~by Chuck Offenburger for the Greene County Historical Society
Robby Pedersen, the master craftsman of heirloom furniture in Jefferson, will tell the fascinating story of his career and RVP~1875 business this Friday, Nov. 4, at the monthly lunch and program of the Greene County Historical Society, meeting this time at the United Methodist Church in Scranton
The $10 lunch is at 12 noon, and the free program begins at 12:45 pm.
Pedersen, a native of Greene County, discovered his interests in woodworking, theater and music while attending Jefferson-Scranton High School. He earned his degree at Iowa State University in education and history, then went to work 10 years as a history-interpreting furniture maker at Living History Farms on the west edge of the Des Moines area.
He decided to start his own business, RVP-1875, in Story City. That company name is a combination of his own initials and the year in which nearly all Iowa and Midwestern towns had a master cabinet maker – who also would make a lot of coffins. Pedersen decided he’d devote his business to making furniture in the styles of that year, and with the tools of that year, too – meaning he doesn’t use power tools.
In 2008, he moved RVP-1875 to the business district in Jefferson after being recruited back to his home area by officials of the Greene County Development Corp., opening in a century-old building that had originally been a lumber yard. He has had fulltime employees, family members and apprentices working with him, and has produced more than 1,300 finished furniture pieces since he started. But he personally regards it as much a museum and learning center as a business.
In 2009, he began adding on the rear of the building, constructing his own stage and seating for live theatrical and music productions. Those continue today, with “History Boy Theatre Co.” being a non-profit production entity.
In the wood shop, where Pedersen often gives programs for visiting bus groups, he generally is dressed in the work clothing an 1875 craftsman would have worn.
The business and theatre have won several major state tourism and business awards, including being recognized as the 2016 “Outstanding Tourism Attraction” by the Iowa Tourism Office.
For lunch on Friday, Historical Society members should RSVP with their community contacts. Others can make lunch reservations by calling 515-386-4408. There’s no need to RSVP to attend the program only.
