Worldwide Wheelwright home: Wheelwright’s shop

Welcome to my project Worldwide Wheelwright!

What is Worldwide Wheelwright about?… During my years as a Wheelwright I have come across many adversities that have compromised the sustainability of the trade. For many generations Wheelwrighting in the UK has relied on three timbers, Oak, Ash and Elm. Sourcing these local timbers has become increasingly difficult thanks to factors such as Dutch Elm disease and poor woodland management. Add to this a lack of advancement in Wheelwrighting techniques due to a decline in the use of horse drawn vehicles and we may potentially lose the skill forever.

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Day 1 - Newark, Delaware: 39.650629, -75.749100

Day 1 - Chesapeake Bay: 38.997202, -76.393138

Day 1 - Colonial Williamsburg: 37.279169, -76.698754

Day 2 - Colonial Williamsburg: 37.278744, -76.697662

Day 9 Wintergreen: 37.929884, -78.941740

Day 10 Pittsburgh: 40.440625, -79.995886

Day 11 Ohio Stutzmans Amish Wheelwrights shop: 40.440066, -81.699016

Day 11 Jymm Hoffmans forge masterclass: 40.589234, -80.225060

Day 12 stopover near Cincinnati : 38.998950, -84.626611

day 13 visit to Harley Chandlers coach shop: 39.068739, -84.867396

Day 13 stop over near champaign.: 40.116420, -88.243383

Day 15 Walnut grove visit: 44.223069, -95.469658

Day 14 long drive and stopover in Marshall: 44.448423, -95.791192

Day 16 drive to Mitchell South Dakota: 43.709428, -98.029799

Day 17 Mitchell South Dakota Hansen Wheel and Wagon: 43.897207, -98.138694

Day 18 Dakota Discovery Centre and Clark Martineks Blacksmiths shop Mitchell SD: 43.709428, -98.029799

Day 19 Rapid City South Dakota: 44.080543, -103.231015

Day 20 Journey Museum Rapid City: 44.086507, -103.218248

Day 21 Mount Rushmore and Custer state park: 43.879102, -103.459067

Day 21 Custer State Park: 43.715608, -103.483926

Day 22 Rapid city to Cody: 44.406375, -104.375782

Day 23 Buffalo Bill Centre of the West, Cody, Wyoming: 44.525616, -109.073314

Day 24 Yellowstone National Park: 44.460479, -110.828138

Day 24 West Yellowstone stopover: 44.662149, -111.104109

Day 25 to 28 Stopover at Lolo: 46.727778, -114.530556

Day 28 Moscow Idaho: 46.732387, -117.000165

Day 29 to 31 Raymond, Washington: 46.686489, -123.732938

Day 32 Forks Timber Museum: 47.936610, -124.393997

Day 34 Leaving the USA: 47.450250, -122.308816

Day 35 Calgary, Canada... on way to a surprise visit...: 50.725494, -113.974947

The Remington Carriage centre, last minute addition to the project! : 49.193638, -113.305030

Worldwide Wheelwright aims to study the skills and practices of American Wheelwrights both current and past in the hope of finding alternative resources and methods for the future of Wheelwrighting in the UK. My Journey begins in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia and ends at the North West Carraige museum, Washington State. I will be visiting various sites across the USA from working Wheelwrights shops to museums and sites of interest. You can follow my Journey through Worldwidewheelwright.com or social media where I will be posting regular video blogs and updates. Please also keep track through my interactive map (above). This project is with thanks to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights. Please spread the word about this project, I hope that the knowledge I will bring back from my journey will be interesting and valuable for both Wheelwrights and enthusiasts for years to come.

Please click on the link below to view my final report:

Worldwide Wheelwright Report

The Wheelwright | documentary from Sam Birch on Vimeo. Catch Master Wheelwright Phill Gregson at his Wheelwright’s Shop in Lancashire, England. In this film we follow the journey of a new wheel through the workshop, working with old machinery, hand tools and Bear and Arnie, Phill’s pair of working horses.

Find us at Wheelwrights Shop on Facebook to see more up to date videos and projects.