Tools & Trades History Society

Tools & Trades History Society

Workshop
Tools Hall Hand Tools
Colin Sullivan Chest
Transvaal

Welcome to the
Tools & Trades History Society website

TATHS logo

Interested in tools? This site is for you.

Established in 1983 as a Charity, our aim is to advance the education of the general public in the history and development of hand tools and their use and of the people and trades that use them. But what does that actually mean?

This site is not just for collectors, or historians, but also the curious, with members worldwide. This covers any activity or craft where tools are used - book binding, leather work, sail making, boat building, cabinet making, printing, animal husbandry, metal working, wheelwrights, cider making, glove making, the list is endless, and how these implements have evolved over centuries.

This site is for researchers into social history but it is also for the young to explore something they picked up at the local car boot sale, or found in a skip, to encourage an interest and perhaps a craft.

This site is also for craftsmen and women to learn how different tools were used and to what effect, and for discussion, for mutual learning and exchange of information. There are social events and volunteering opportunities with like-minded and interested people and expert advice.

Explore further! If this is your first visit, the New Visitors page explains more about our activities. 

Joining TATHS makes sense, whatever your level of interest. You will be able find like minded enthusiasts and share your interests with them at local or national events and through our publications.

Latest News

Classic Hand Tools have a woodworking event in Woodbridge on 12 October 2024.  Details below.
Somebody somewhere must know of a forthcoming event that may be of interest to our members and visitors.  If so just let us know about it by emailing info@taths.org.uk   
This year The Wonder of Wood Fair is being held on 14th and 15th September from 10.00am to 5.00 pm each day. The venue is Burwash Manor, New Road, Barton, Cambridgeshire,  CB23 7EY Admission is £10.00 per day for Adults or £15.00 for the two days. Under 16s are admitted free. This is a fam...