Old Sturbridge Village Opens Exhibit Displaying Dexter - Russell Knives

Friday, October 02, 2015

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

A pocket lancet by Henry Harrington.

On the Cutting Edge of History exhibit has opened at Sturbridge Village and explores the history of Massachusetts-made knives from the 19th century to the present. The exhibit will be open trough December 31, 2015.

On display will be dozens of expertly-crafted knives and cutting instruments from the nearly two centuries-old Dexter-Russell, Inc. of Southbridge, Massachusetts.

"The 'cutler to the people' would be proud. The exhibit includes some of Harrington's tools and both finished and unfinished knives, as well as dozens of historic knives from John Russell's Green River Knife Works, contrasted with many modern adoptions of unique historic designs," said Tom Kelleher, Old Sturbridge Village Historian and Curator of Mechanical Arts.

The Dexter-Russell exhibit at Old Sturbridge Village explores not only the fine craftsmanship of products, but also the history of these home-grown Massachusetts companies, and the personal history of the families that operated them.

The exhibit includes an example of a Barlow knife, shoe making knives and shavers.

Admission to On the Cutting Edge of History: Dexter-Russell Knives is included with regular admittance to Old Sturbridge Village, $24 adults, $22 seniors, $10 for youth and is free for children under 3.

Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. The village is a collection of over 40 historic buildings including homes, meetinghouses, trade shops, working farms and three water powered mills.

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