Henry

Craftsperson I

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Henry brings a background rooted in woodworking, historic preservation, and hands-on craftsmanship. He attended art school before spending a summer interning at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking.

Following his internship, he spent five years working at a history museum, where he repaired 200-year-old buildings and built furniture and traditional farm tools. That experience gave him an appreciation for both the history behind well-made objects and the hand skills required to preserve and create them.

At Van Dam, Henry especially enjoys projects that allow him to work with hand tools. Outside of the shop, he enjoys birdwatching and hiking with his fiancée, as well as sewing, bookbinding, and restoring antique tools. He also has a strong interest in local history and enjoys learning the stories of the places and communities around him. Henry and his fiancée, who is a painter, share their home with two cats who, according to Henry, “only step in paint sometimes.”

Born and raised: Indianapolis, Indiana, on the banks of the White River

Favorite projects to work on: Any project where I can use hand tools.

Favorite Fundamental: #8 – Make Quality Personal. Take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?”

Best thing about working at Van Dam: The community — my teammates, our customers, and our neighbors in Northern Michigan.