Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The International Wood Collectors Society (IWCS) has elected to hold its upcoming 79th annual meeting in Shipshewana for the third time in the last 10 years.
The nonprofit organization has held annual meetings in many U.S. and foreign venues, but Shipshewana has now proven to be their most popular destination, according to a news release from IWCS. From small Amish wood-related industries to homemade noodles, Shipshewana appeals to all IWCS members.
The IWCS was founded in 1947 as a way for botanists, dendrologists, foresters and other wood professionals to acquire wood for identification samples and exchange information on same. The public took notice and joined to build a private sample collection and purchase unusual wood for woodworking projects. Currently, wood hobbyists are the majority of their membership.
The meet runs from Sept. 9–12 at the Farmstead Inn, 370 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Guests are welcome to visit and attend any of their demonstrations, tours or sit in to hear the guest speakers. Members will have their projects on display, some for sale.
At 9 a.m. Saturday a large wood auction, open to the public, begins. The auction will include fresh sawn live edge slabs, kiln dried hardwoods, bowl blanks, etc., both domestic and exotic.
For the first time in IWCS history, the public is invited to attend the entire event for a $50 fee, same as members pay. The registration form as well as the event agenda can be found at https://woodcollectors.org/
