Declaration of Independence Desk, 1776
Between 1775 - 1776, Thomas Jefferson commissioned Benjamin Randolph, a Philadelphia cabinetmaker, to build a compact lap desk to serve as a portable office. This small mahogany box, is now prominently displayed at Monticello.
Declaration of Independence Desk, 1776
Transferred to the Smithsonian in 1921.
Jefferson continued using this desk throughout his life as a revolutionary patriot, diplomat and president of the United States. While the drafts of the Declaration of Independence were among the first documents Jefferson wrote on this desk, the note he attached under the writing board in 1825 was among the last:
"Politics as well as Religion has its superstitions. These, gaining strength with time, may, one day, give imaginary value to this relic, for its great association with the birth of the Great Charter of our Independence."
Several articles and plans for reproducing the desk have been written. Fine Woodworking" Sept/Oct issue has an article by Lon Schleining, and Popular Woodworking's April 14, 2020 edition's featured article was the "Monticello Lap Desk."
In addition to a brief history of the desk, both articles point out some construction issues. It seems to be a pastime of furniture makers to nit-pick old construction and for good reason. While most of the time we marvel at what the "old guys" were able to pull off, time and use tests even the best construction.
Popular Woodworking's version of "The Desk."
Popular Woodworking author, Mario Rodriquez admits, "Does a portable writing desk have any practical purpose today? Probably not, but for a life-long woodworker and history buff like myself, this is an irresistible project."
Shop Class's lead instructor, a life-long woodworker and history buff, Joe Clay couldn't resist the challenge. Joe's description of the project echoed Lon Schleining's: "Though it looks very simple, the desk turned out to be one of the most interesting and challenging woodworking projects I've built."
With inlayed stops for the delicate stand, the box is rather complicated, then you have the drawer. - Popular Woodworking
The drawer has dovetail joinery both front and back. - Popular Woodworking
It is often referred to as lap desk because the writing surface folds down from the desk and lays in your lap while in use. Joe used pool table felt for the writing surface.
The legs that hold up the desk surface retracts into a recessed area carved out of the back of the writing surface. Joe says mounting the hinges on the thin legs was a special challenge.
The drawer, which is designed to accept paper and writing instruments, requires some fine joinery. Note the small keyed lock assembly. Not an easy install.
Joe used hand-cut half blind dovetails to attach the drawer front.
Once completed, this heirloom project was shipped to Maine as a present to a special friend.
At Shop Class, Joe Clay teaches:
Shop Class Qualification
Woodworking Fundamentals
Woodworking Joinery
Hand Tool Workshop
Build Class
And, is currently developing a Women's Woodworking Class
For class schedules and registration visit: ShopClass-NB.com/class-registration
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