Norm Abram
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Norman L. Abram (born October 3, 1949) is an American
carpenter Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, Shipbuilding, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. ...
, writer, and television host best known for his work on the
PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...
television programs ''
This Old House ''This Old House'' is an American home improvement media brand with television shows, a magazine, and a websiteThisOldHouse.com. The brand is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The television series airs on the American television networ ...
'' and '' The New Yankee Workshop''. He is a master carpenter and has published several books and articles about the craft.


Early life and education

Abram was born in
Woonsocket, Rhode Island Woonsocket ( ), is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 43,240 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Being Rhode Island's northernmost city, Woonsock ...
, and raised in
Milford, Massachusetts Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 30,379 according to the 2020 census. First settled in 1662 and incorporated in 1780, Milford became a booming industrial and quarrying community in the 19th c ...
, where he attended high school. His father was a carpenter, who taught his son many of his practical skills. Norm first worked on a client's site at the age of 9, helping his father install hardwood floors. He worked with his father during summer vacations in high school and college. Abram initially studied
mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, and ...
at the
University of Massachusetts Amherst The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst, UMass) is a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the sole public land-grant university in Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1863 as an agricultural college, it ...
, where he became a brother of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. He found theoretical engineering courses to be uninteresting, and switched to studying
business administration Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of management ...
. He realized that he enjoyed practical hands-on work, and left UMass just short of degree.


Career


Early career

After leaving college, Abram worked for three years for a multimillion-dollar New England-based construction firm, and was rapidly promoted to a position as a site supervisor. In 1976, Abram went into business for himself, founding the
general contracting A general contractor, main contractor or prime contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and the communication of information to all involved parties throughout the course of ...
firm Integrated Structures Inc. and operating it until 1989. His first major independent project was building a general store on
Nantucket Nantucket () is an island about south from Cape Cod. Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the Town and County of Nantucket, a combined county/town government that is part of the U.S. state of Massachuse ...
.


''This Old House''

In 1979, Norm Abram took a construction job building a small barn/garage/toolshed/workshop in the backyard of television producer
Russell Morash Russell Morash (born February 11, 1936) is an American television producer and television director, director. Morash's many television programs are produced through WGBH-TV, WGBH and airing on Public Broadcasting Service, PBS. Early life Morash ...
, who had produced
Julia Child Julia Carolyn Child (née McWilliams; August 15, 1912 – August 13, 2004) was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality. She is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, '' ...
's popular cooking program '' The French Chef'' for
WGBH-TV WGBH-TV (channel 2), branded on-air as GBH or GBH 2 since 2020, is the primary PBS member television station in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is the flagship property of the WGBH Educational Foundation, which also owns Boston's sec ...
in Boston. Impressed by Abram's small scrap pile and efficient work habits, Morash invited Abram to help with the renovation of a rundown Victorian house in Dorchester. A WGBH camera crew recorded the process for the first ''
This Old House ''This Old House'' is an American home improvement media brand with television shows, a magazine, and a websiteThisOldHouse.com. The brand is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The television series airs on the American television networ ...
'' project, hosted by
Bob Vila Robert Joseph Vila (born June 20, 1946) is an American home improvement television show host known for ''This Old House'' (1979–1989), ''Bob Vila's Home Again'' (1990–2005), and ''Bob Vila'' (2005–2007). Early life and education Vila, a C ...
. Morash then asked Abram to appear as a regular on ''This Old House'', and Abram has become a fixture on the show ever since. On May 19, 2022, it was announced that after 43 years, Abram would retire from the show. A one-hour special titled ''The House that Norm Built'' aired online and on PBS stations on October 3, 2022, surveying his career with the program.


''The New Yankee Workshop''

In 1988, Morash planned to launch a spinoff of ''This Old House'' called '' The New Yankee Workshop'', featuring Abram. They needed a convenient place to videotape, and used the shop in the small building that Abram built in 1979 in Morash's backyard. The shop's layout and equipment were expanded and adapted to match Abram's preferences, in a space measuring . ''The New Yankee Workshop'' was first aired in 1989 with Abram as the host. The program showcased furniture or other projects and emphasized classic, elegant designs, made using a combination of simple handtools and newer power tools and equipment. The show aired for 21 seasons on PBS, then was suspended indefinitely as Abram decided to focus on other projects.


Other projects

Abram is on the board of trustees of
Old Sturbridge Village Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts which recreates life in rural New England during the 1790s through 1830s. It is the largest living museum in New England, covering more than 200 acres (81 hectares). T ...
in
Sturbridge, Massachusetts Sturbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is home to Old Sturbridge Village living history museum and other sites of historical interest such as Tantiusques. The population was 9,867 at the 2020 census, with mo ...
. He delivered the 2001 commencement speech at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, which is renowned for its commitment to teaching craftsmanship. He has also contributed to efforts to train younger students in the building trades, such as the Generation NEXT
apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a Tradesman, trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners ...
program. Abram also voiced himself in the '' Freakazoid!'' episode "Normadeus", where he was kidnapped by the villainous Lobe and forced to make a special wooden weapon for him. He also appeared on '' Between the Lions'' and twice on '' Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?''; and starred in a series of
Foot Locker Foot Locker Retail, Inc. is an Americans, American sportswear and footwear retailer, with its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and operating in 28 countries. Although established in 1974, and founded as a separate company in ...
commercials titled "House of Hoops". Abram appeared on ''
Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman ''Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman'' (sometimes shortened as ''Fetch!'') is an American live-action/animated television series that aired on PBS Kids Go! and is largely targeted towards middle school children. It is a reality-game show that is hosted by ...
'' in the episode "This Old... Lemonade Stand". He also appeared in the 2010 '' Ace of Cakes'' episode "Indy, Ice and Improv".


Presentation style

Norm Abram is well known for his soft-spoken, calm manner of explaining precise, efficient woodworking techniques. He is usually seen wearing a
plaid Plaid () may refer to: Fabric * Full plaid, a cloth made with a tartan pattern, wrapped around the waist, cast over the shoulder and fastened at the front * A synonym for tartan in North America * A plaid shirt, typically of flannel and worn du ...
shirt, a style that has become his trademark. He begins his shows with a reminder about personal safety, specifically highlighting the importance of wearing safety glasses. Abram emphasizes the importance of focusing attention when performing dangerous operations, such as cutting with a power saw. He avoids working when rushed, tired, distracted, or after drinking even small amounts of alcohol. He advises against misusing tools or failing to sharpen them properly. He is not afraid to talk to himself in the shop, reviewing carefully the next steps before he undertakes them.


Awards and recognition

The
American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) is a professional medical association of ophthalmologists. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Its membership of 32,000 medical doctors includes more than 90 percent of practicing ...
awarded Norm Abram its EyeSmart Distinguished Service Award on April 23, 2009. The award was presented for "his steadfast commitment to safety and the prevention of eye injuries". In 2018 Abram was selected for the
Ken Burns Kenneth Lauren Burns (born July 29, 1953) is an American filmmaker known for his documentary film, documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle United States, American History of the United States, history and Culture of the ...
Lifetime Achievement Award by the filmmaker who, with
Old Sturbridge Village Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts which recreates life in rural New England during the 1790s through 1830s. It is the largest living museum in New England, covering more than 200 acres (81 hectares). T ...
, gives the award to "individual who avemade a significant impact on the arts through a project that is relevant to the history Old Sturbridge Village works to preserve".


Personal life

Norm Abram has lived with his wife, Elise (a skilled potter), in a custom modified-classic two-story Colonial, timber-framed home that he built in Carlisle, Massachusetts, with the assistance of his father and other professionals. He wrote his book ''Norm Abram's New House'' (1995) based on his experiences planning and building the house. More recently, he bought a new old house in Rhode Island near the coast, where he plans to build a new woodworking shop, and he is also interested in learning
shipbuilding Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...
. His fondness for plaid shirts is well-known and at times parodied, a prime example being the character Al Borland from ''
Home Improvement The concept of home improvement, home renovation, or remodeling is the process of renovating or making additions to one's home. Home improvement can consist of projects that upgrade an existing home interior (such as electrical and plumbing), ...
'', portrayed by
Richard Karn Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'strong ...
. Abram and his wife enjoy cooking and entertaining, visiting museums and art galleries, boating, kayaking, and fishing. Abram was previously married to Laura Cone (divorced in 1996), with whom he has a daughter, Lindsey.


Books and other publications

Norm Abram has authored eight books about carpentry: * * * * * * * * He has also contributed to and , both published in 2004 by This Old House Books in conjunction with Sunset Books. Abram also serves on the editorial board of ''This Old House'' magazine, published by This Old House Ventures, Inc., also authoring the popular column, "Norm's Notebook".


References


External links


Biography at ''This Old House''
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Abram, Norm 1949 births Living people American carpenters American television personalities Male television personalities PBS people People from Carlisle, Massachusetts People from Milford, Massachusetts People from Woonsocket, Rhode Island University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni This Old House