele Kinnunen.
The scars and nail marks are still there and they add to the allure of the wood and therefore the restaurant. There are four sets of booths, five round tables and 20 chairs.
"I want one of the booths for my new house," Michele said. "I ate lunch on here today. It feels like a restaurant."
Their business and the museum's goal fit perfectly.
"They wanted that reclaimed look," Kurt said.
For Michele, there is also a personal bond to the project. Her uncle, Jim Johnson, a charter fisherman at Black River Harbor was a Marine. He also helped them out when they were starting the business up.
"For me personally, it's an honor to be doing this for the U.S. Marines," she said.
Marines are also told of the history of Tun Tavern in their training.
A museum representative was unavailable for comment.
Rustic furniture
The tables have a heavier feel to them, he said, with square legs and a thick tabletop. That style goes back to the late 1600s, which is what the museum wanted, he said. A special finish is used because it is a restaurant setting. It is for food cleanliness and safety, he said.
Some of the wood was used as the framework of the building and some of it is from the roof. Tar had to be wiped off of the wood from the roof decking. But imperfections were otherwise left alone, like a knot on the back of the chair or a chuck of the edge of the table top missing. It makes it look even older that way and all the furniture is hand crafted.
"There's a story behind the wood. It makes it more nostalgia," Michele said. "It's just amazing."
Employee Joel Talo, who happened to be hired as the project started, did the finishing on the project.
'Without a hitch'
The bid was a long process to attain. After hearing from them in August, it was just 2 1/2 months ago when they got the go ahead to make the furniture.
It has meant long days and weeks for Kurt, but just about everything is ready to go on the truck.
"We worked long hours, but everything went off without a hitch," he said, noticing the pun.
The museum will be a tribune to U.S. Marines, and the building's "soaring design evokes the image of the flag raisers of Iwo Jima," according to the museum's Web site. Artifacts, including the flag from Iwo Jima will be a part of it. The intensity of boot camp can be experienced, rifle skills with a M-16 shown on the practice range, and moments like the 1968 Khe Sanh siege during the Vietnam War recreated with multimedia effects.
"We have a good excuse to go to Washington now," Michele said.
Hitch Exclusives is moving to a new location, from north Ironwood, to U.S. 51 in Manitowish Waters, Wis. They are looking to expand more into the commercial business while keeping with the personal homes business.
Ellie