RVP 1875

We went on an extensive tour of the factory. Very impressive. Best kept secret in Iowa.

Furniture maker who only uses tools and methods available in 1875. He is the real deal, very knowledgeable and demonstrated his skills.

Great place, Rob tells his story very well!

This was such a great place to visit. If you are in the area, it's worth the time to make a visit. Very informative about how working was done before mass factory changed it. Beautiful woodworking and great people ready to answer and questions or make custom furniture to your specifications.

My husband and I stumbled across this amazing gem located off the main square in Jefferson, IA. This working woodworking shop and museum is so cool! Robby is a true craftsman who creates amazing true to 1875 furiture pieces and gave us a wonderful tour of his furniture museum and the tools used to create the furniture. He showed us how he uses the antique woodworking tools to build his amazing pieces and explained everything so well. There is also a theatre in the musuem where they have Broadway plays scheduled throughout the year. To watch and listen to Robby create and talk about his work is mesmerizing. He is true to his historical craft and his passion for it is pure joy!

This woodworking shop is a gem! If you really want to understand the history of Iowa's settlement and the thinking of the pioneers, visit and have a conversation with the owner. His knowledge and passion are incredible.

This wood shop was very cool! They make historical furniture using only the tools from the 1870s. The owner, Robby is very passionate about his work, and it shows. Definitely a fun place to go on a tour. He also has a custom built theatre in the back that he's been working on! Check it out!

Took self guided tour and also spoke to Robby, who gave great information! so interesting and a must see! No cost, but good will donation is available!

I have visited several times, the owner/artist is very happy to show you around the shop and explain how he builds the period furniture. In addition there is a theater company that performs musical's twice a year. Worth a visit!

RVP 1875 is the Premier Historically Correct furniture maker in the Nation, that builds custom designed pieces from scratch, using only the tools and methods found in 1875. What this means for the customer, is that each hand built piece is entirely made with only hand tools; nothing is run with any electricity. Even the trees are felled with timber saws and milled down to boards in this time tested tradition.
Each piece is stained with only home made sure, from natural sources like walnut hulls/shells, acorns and raspberries.
All the careful.attention to detail means that your custom made piece will easily last 500 years!!

Visited today andRobby gave us a thorough tour which included how they’ve been making wooden products sine Egyptian times. Fascinating and these skills are quickly dying out.

The custom built theater was the neatest building I have been in. All open beams wood floors. Just like an old time setting

The owner / furniture maker gave us a personal tour of the shop, tools, and techniques used by those building pioneer furniture in Iowa in 1875. Love.

Great place to visit and learn about 1800 wood making

Beautiful venue. Will definitely return!

always A+ place to visit and shop, Robbie is always friendly and informative

It was a fun and different experience. I highly recommend

Amazing works of Art! Such craftsmanship!

Handmade furniture...LOVE the sleigh bed!

I want to check it out when I have more time.