On 18 June 1968, Connecticut Governor John Dempsey announced that Eric Sloane would donate his early American tool collection to the state of Connecticut. True, Eric’s fascination with early American tools began c. 1952 after his purchase of an 18th century farmhouse in Brookfield, Connecticut. Yet it was Eric’s “placements” – consisting of early American hand tools and several early 19th century almanacs mounted to an antique barn board backing – where the artist synthesized his conception of tools as an art form. From Wil Mauch’s “Symbols of American Spirit: 50 Years of the Eric Sloane Museum”, used by permission.

To learn more about the Friends of the Eric Sloane Museum and our mission to assist in the preservation and interpretation of the Eric Sloane Museum and its collection, please visit the Friends of the Eric Sloane Museum homepage. While you’re there, please consider donating online to our new Hands-on! classroom project.