Nov. 2, 2005 -- The Museum at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will open the exhibition “Sam Strauss Collection of Historic Woodworking Tools:  Featuring the American Planemaker Collection” on Sunday, Nov. 13.

 In honor of Sam Strauss of Little Rock, a reception will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Don Kruse of the Early American Industries Association and Midwest Tool Collectors Association will present a program at 2 p.m.  In addition, plane makers from Eureka Springs, Larry Williams and Don McConnell, of Clark & Williams will speak and give demonstrations. More than 200 Clark & Williams planes are currently in use in the Conservation and Historic Trades Departments of Colonial Williamsburg.

Strauss is one of only a few collectors to focus on collecting planes by American craftsmen. These planes are of historic significance because they are some of the first signed artifacts originating in this country.  

The first tools to arrive in the United States were of European origin. Craftsmen soon began to incorporate innovative ideas into their tools to make them more efficient. Strauss has been collecting for 30 years and recently donated part of his collection to the ASU Museum.

The exhibition includes multiple planes with many different uses. Included are planes designed by Thomas L. Appleton of Boston, Arnold and Crouch of Northampton, Mass., H. Barris and Company of Goshen, Mass., L. Case of Watertown, N.Y., and many others.  

Curating the exhibition is Ronnie Walker, facilities manager of the ASU Lakeport Plantation. 

“There are many secrets yet to be found in researching and analyzing the changes that brought us into the industrial, and now, the technological age,” said Walker. 

The Sam Strauss Collection of Historic Woodworking Tools will be on exhibit at the ASU Museum through June 23, 2006.  

The public is invited to the reception, program and exhibition. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 1 - 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.  Admission is a suggested $2 donation per person.  

For more details, call the museum at 870-972-2074.