Every souvenir spoon collector has at least one, if not several dozen, souvenir spoons made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in his/her collection. Additionally many collectors set their dinner tables with a Gorham flatware pattern, serve asparagus with a Gorham made server and tuck linen napkins in Gorham napkin rings.

Founded in 1831 in Providence, the Gorham Company grew from a small shop making coin silver spoons to the largest maker of silverware in the world. In his book, Gorham Silver 1831-1981, Charles Carpenter noted that "Gorham so dominated American Silver in the last part of the nineteenth and early twentieth century that, in a very real way, the story of silver and related metalwares made by them is the story of this American art."

While the silver objects that we collect are the visible and tangible legacy of this great company, equally important for all collectors are the Archives of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, given to Brown University by Textron in 1988. [The John Hay Library is named for Lincoln's Secretary of State, whose bronze bus in the entry hall has its nose rubbed shiny for luck by students]. These archives are one of the largest surviving industrial archives and reflect the firm's rich artistic heritage. In 1986, Samuel Hough, owner of The Owl at the Bridge, was hired to organize and appraise the Gorham archives — much of which had been rescued from the "trash" by a number of unsung heroes. After nine months of intensive work by a team of researchers, Mr. Hough produced a 500-page inventory of its contents — a major roadmap to the labyrinthine collection of original Gorham documents

Our Retreat program has been designed to provide an intimate encounter with Gorham's legacy, its inner workings preserved in the records (account books, daily registers, photographs, inventories, etc.) that are now preserved in the stacks of the John Hayes Library on the campus of Brown University.

The Rhode Island School of Design [abbreviated RISD — locally pronounced riz-dee — and located just a block down the hill from the Gorham Archive Collection on the Brown campus] has recently acquired a superb collection of Gorham souvenir spoons which were displayed (until it closed) in the Factory of the Gorham Mfg. Company: round bowls, cast and embossed spoons and countless other examples of well-known and rare Gorham spoons — all of which will be on display for Retreat attendees to examine.


FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND — EVERYTHING GORHAM

MORNING SESSION

9:30 am. Welcome and Introductions at the John Hayes Library, Brown University.

10:00 – 12:00: The Gorham Archives: Their Contents, History and Organization by Samuel Hough, Archivist. Participants will have hands-on experience and a tour through the Archives in the stacks of the John Hayes Library where the Archives are housed.

12:00 – 1:30: Lunch (on your own)

AFTERNOON SESSION

1:30: Welcome and Introductions at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum .

2:00 – 4:00: The Gorham Souvenir Spoon Collection and Gorham Holloware in the RSDI Collection. Jayne E. Stokes, Acting Curator of Decorative Arts will be in charge of the tour through the collection where participants will be able to examine first hand the holdings.

4:30 – Informal Gathering of participants in the ASC Spooners Room.

6:30 – Reception and Banquet


SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD — ALL ROADS LEAD TO GORHAM

As citizens of the Roman Empire knew that "all roads led to Rome" so souvenir spoon collectors recognize Gorham (and Providence) as the mecca of sumptuous silverware. Today our itinerant program on the roads and byways of Providence will take us to two locations where we will encounter the nitty-gritty of the production of those exquisite silver pieces we have seen at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Transportation to these locations will be arranged (or participants with cars will be given driving instructions).

Our meandering program today will take us past the former site of the Gorham Manufacturing Company (now a huge shopping mall dominated by a Stop & Shop grocery store) where we will be able to see the one remaining building of the "glory days of the company" — the Carriage House (dilapidated to be sure but an architectural gem under restoration).

Our morning program will find us at the Providence Jewelry Museum founded by Peter Di Cristofaro who has collected together machinery and artifacts of jewelry and silver manufacture. When Gorham closed its Elmwood Factory, Di Cristofaro was able to obtain hundreds of rolls, dies and other objects — beautiful works of art in themselves and distinctive for silver manufacturers because the skill and cost required to make such objects was beyond the possibilities of any small shop.

The Providence Jewelry Museum houses a broad representation of fine and fashion jewelry from the 18th century to the present. Holdings also include samplings of related pieces, such as match safes, pen and fruit knives, card cases, dresser items and similar pieces. While some individual pieces may have literally "traveled the world," in many instances their origins lie in Providence and its environs. In the Providence Jewelry Museum the engine turning machines are still operational. The Providence Jewelry Museum houses a variety of this type of machinery. The earliest one dates from the 1840s and was made in Switzerland. American manufacturers subsequently produced their own engine turning equipment to satisfy domestic demand.

Following lunch (on your own) we will spend time at two sites:

[1] A warehouse where Peter Di Cristofaro has a menagerie of wonderful old silver machine and dies. Here "real" machines (in operation) will show us how it was done. Participants will be able to have a spoon made from a real die — how many Gorham spoons would you like made? Details about "having a spoon made" will be sent to all participants who register: a list of particular spoons available to be made is being assembled.

[2] Society of American Silversmiths [SAS] with Jeffrey Herman. Founded in 1989, SAS is the nation's only professional organization solely devoted to the preservation and promotion of contemporary silversmithing, especially in the areas of holloware, flatware and sculpture. The archives have 1400 slides, 400 photographs and a maker's mark registry for identification. The SAS program will be informal and informative.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO GORHAM

MORNING SESSION

10:00 – 12:00 — Tour and program at the Providence Jewelry Museum by Peter Di Cristofaro

12:00 – 1:00: Lunch (on your own)

AFTERNOON SESSION

1:30 – 4:30 –
[1] Tour of the Warehouse Program under the direction of Peter Di Cristofaro.

[2] Society of American Silversmith Program under the direction of Jeffrey Herman.

SPECIAL PROGRAM FEATURE — GORHAM ANTIQUE ROAD SHOW

Individuals registering for this ASC EVERYTHING GORHAM PROGRAM will have the opportunity to submit in advance of meeting questions related to Gorham silvers items (spoons, holloware, sculpture etc) which are in the possession of the registrant. Details about submission of items will be included in the Registration Confirmation Packet. (You may also bring the item[s] with you to Providence to share with other attendees).

Additional information, contact: Robert M. Wilhelm - American Spoon Collectors,
P.O. Box 243, Rhinecliff, NY 12574-0243. Telephone: 845-876-0303. Fax: 845-876-2037.
E-mail: campania@hvc.rr.com

How to Register For The ASC Retreat

Please complete as soon as possible the Registration Form and mail it with your check (or money order) made payable to: American Spoon Collectors. See the Registration Form at the end of this document (Scroll down).

Send to:

American Spoon Collectors
Attention: Robert M. Wilhelm
P.O. Box 243
Rhinecliff, NY 12574-0243

Alternative form of Payment through PayPal. You may submit your Registration Payment through PayPal. Please note, however, that ASC can only accept cash from your PayPal Account or directly from your bank account. Send your PayPal payment to:

campania@hvc.rr.com

Hotel Information for

American Spoon Collectors Conference Retreat Meeting

June 23-24, 2006

Providence, Rhode Island

Hotel Retreat Location in Providence. The Warwick-Days Inn Cranston will be the site of the ASC Retreat. The address is:

Warwick-Days Inn Cranston
101 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Telephone 401-942-4200
Fax: 401-943-8807

The Warwick-Days Inn Cranston features the following amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Hair Dryer in room, Ice Machine, Safe Deposit Box, Ca-ble television.

ROOM RATE: An extremely favorable Single & Double room rate (for Providence) has been negotiated for June, 22, 23, & 24: $98.10 per night, plus tax (Rooms have one King or Two Double Beds). Additional Rates: Triple Rate: $107.10; Quad Rate: $116.10. Depending upon availability, this rate is available for June 21 and June 25. Please note that your hotel reservation includes a complimentary breakfast.

RESERVATIONS. There are two options:

(1) Call the Toll Free number: 800-241-2340. Give the following Reservation Code number to obtain the negotiated rates. Reservation Code Number: 72359297. You will need to give your credit card to guarantee your reservation and you should ask for a confirmation number.

(2) Call the Warwick-Days Inn Cranston directly: 336-544-3333. Give the following Reservation Code number to obtain the negotiated rates. Reservation Code Number: 72359297. You will need to give your credit card to guarantee your reservation and you should ask for a confirmation number.

Deadline for Hotel Reservations. Hotel reservations must be made by Monday, May 15, 2006 after which time the reserved rooms will be returned to the hotel.

Cancellation of Reservations at Hotel. Cancellation may be make up to 48 hours prior to arrival without penalty. In the event of a cancellation, obtain a cancellation number. ASC is not responsible in the event you do not cancel your reservation and do not check into the hotel

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Airline Arrivals: The Days Inn is located ap-proximately 10 miles from the T.F. Green Airport in Providence, RI. Shuttle service and taxis are available at the airport to transfer to the hotel.

Special Discounted Airfares for ASC Retreat are available through
Travel Four, Inc.
482 Notch Rd.,
West Paterson, NJ 07424
Telephone: 877-812-4949

When you call this toll free number you will get a recording asking you to punch in an extension. Punch in "0" for the receptionist and then ask for Toni Villano who will be able to assist you with the ASC Retreat special discounted airfares.

Car Arrivals
Warwick-Days Inn Cranston is located at 101 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 about 20 minutes (8 miles) drive from Brown University which is located on Providence's East Side, the hill to the east of downtown. Driving directions to the hotel are the following:

Airport
From T.F Green Airport, take 95 N to Exit 14B (Rt 37 West Cranston. Follow Route 37 West to Exit 2B (Rt. 2 North). Hotel is located 3/4 mile on left.

Arriving on 95 South
Take Exit 14B Go right onto 37 west (Cranston) Take Exit 2B (Rt. 2 North). Hotel is located 3/4 mile on the left.

Arriving on 95 North
Take Exit 14 B (Rt 37 West Cranston) Follow route 37 West to Exit 2 B (Re. 2 North). Hotel is located 3/4 mile on the left.

Arriving from I-295
I-295 - Exit 3A to 37 East. Take exit 2B, hotel is 1/2 mile on left side.

Check the Internet under "Warwick-Days Inn Cranston" for additional information and maps.

ASC Banquet — Friday, June 23rd at 6:30 pm
The ASC Banquet, preceded by a Reception, will be held on the Brown University campus in the Executive Dining Room.

Antiques in Providence. Participants registering for the Retreat will receive a list of antique shops in the area. There are a large number, many of which have silver. Pre- and post-Retreat time (June 22 & 25) will offer participants an opportunity to go antiquing.

REGISTRATION FORM

AMERICAN SPOON COLLECTORS RETREAT
— EVERYTHING GORHAM —

JUNE 23-24, 2006
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, MAY 15, 2006

Last Name: _______________ First name: ______________________ Middle Initial: _________

Last Name: _______________ First name: ______________________ Middle Initial: _________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone: __________________________________ Fax: _______________________

Evening Phone: _________________________ E-mail: _________________________

Registration Information for Retreat (June 23 – 24, inclusive)

Retreat Registration Fee (ASC Members) $100.00 per person x ___ (# of persons) = ________
(Includes: All Retreat Activities at Brown University, Entrance Fees to Museums,
Access to Spooners Room at Brown University, Friday Banquet at Brown University)

Retreat Registration Fee (Non-ASC Members) $120.00 per person x ___ (# of persons) = ________
(Includes: All Retreat Activities at Brown University, Entrance Fees to Museums,
Access to Spooners Room at Brown University, Friday Banquet at Brown University
and Spooners Forum Subscription for 2006-2007)

Individual Day & Banquet Registration Information

Retreat Registration Fee for Friday, June 23rd $75.00 per person x ___ (# of persons) = ________
(Includes: Entrance Fees to Museums and Retreat Activities during the day [excludes Banquet]).

Banquet Only Fee for Friday, June 23rd: $39.00 per person x ___ (# of persons) = ________

Retreat Registration Fee for Saturday, June 24th $75.00 per person x ___ (# of persons) = ________
(Includes: Entrance Fees to Museums, Retreat Activities during the day & transportation to sites).

Total Amount Enclosed _______________

Make check payable to: American Spoon Collectors

Send to:

American Spoon Collectors

Attention: Robert M. Wilhelm

P.O. Box 243

Rhinecliff, NY 12574-0243

ALTERNATIVE FORM OF PAYMENT THROUGH PAYPAL. You may submit your Registration Payment through PayPal. Please note, however, that ASC can accept only cash from your PayPal Account or directly from your bank account. Send your PayPal payment to: campania@hvc.rr.com

Cancellations and Refunds. The Retreat Registration Fee is refundable until Monday, May 15, 2006 (less a $30.00 cancellation penalty). Cancellations must be submitted in writing and received no later than Monday, May 15th, 2006. After Monday, May 15, 2006, the Retreat Registration Fee is non-refundable.

For anyone interested in trip cancellation insurance, this is available through Access America. If you are interested in this trip cancellation insurance, please request the Trip Cancellation Registration Forms when you submit your ASC Registration Fee payment.

____ Please send Access America Trip Cancellation Forms.

Registrations Must Be Received by Monday, May 15, 2006