What an honor to have a tour by Mira Nakashima. It really is quite a thrill to be on the grounds of George Nakashima's woodworking Studios. You don't see anybody working on any of the air projects today. But we could see in the buildings their very tidy works spaces. It's great to hear the stories and to hear her memories & her dad's history. New Hope is so lucky to still have this . The new Hope experiment lives! So creative and so comforting to have this art even to this day. And to know that George Nakashima built all of these buildings! I've come before and I swear I learned new things this trip! You get to tour many of the buildings on the compound. And you're gonna have a wonderful moment in the end if you'd like... There is a gift shop!! It really is so special and I recommend it wholeheartedly. read more

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Located in New Hope, PA, the George Nakashima Woodworker Complex is a National Historic Site of the National Park Service. It is the final home and workshop for the amazing woodwork designs and creative energies of Mr. Nakashima who was world renowned for his appreciation of trees and of giving them a second life through timeless natural constructed furniture. His 12 acre compound on Aquetong Road consists of 21 shops, studios, galleries and warehousing of wood collected around the world and stored there until he or his family and craftsmen discovered the beauty within the rough hewn tree trunks and create one of a kind masterpieces that would last forever. His daughter Mira now runs the enterprise and remains actively engaged in its operation. Born in Washington State in 1905, George received a worldwide education including stops in Paris, Spokane, Cambridge, MA, New York, North Africa, Japan and India. He was instrumental in developing the International Style architecture in the 1920s and 30s. He painted the murals on the New York Capitol Building and designed/constructed the ashram of Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry, India. His exploration of Japanese culture and design philosophy led him to furniture design and craftsmanship which would become the focus of his life's work. During World War II he was forced to live in a relocation camp in Idaho until released by petition to the government by the Dean of MIT and a previous employer, Antonin Raymond. This brought him to Bucks County in 1943 to live on Raymond's farm with his family. Three years later he purchased 3 acres of land nearby to build his homestead and workshop. As his family grew (son Kevin), he purchased more land and expanded the complex through the 1970s to the present 12 acres. He infused aspects of traditional Japanese architecture with the simpler International Style, that was heavily influenced at that time by utopian Frank Lloyd Wright. The buildings are smoothly integrated with the natural elements of the land - hills and vales; streams and flora. A visit to this national treasure brings you into intimate contact with his work and ideas. A walk around leaves you feeling like George is at your side. His daughter Mira still lives and works in the same place and space as her father. Meeting her was one of the magical moments of my life. "Kodama" (Spirit of a Tree) A feeling of special kinship with the heart of the tree. ~ George Nakashima "The wood is our muse and our palette; its shapes and colors speak to those who listen." ~ Mira Nakashima read more

George Nakashima is amazingly talented. George Nakashima is also dead and has been for a long time. You will, unfortunately, not be getting him to work on any of your wood anytime soon. read more

Since George Nakashima's death in 1990, his two children Mira and Kevin have continued to design and create beautiful furniture at their New Hope property. They have also been joined by the next generation with the addition of Mira's son Ru. They have an open house almost every Saturday afternoon at their workshop and design studio in New Hope. For more information, visit their website: http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com// read more