From 1971 through 1977 this group remained one of three regional groups of EAIA-West. As with any new organization, there were lots of growing pains. It was difficult to attract and sustain the "critical mass" necessary to keep going and to grow. However, it did survive and grow through the continued support of a handful of faithful. By the fall of 1977 things looked pretty promising and there was a move afoot to become an independent organization. The Pacific Northwest Tool Collectors was formed and parted amicably from EAIA-West.

At the start, meetings were held somewhat irregularly but generally quarterly. Because of the club’s modest size, meetings usually took place in a member’s home and featured that members collection. The smaller size also allowed for visits to various museums and craftsman’s shops. As PNTC has grown, these activities have been supplanted with speakers, demonstrations, and displays at the regular meeting locations. The first regular meeting at the Federal Center in Seattle was in 1983. Keith’s barn became a regular Oregon location starting in 1988.

 Almost since the beginning there has been one major multi-day meeting every few years. At first they followed the pattern established by EAIA-West to have a big summer meeting every third year in each of their regions. Later they became the Best In The West meetings occurring every two years. As a part of EAIA-West, meetings were held in Portland in 1973, Eugene in 1976 and Yakima in 1979. These joint meetings had good attendance by California members. A PNTC meeting was held in Tacoma in 1982 which also had good California member attendance. The first Best In The West was held in Portland in 1985. Since then, Best In The West meetings have been held in Seattle in 1988, 1990, and 1992, in Portland in 1994, and in Seattle again in 1996.

 Over the years the meetings have produced many interesting programs. There were visits to the Aurora Colony Museum, the Burke Museum, the Washington State Historical Society, the Shoreline History Museum, the Oregon Historical Society, the Mission Mill Museum in Salem, the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle and the History Museum in Yakima. The club visited a violin maker’s shop in Seattle; wooden boat builder’s shops in Tacoma and Gig Harbor; and the blacksmith shop at the Weyerhaeuser sawmill in Longview. Outside speakers gave talks and/or demonstrations on coopering, wheel making, pattern making, metal spinning, turning, carving, blacksmithing, knife making, and logging. There was a memorable illustrated talk and demonstration on Northwest Coast Indian woodworking by Bill Holm of the Burke Museum. Members have contributed talks on their special interests and expertise; for example, Bob Kaune on Bedrock planes, Dave Englund on 18th century planes and Mel Miller on Davis levels. Theme-of-the-day displays and descriptions have turned up many bits of special knowledge.

 Of course, meetings were always a place to buy, sell and trade tools. Very early in the club’s history the silent auction was introduced. This unique approach grew out of a desire to make all tools available, or at least visible, to all people who came to the meetings. Because the club covers a wide geography it was not possible for everyone to get to meetings early. Latecomers were missing out on purchases or even the opportunity to view tools that quickly disappeared from view after being purchased. Many tools never made it out of the parking lot. The silent auction approach has been a mainstay of the PNTC.

 For many years the club operated without any bylaws, dues or formally elected officers. To cover expenses a hat was passed at each meeting for donations. Officers were whoever was willing to serve which is generally still the case although the "volunteers" are now formally elected instead of by acclamation. In 25 years ten people have served as president as follows: Ken Bassett, ‘71, ‘72, ‘74, ‘75, ‘76; Dave Englund, ‘73; Bob Durham, ‘77, ‘78; Jerry Billings, '79, ‘80; Jack Birky, ‘81, ‘82, ‘94, ‘95; Paul Marmont, ‘83; Rich Corbat, ‘84; Steve Dice, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89; Darrell Six, ‘90, ‘91; Jim Sebring, ‘92, ‘93, ‘96, ‘97. The bylaws were adopted in 1993.

 At the start, communications were focused on meeting announcements mailed out before each meeting. The first newsletter was published in 1981 with Jack Birky as editor, a position he has held continuously ever since. The club did, however, undertake one significant publishing effort. In 1973, "Tools From Pacific Northwest Collections, Group I, 1973" was published. This publication pictured some of the better tools from various member collections. Although this was a club effort, the leadership of a few stands out. Paul Marmont undertook the big job of editing and overseeing the publishing. George Rolstad took, developed, and printed all of the photos. Many members had a hand in selecting the tools. The book came out at a time when there were few publications available on old tools and thus enjoyed a good market. It also earned some significant money for the treasury. There were plans for a Group II and some photos were taken; however, it never came to be. By that time there were other publications on the market and the momentum was lost.

 In 1971 the club roster showed 32 names. This grew slowly at first with just 57 members five years later in 1976. By five year increments, it was 103 in 1981, 163 in 1986, 260 in 1991 and about 460 today. From the start there was strong participation from both Oregon and Washington. The first British Columbia members joined in the early 80’s and they now host a meeting every few years in Vancouver, BC. Seventeen people have been members for 20 years or longer. They are: Ken Bassett, Jerry Billings, Mic Casciato, Mitch Dakin, Fred Dau, Steve Dice, Dave Englund, Dudley Foreman (deceased), Dick Goins, Ken Hall, Stan Jurgensen, Bob Kaune, Mel Larson, Paul Marmont (deceased), Vince Milligan, Keith Rumgay and Ray Salter.

 The PNTC is today one of the many active regional tool collecting organizations in North America. It is definitely in good health starting its second twenty-five years.

Ken Bassett

11/22/96