Archives of American Art
Tage Frid papers
Frid, Tage
AAA.fridtage
Archival Resource Key
4.2 Linear feet
1949-2003
The Tage Frid papers measure 4.2 linear feet and date from 1949 to 2003. The papers document Frid's career as a woodworker, author, and educator through interviews and other biographical material; correspondence with friends, colleagues, and former students; writings including draft articles and book manuscripts; and records of other professional activities including lectures, exhibition material and sound and video recordings. Also found is printed material and photographic material including images of Frid, his family and friends, studio, and woodworking designs.
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Scope and Contents
The Tage Frid papers measure 4.2 linear feet and date from 1949 to 2003. The papers document Frid's career as a woodworker, author, and educator through interviews and other biographical material; correspondence with friends, colleagues, and former students; writings including draft articles and book manuscripts; and records of other professional activities including lectures, exhibition material and sound and video recordings. Also found is printed material and photographic material including images of Frid, his family and friends, studio, and woodworking designs.
Biographical material includes an audio interview with Frid conducted by C. Blandy, and a video recording of an interview with Frid by Rosanne Somerson for the Rhode Island School of Design Visual Archives project.
Correspondence documents Frid's commissioned work and subjects related to writings and video recordings done for Fine Woodworking. Also included is one oversized sketch with a note.
Writings include manuscripts of articles written by Frid for Fine Woodworking and manuscripts for his three books on woodworking which were a compilation of do-it-yourself projects written by Frid, including photographs and designs for constructing various pieces of furniture.
Records documenting Frid's professional activities include exhibition material, some personal business records concerning his commissioned work, material related to restoration projects, and a number of sound and video recordings of lectures and of Frid illustrating how to create pieces of furniture.
Photographic material includes self portraits of Frid, and photographs of Frid at work in his studio. Also documented is his time at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina.
Biographical / Historical
Danish-born woodworker, educator, and author Tage Frid (1915-2004) was known for his influence in the studio furniture movement and his classic series of three books, Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking, published by The Taunton Press.
Born in Denmark in 1915, Frid immigrated to the United States in 1948 and served as head of the woodworking program at the School of American Craftsmen, which later became part of the Rochester Institute of Technology, through the 1950s. In 1962 Frid launched the first college level course in woodworking and furniture design at the Rhode Island School of Design, which he taught until his retirement in 1985. Frid's most successful and iconic design was a three-legged stool which he designed in 1983.
In addition to teaching and woodworking, Frid was an editor of Fine Woodworking magazine from its inception in 1975 to his death. In 2001 Frid was honored by the Furniture Society with its Award of Distinction. His series, Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking, remains a woodworking classic, and examples of his furniture can be found in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Tage Frid papers were donated by Emma Frid, Tage Frid's widow, in 2005. A 2014 addition was donated by Frid's son, Peter A. Frid.
Conditions Governing Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Ricky Gomez in 2020.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into six series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1960-2001 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1953-2003 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1, OV 5)
- Series 3: Writings, 1976-1985 (0.6 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 4: Professional Activity, 1957-2001 (0.8 linear feet; Box 2)
- Series 5: Printed Material, 1960-2001 (0.3 linear feet; Boxes 2-3, OV 5)
- Series 6: Photographic Material, 1949-1996 (2.1 linear feet; Boxes 3-4, OV 5-6)
Preferred Citation
Tage Frid papers, 1949-2003. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Related Materials
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Tage Frid conducted by Robert F. Brown between June 24, 1980 and February 22, 1982.
Interviews
Video recordings
American studio craft movement
Sound recordings
Educators -- Rhode Island -- Providence
Furniture designers -- Rhode Island
Woodworkers -- Rhode Island
Authors -- Rhode Island
Penland School of Crafts
Rhode Island School of Design
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1960-2001
Scope and Contents
Biographical material includes resumes, curriculum vite, awards, a sound recording of an interview of Frid conducted by C. Blandy, and a video interview by Rosanne Somerson for the Rhode Island School of Design Visual Archives project.
Artist Statements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960
1
1
C. Blandy Interview with Tage Frid
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1992 January 1
1
2
Curriculum Vitae
Archival Resource Key
1969-1985
1
3
"Hands From Across the Atlantic" Film Project
Archival Resource Key
1988-1990
1
4
Membership Certificate, Friends of Technology Club
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
5
Penland Movies
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (Betamax)
undated
1
6
1
Rosanne Somerson interview with Tage Frid
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
1
6
2
Resumes
Archival Resource Key
1985-2001
1
7
Retirement From Rhode Island School of Design
Archival Resource Key
1984-1985
1
8
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000
1
9
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 1
1953-2003
Scope and Contents
Correspondence is with friends, colleagues, and former students relating to Frid's commissioned work and his writings and video recordings for Fine Woodworking, and other subjects. Also included is one oversized sketch and note.
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1954-1986
1
10-16
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1985-2003
1
17-19
Greeting Cards by Franz Wildenhain
Archival Resource Key
1953-1962
1
20
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
Archival Resource Key
1992
1
21
Sketch
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
Scope and Contents
An oversized sketch of Frid at work in his studio with a message from the sender written in the top right corner.
Taunton Press Concerning Book III
Archival Resource Key
1983-1984
1
22
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.6 Linear feet
Box 1
1976-1985
Scope and Contents
Writings include manuscripts of articles written by Frid for Fine Woodworking, and manuscripts for his three-volume classic "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking". The books, a compilation of do-it-yourself projects by Frid, also contain photographs and designs for constructing various pieces of furniture.
Apprenticeship
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
23
Articles
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
24-25
"A Design Process: Design Around the Construction" Article Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
26
Articles for Fine Woodworking
Archival Resource Key
1978-1981
1
27
Book I Outline
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
28
Book III Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
29
Books, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 1985
1
30
Bow Saw Article Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
1977
1
31
Captions to Drawings
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
32
"Carcase Construction" Article Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
33
Chairs
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
34
"Decorative Joints" Article Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
1982
1
35
Different Dovetails
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
36
Draft Manuscripts
Archival Resource Key
circa 1984
1
37
"The Extension Dining Table for the Uninvited Guest" and "How to Hang a Door" Article Manuscripts
Archival Resource Key
1977
1
38
"Frame Construction" Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
39
"Mistakes in Textbooks" Article Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
40
Notes
Archival Resource Key
1984
1
41
Outline, Book III
Archival Resource Key
1982
1
42
Spindle Turning
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
43
Tool Cabinet Article Manuscript
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
44
"Work Bench," Book III
Archival Resource Key
1976
1
45-46
By Others
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
47
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
48-53
Professional Activity
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
0.8 Linear feet
Box 2
1957-2001
Scope and Contents
Series includes material for some exhibitions that Frid participated in, personal business records concerning some of his commissioned work, material related to restoration projects, and a number of sound and video recordings of lectures and of Frid illustrating how to create pieces of furniture.
American Craft Council, Conference for Apprenticeship
Archival Resource Key
1978
2
1-2
Bristol Art Museum
Archival Resource Key
1990
2
3
Espan, Inc.
Archival Resource Key
1965-1966
2
4
First Annual Conference of American Craftsmen
Archival Resource Key
1957
2
5
Fine Woodworking Pilot
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
6
1
Fine Woodworking, Tage Frid: Veneering on Solid Wood
Archival Resource Key
2 Videocassettes (VHS)
One tape is a duplicate
1992
2
6
2-3
Fine Woodworking "Masters" Series, Tage Frid on Carcase Finery
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
7
1
Fine Woodworking on Video, Dummy Issue
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
1991 August 2
2
7
2
Frid in Workshop
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
7
3
Frame Construction
Archival Resource Key
2 Sound cassettes
undated
2
8
1-2
Tage Dictation Book
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
undated
2
8
3
The Furniture Society
Archival Resource Key
2000-2001
2
9
Hand-Made Dovetails
Archival Resource Key
2 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
10
Marine Historical Association, Inc.
Archival Resource Key
1969-1973
2
11
National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
Archival Resource Key
1976, 1996
2
12
Newport Art Museum
Archival Resource Key
1992
2
13
Outline for Book Series
Archival Resource Key
1977-1983
2
14
Rochester Woodworkers Society Lecture
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
1989 September 18
2
15
1
Juneau, Alaska Lecture
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
15
Rocking Chair Design
Archival Resource Key
1983-1986
2
16
Tage Frid
Archival Resource Key
2 Videocassettes (VHS)
1988 September 10-11
2
17
Tage Frid "Masters" Test Edit
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
18
1
Frid Edit
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
2
18
2
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1958-1982
2
19
Printed Material
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.3 Linear feet
Boxes 2-3, OV 5
1949-2001
Scope and Contents
Printed material includes newspaper and magazine clippings, exhibition catalogs, alumni newsletters from the Rhode Island School of Design, and two oversize exhibition posters.
Clippings, "The Atlanta Journal"
Archival Resource Key
1990-1992
2
20
Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1960-2001
2
21-23
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1963-1965
2
24
"How to Make Drawers" Article
Archival Resource Key
1984
2
25
Posters
Archival Resource Key
undated, circa 1992
5
Providence Art Club
Archival Resource Key
2001
2
26
Rhode Island School of Design Alumni Bulletin
Archival Resource Key
1967-1972
2
27
Rochester Institute of Technology Brochures
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
1
Shop One
Archival Resource Key
circa 1976
3
2
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1949-2001
3
3-5
Photographic Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
2.1 Linear feet
Boxes 3-4, OV 5-6
1960-1996
Scope and Contents
Photographic material includes self portraits of Frid, photographs of Frid with friends and family and at work in his studio, and photographs of his students at work, and of his work. Also included are contact sheets for images used in Frid's books, images of him at work in his studio, and of his furniture. A large number of slides show Frid's work, and other artists at work. Of note are photographs showing President Jimmy Carter at a woodworking demonstration conducted by Frid circa 1990s, and images showing Frid's time at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina.
Personal
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1991
3
6-8
Personal
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
At Penland
Archival Resource Key
1991
3
9
With Jimmy Carter
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
10
Students
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980
3
11
Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement
Archival Resource Key
1968-1969
3
12
At Work in Studio
Archival Resource Key
circa 1986
3
13-14
At Work in Studio
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
Works
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
15-18
Works
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
Works, Furniture
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
19
Works, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
20
Prints for Book I
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
21-22
Contact Sheets
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
23-24
Contact Sheets, Book I
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
25-26
Contact Sheets, Book III
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
27-28
Contact Sheets, Table Making
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
29
Contact Sheets, Tool Cabinet
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
30
Contact Sheets, Work Bench
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
31
Transparencies, Frid at Work
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
32
Slides, Works
Archival Resource Key
1970-1987
3
33
Slides, National Living Treasure Award Program
Archival Resource Key
1996
3
34
Slides, Works by Linda Condy
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
35
Slides, Works by Ken Fisher
Archival Resource Key
1981
3
36
Slides, Works by Alphonse Mattia
Archival Resource Key
1986
3
37
Slides, Works by Timothy Philbrick
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
38
Slides, Works by Rosanne Somerson
Archival Resource Key
circa 1986
3
39
Slides, Works by Steve Tengelsen
Archival Resource Key
1986-1988
3
40
Slides, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
41
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
42
Slides, Works
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
1-9
Scope and Contents
The slides were originally in a large shoebox in no containers, and they were placed in slide boxes for processing. The majority are of Frid's works, but there are some showing Frid at work or his students at work also mixed in.
Slides, Works
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
10
Scope and Contents
Half the box is of works by Frid, and the other half is a mix of slides of works by Frid and other woodworkers.
Slides, Works by Tage and Others
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
10
Scope and Contents
Half the box is of works by Frid, and the other half is a mix of slides of works by Frid and other woodworkers.
Slides, Penland School of Crafts
Archival Resource Key
1970
4
11
Scope and Contents
Also included in the box are slides of the woodshop and students at Rhode Island School of Design, and slides of Tage's students at a farm in Victor, NY.
Slides, Rhode Island School of Design Woodshop, Exhibits, and Students
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
11
Scope and Contents
Also included in the box are slides from the Penland School of Crafts and slides of Tage's students at a farm in Victor, NY.
Slides, Tage's Students at a Farm in Victor, New York
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
11
Scope and Contents
Alsomincluded in the box are slides of the Penland School of Crafts and slides of the Rhode Island School of Design woodshop, exhibits, and students.