By Yvonne Wright • The Current Contributing Writer
It has been suggested that the history of our relationship with wood (shaping it, and using it in many diverse ways) is nearly as old as humanity itself… and started deep in our collective cultural past, when many parts of the world were still blanketed by lush forestry. Wood’s natural durability, capable of lasting for thousands of years (if sheltered in a moderate environment), along with its various colors, textures and density, and the people who worked it, helped to make significant contributions to the advancement of civilizations.
Craftsmen transformed this readily available, malleable material into buildings, weaponry, tools, home furnishings, transportation, devotional objects and luxury goods – consequently shaping our ancestors’ lives, improving their safety and comforts, aiding social communications, helping agricultural productivity, and improving mobility. Even today, we seek woodworking experts to build and enhance environments for us to live and thrive in.
When arriving in Jim Thorpe, one may immediately observe an abundance of fine carpentry on lovingly preserved/restored Victorian buildings. Whether they are complex, exterior architectural embellishments (such as multi-faceted roofs, shingle covered turrets, broad window trims, textured walls, as well as sumptuous porches and doorways), or delightfully charming interior decorations (for example, wall panelings, fireplaces, doors, staircases and furnishings), Victorian-era Jim Thorpe still basks in its Gothic, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Romanesque revival architectural glory.
All of which would not be possible if not for the skills of the carpenters and woodworking masters who labored on them, while rich Pennsylvanian forests supplied the material. Because wood was still the most popular residential building material in the 19th century, the carpentry trade prospered, and more often than not the art of cutting, working, and joining timber was a closely guarded family affair, passed on from father to son for generations.
Frank Jamison of Jamison Woodcrafts is one of those talented carpenters and celebrated residents of Jim Thorpe, whose family tradition of understanding/love of wood goes back generations. His old-school craftsmanship has been noted in several nationwide design magazines and newspaper publications, landing Frank numerous awards and design recognitions.
At the same time, his expertise in reproducing vintage architectural pieces has been sought out by historical preservation societies, high-end property owners, along with top-tier restaurants and hotels.
Frank’s grandfather on his mother’s side was a trained woodworker in the old-masters style who, when he arrived in America from Italy, got a job as a union carpenter in New York; whereas his Kansas raised father had carpentry skills as well.
Hence, young Frank quickly learned valuable trade skills from both men when working together on various projects. Born and raised in New York, the budding young carpenter’s multinational heritage equipped him suitably with an Italian artistic sensitivity for colour, texture and form, and a Scottish strong work ethics and perseverance in difficulty – both sides informing and guiding his work.
When Frank was twenty seven, he and his wife Marybeth decided move to Jim Thorpe, a town they visited frequently as a young couple, and considered a perfect place to raise a family. When asked what motivated him to become a woodcrafting expert, Frank simply answered: I guess it’s the artist in me and wood is my material. I’m working with wood like a painter with canvas, or a Sculptor works with marble, mine is wood. I guess it started with my grandfather, who taught me that if you are going to do something, do it right, and take pride in what you do. My mom always said that since I was a little boy, I knew where to put my hands and my eyes, as if my hands and my mind were one. Others recall Frank as being very artistic at an early age, and particularly good with puzzles.
One of Jamison’s most prominent architectural constructs, and one of Jim Thorpe’s favorite tourist attractions is the Rotary Club Gazebo, erected in 2008 in the heart of town at Hazard Square. Constructed of white oak over a period of three months and lovingly painted, it marked a nationwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary Clubs in this country.
Each branch was challenged to do something significant in their town, so the Jim Thorpe Rotary Club chose Jamison Woodcrafts to tackle their anniversary project. Frank felt honored and privileged, I was asked to make it look like it was built back in the 1800s, when the town first originated, Frank explains, so I walked up and down Broadway looking at the architecture to influence my design, and this is what I came up with.
Well, bravissimo! The gazebo Jamison has created, with all its colors and architectural details, could not fit Jim Thorpe’s nostalgically historic atmosphere more appropriately, as it draws rather elegantly on the town’s Victorian past and Mauch Chunk splendour (even Asa Packer would approve).
In my work, I put my heart and soul into it, Frank confesses candidly, because I’m a perfectionist, and my work ethics require me do it right the first time.
With over 50 years of experience as a carpenter and master woodworker, Jamison is also a certified auto and diesel mechanic, plays a guitar, likes to draw, and does intricate glass etchings in his spare time – and, when his busy schedule permits it, he hops on his Road King and goes for a ride around the countryside.
Throughout the years, many historical restorations and ‘old-world style’ reproductions were completed along with high-end modern commissions – filling the Jamison Woodcrafts portfolio with extraordinary examples. There were sets designed and built for the theater, churches renovated, as well as vineyards, bars, restaurants and hotels spruced up.
Among the highlights: the Harry Packer mansion, the Railroad Station, the Inn at Jim Thorpe, the Mary Packer Chapel, the Jim Thorpe Treasure Shop, the Dimmick Memorial Library, Mauch Chunk Ink, etc. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find a historically relevant building in Jim Thorpe that hasn’t been touched by the mighty Jamison Woodcrafts, whose guiding motto affirms: if you can dream it, I can build it.
Over the years, Frank and his team have received many awards: Certificate of Appreciation from the Carbon County Builders Association; Certificate of Appreciation from the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps Department of Labor and Industry; Builder of the Month Award from the Carbon Builders Association, and an Award of Wolverine Excellence in recognition of outstanding contractors for their quality of workmanship.
In the article Victorian Details Transform ‘50s Service Station Adele Field, editor of Design magazine wrote regarding transformation of the building now housing Whitewater Rafting Adventures: “The enchanting Victorian ambiance of Jim Thorpe is a source of local pride and an important draw for tourists.
An old run-down 1950s gas station was a blight on the otherwise carefully restored and preserved downtown area. Now transformed to replicate an 1800s garage. […] Renovation by local constructor and craftsman Frank Jamison and architect Clay Smart was a result of research to achieve period accuracy, and Jamison’s personal fascination with historical preservation.”
I get a lot of satisfaction out of making people happy, confesses Frank sheepishly, it does my heart good. I do believe that’s why I was put on this Earth and that’s why I moved to this town, because this is where I was needed. I consider myself very lucky and blessed.
He truly is one of a kind, and there are very few carpenters and woodworking experts around who can provide such a broad range of services, work in any style, and be capable of recreating any unique motif, or solve any visual problem with that old-fashioned meticulousness.
Early craftsmen helped to make significant contributions to the advancement of cultures, and today experts like Frank try to preserve it. You can reach Jamison Woodcraft at (610) 393-1085, send an email: jamisonwoodcraft@gmail.com, follow on facebook: jamison.woodcraft, or check out his website: jamisonwoodcraft.com.
Yvonne Wright is the owner of STUDIO YNW at 100 West Broadway in Jim Thorpe.
She can be reached at studio.ynw@gmail.com
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