On the right side of Seymour St., just beyond the center of town, sits Danforth Pewter Company. Danforth displays items ranging from buttons to oil lamps, all made of pewter. With a family heritage connected to pewter dating back to 1755, the company creates every item by hand with care.
Behind the company’s success are its owners, Fred Danforth and Judi Whipple, who met and fell in love in Middlebury, Vt. years ago. Fred was a student at the College, and Judi had just finished her studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, where she first developed her interest in pewter. Despite the fact that his family had been well known in Connecticut for being some of the best pewter-smiths, Fred had no interest in or knowledge of pewter. In fact, he wanted to be a cabinet-maker. Whipple, however, shared her passion for pewter with Fred, and soon Danforth Pewter Company was born. The pair began designing their first wares in Woodstock, Vt. in 1975. In 1978, they moved to Lincoln, Vt. and they finally settled in Middlebury in 1988, where they have remained ever since. The Danforths currently own four stores in Vermont and one in Colonial Willamsburg, Va.
The site in Seymour Street is not simply a store; in the back there are windows that give visitors a view directly into the workshop. Customers are encouraged to observe the pieces being made by employees with their hands and a lathe. There is a display showing the family history of pewter making as well as an informational video that helps customers understand the complicated process.
“We get to tell our story,” said Judi. “So often things are inexpensive and impersonal, and it’s nice to make a connection.”
It is also important to the Danforths that their customers understand the pewter process itself. Pewter is an alloy made of tin, copper and antimony. A common misconception is that pewter contains lead, but in fact there is no lead in the product, making pewter safe. Although Danforth started out with only pewter, color was introduced in 1998 using epoxy resins applied by hand. A syringe-like object lets the shades leak into the crevices of the pewter.
“I was starving for color,” said Judi.
Danforth Pewter creates items for all ages. The available items include ornaments, key chains, necklaces, picture frames, money clips, letter openers and plates. The Danforths have taken full advantage of pewter’s versatility, and continue to create as many pieces as possible. Becoming a talented pewter-smith, however, is not an easy task. The Danforths themselves train every person they hire.
“We invest in every employee and now have some wonderfully skilled artisans,” said Judi. They usually employ about 50 people at a time, all working together on handmade pewter pieces.
Some Danforth Pewter products are available at the College bookstore, but nothing close to the range of products in the store itself. Taylor Wilkins ’11 owns several Danforth pieces.
“Products from Danforth aren’t flashy, unnecessarily expensive or chintzy at all,” said Wilkins. “They are elegant and stand up to years of use.”
Danforth is a local company, providing beautiful goods to its loyal and dedicated customers.
“We build to last and stand behind everything we make,” said Judi.
Danforth Pewter offers rare products
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