Iowa has many interesting and unique attractions, and there are all kinds of hidden places just waiting to be explored. One of those places is a historic furniture shop and museum that celebrates the old ways. And, there’s a secret, hidden surprise waiting for you inside.
RVP~1875 Historic Furniture Shop and Museum is truly one-of-a-kind. The shop is a “working museum,” and claims to build the strongest furniture in the world.
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The shop has won several awards.
Facebook/Rvp~1875 Named 2013 Outstanding Tourism Business, 2015 Outstanding Retail Experience and 2016 Outstanding Tourism Attraction by the Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa, this place is a must visit.
The shop’s owner, Robby Pedersen, is a Master Furniture Maker and believes that to replicate furniture from a certain era, one must use the same tools, dyes and finishes from that time.
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Because of this philosophy, he uses only old-school tools and techniques in crafting furniture that date all the way back to 1875.
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As part of the living museum, you’ll actually get to see people wearing old-fashioned clothes, and demonstrating the old tools and techniques that were used back in that time.
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The dyes and finishes that are used are from historical recipes, with boiled ingredients like walnut hulls, berries, linseed and beeswax.
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Pedersen actually cuts down trees for the wood that he uses to make into beautiful, high quality furniture.
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The shop features over 100 pieces of furniture. Many of the pieces actually convert into other kinds of furniture, as well.
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To add even more interest to this amazing shop, there’s actually a theatre, hidden inside.
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At the back of the building, you’ll find the History Boy Theatre Co., where the theatre group performs musicals.
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RVP~1875 Historic Furniture Shop and Museum is located at 115 South Wilson Ave., Jefferson, IA. The hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 9am to 5pm. Call 515-370-4306 for the theatre’s schedule.
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Named 2013 Outstanding Tourism Business, 2015 Outstanding Retail Experience and 2016 Outstanding Tourism Attraction by the Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa, this place is a must visit.
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Have you been to this unique shop? What did you think? For more of Iowa’s amazing destinations, here are The 15 Places You Should Go In Iowa In 2017.
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