Norm Abram

Abram was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island,{{cite web |url = http://www.projo.com/projohomes/onthego/norm.htm |title = Building a reputation: TV woodworking guru Norm Abram visits R.I. for a This Old House segment |work = The Providence Journal |author = Smith, Andy |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110622073832/http://www.projo.com/projohomes/onthego/norm.htm |archive-date = June 22, 2011 |url-status = dead }} and raised in Milford, Massachusetts, where he attended high school.{{cite magazine |last1 = Boesel |first1 = Jim |title = Norm Abram: Carpenter Turned Furnituremaker |url = https://www.finewoodworking.com/1993/04/01/norm-abram-carpenter-turned-furnituremaker |magazine = Fine Woodworking |url-access = subscription |access-date = June 27, 2021 |pages = 46–51 |date = April 1, 1993 }}{{cite magazine |last = Boesel |first = Jim |date = March–April 1993 |title = Norm Abram: Carpenter Turned Furnituremaker |magazine = Fine Woodworking |volume = 99 |pages = 46–51 }}{{cite web |title = Norm Abram |url = https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21071269/norm-abram |website = This Old House |access-date = June 27, 2021 |language = en |date = January 17, 2020 }} His father was a carpenter, who taught his son many of his practical skills.{{cite web |last1 = Wolfe |first1 = Leslie |title = Hands-on kind of guy |url = https://www.umass.edu/umassmag/archives/1998/spring_98/spg98_f_norm.html |website = UMass Magazine |publisher = University of Massachusetts |access-date = June 26, 2021 |date = 1998 }} Norm first worked on a client's site at the age of 9, helping his father install hardwood floors.{{cite web |last1 = Pratt |first1 = Mark |title = He's got it nailed |url = https://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20080107/NEWS/301079879 |website = Milford Daily News |access-date = June 26, 2021 |language = en |date = January 7, 2008 }} He worked with his father during summer vacations in high school and college.

Abram initially studied mechanical engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he became a brother of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. He found theoretical engineering courses to be uninteresting, and switched to studying business administration. He realized that he enjoyed practical hands-on work, and left UMass just short of finishing a degree.

After leaving college, Abram worked for three years for a multimillion-dollar New England–based construction firm, and was rapidly promoted to a position as a site supervisor. In 1976, Abram went into business for himself, founding the general contracting firm Integrated Structures Inc. and operating it until 1989. His first major independent project was building a general store on Nantucket.

File:Norm Abram and The New Yankee Workshop tries out a tool used in space while wearing gloves that are part of the spacewalking suits.jpg, 2000]]

In 1979, Norm Abram took a construction job building a small barn/garage/toolshed/workshop in the backyard of television producer Russell Morash,{{cite web |last1 = Natt |first1 = Amy |title = Carolina Conversations With This Old House Master Carpenter Norm Abram |url = https://agingoutreachservices.com/life/carolina-conversations/carolina-conversations-with-this-old-house-master-carpenter-norm-abram/ |website = Aging Outreach Services |access-date = June 21, 2021 |date = May 24, 2017 }} who had produced Julia Child's popular cooking program The French Chef for WGBH-TV in Boston. Impressed by Abram's small scrap pile and efficient work habits, Morash invited Abram to help with the renovation of a rundown Victorian house in Dorchester. A WGBH camera crew recorded the process for the first This Old House project, hosted by Bob Vila. Morash then asked Abram to appear as a regular on This Old House, and Abram became a fixture on the show.

On May 19, 2022, it was announced that after 43 years, Abram would retire from the show. A one-hour special titled The House that Norm Built aired online and on PBS stations on October 3, 2022, surveying his career with the program.{{cite news |first = Ross |last = Cristantiello |date = May 24, 2022 |url = https://www.boston.com/news/tv/2022/05/24/this-old-house-norm-abram-retire/#:~:text=Norm%20Abram%2C%20master%20carpenter%20for,will%20air%20on%20Monday%2C%20Oct. |title = 'This Old House' legend Norm Abram set to retire |work = Boston.com }}{{cite web |url = https://www.thisoldhouse.com/23126199/this-old-house-to-air-tribute-special-to-master-carpenter-and-television-trailblazer-norm-abram |title = This Old House® To Air Tribute Special to Master Carpenter and Television Trailblazer, Norm Abram |date = May 19, 2022 |website = This Old House |access-date = September 7, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220705184054/https://www.thisoldhouse.com/23126199/this-old-house-to-air-tribute-special-to-master-carpenter-and-television-trailblazer-norm-abram/ |archive-date = July 5, 2022 |url-status = live }}

File:Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi, (center, with master carpenter Norm Abram, left, and host Kevin O'Connor, right, from the) public television show, This Old House, (at renovation site - DPLA - ab09d753027079848e33a729a5d3c0f2.jpg Roy Bernardi (center), and This Old House host Kevin O'Connor (right), at a renovation site in 2006]]

In 1988, Morash planned to launch a spinoff of This Old House called The New Yankee Workshop, featuring Abram. They needed a convenient place to videotape, and used the shop in the small building that Abram built in 1979 in Morash's backyard. The shop's layout and equipment were expanded and adapted to match Abram's preferences, in a space measuring {{convert|36|by|26|ft}}.{{cite web |last1 = Harder |first1 = Nick |title = The House Norm Built: Viewers of His Hit Show Have Come to Trust the Steady Presence of Master Carpenter Norm Abram |url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-02-21-9201090926-story.html |website = South Florida Sun-Sentinel |access-date = June 26, 2021 |date = February 21, 1992 }}{{cite web |last1 = Rice |first1 = Marjorie |title = Norm Abram does it himself |url = https://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Norm-Abram-does-it-himself-3206239.php |website = SFGATE |access-date = June 26, 2021 |date = March 19, 1998 }} The New Yankee Workshop was first aired in 1989 with Abram as the host. The program showcased furniture or other projects and emphasized classic, elegant designs, made using a combination of simple handtools and newer power tools and equipment. The show aired for 21 seasons on PBS, then was suspended indefinitely as Abram decided to focus on other projects.{{cite magazine |last1 = Eide |first1 = Gina |title = New Yankee Workshop Ends, a New Show Begins |url = https://www.finewoodworking.com/2009/10/17/new-yankee-workshop-series-ends |magazine = Fine Woodworking |access-date = June 27, 2021 |date = October 16, 2009 }}

Abram is on the board of trustees of Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. He delivered the 2001 commencement speech at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, which is renowned for its commitment to teaching craftsmanship. He has also contributed to efforts to train younger students in the building trades, such as the Generation NEXT apprenticeship program.

Abram also voiced himself in the Freakazoid! episode "Normadeus", where he was kidnapped by the villainous Lobe and forced to make a special wooden weapon for him. He also appeared on Between the Lions and twice on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?; and starred in a series of Foot Locker commercials titled "House of Hoops". Abram appeared on Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman in the episode "This Old... Lemonade Stand". He also appeared in the 2010 Ace of Cakes episode "Indy, Ice and Improv".

Norm Abram is well known for his soft spoken, calm manner of explaining precise, efficient woodworking techniques. He is usually seen wearing a plaid shirt, a style that has become his trademark.{{cite web |last1 = Wood |first1 = Kate |title = The Tartans of Norm |url = https://www.thisoldhouse.com/this-old-house/21019361/the-tartans-of-norm |website = This Old House |access-date = June 26, 2021 |language = en |date = August 26, 2019 }}{{cite web |last1 = Carter |first1 = Maria |title = 'This Old House' Launched Home Improvement Television As We Know It |url = https://www.countryliving.com/remodeling-renovation/g5158/this-old-house/ |website = Country Living |publisher = Hearst |access-date = June 26, 2021 |date = January 23, 2018 }} He begins his shows with a reminder about personal safety, specifically highlighting the importance of wearing safety glasses.

Abram emphasizes the importance of focusing attention when performing dangerous operations, such as cutting with a power saw. He avoids working when rushed, tired, distracted, or after drinking even small amounts of alcohol. He advises against misusing tools or failing to sharpen them properly. He is not afraid to talk to himself in the shop, reviewing carefully the next steps before he undertakes them.{{cite magazine |last1 = Kolle |first1 = Jefferson |title = Norm Abram: Life After 'New Yankee' |url = https://www.popularwoodworking.com/interviews/norm-abram-life-after-new-yankee/ |magazine = Popular Woodworking Magazine |accessdate = June 26, 2021 |date = May 29, 2020 }}

The American Academy of Ophthalmology awarded Norm Abram its EyeSmart Distinguished Service Award on April 23, 2009. The award was presented for "his steadfast commitment to safety and the prevention of eye injuries".{{cite press release |url = http://www.aao.org/newsroom/release/20090423.cfm |title = American Academy of Ophthalmology Honors PBS Master Carpenter Norm Abram for His Commitment to Eye Safety |date = May 19, 2011 |publisher = American Academy of Ophthalmology |access-date = May 20, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110212225929/http://www.aao.org/newsroom/release/20090423.cfm |archive-date = February 12, 2011 |url-status = dead }}{{cite web |author = christinacuras |date = April 24, 2009 |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqdraj9wvto |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/jqdraj9wvto |archive-date = December 12, 2021 |url-status = live |title = Video of the AAO Eyesmart Distinguished Service Award Ceremony |via = YouTube }}{{cbignore}}

In 2018, Abram was selected for the Ken Burns Lifetime Achievement Award by the filmmaker who, with Old Sturbridge Village, gives the award to "individual[s] who [have] made a significant impact on the arts through a project that is relevant to the history Old Sturbridge Village works to preserve".{{cite news |work = Telegram & Gazette |location = Worcester, Massachusetts |url = https://www.telegram.com/news/20180115/norm-abram-to-receive-ken-burns-lifetime-achievement-award |title = Norm Abram to receive Ken Burns Lifetime Achievement Award |date = January 16, 2018 |access-date = July 4, 2018 }}

On June 18, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored Norm along with “This Old House” with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Norm Abram has lived with his wife, Elise (a skilled potter), in a custom modified classic two story Colonial, timber framed home that he built in Carlisle, Massachusetts, with the assistance of his father and other professionals.{{cite web |title = Norm Abram on His Newish Old House |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324188604578543703281778658 |website = The Wall Street Journal |access-date = June 26, 2021 |date = June 21, 2013 }} He wrote his book Norm Abram's New House (1995) based on his experiences planning and building the house.{{cite web |last1 = Rhodes |first1 = Elizabeth |title = This New House: TV Host Norm Abram Moves From Renovating Old Houses To Building His From Scratch |url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19950611&slug=2125884 |website = The Seattle Times |accessdate = June 26, 2021 |date = June 11, 1995 }}

More recently, he bought a new old house in Rhode Island near the coast, where he plans to build a new woodworking shop, and he is also interested in learning shipbuilding.

His fondness for plaid shirts is well-known and at times parodied, a prime example being the character Al Borland from Home Improvement, portrayed by Richard Karn.

Abram and his wife enjoy cooking and entertaining, visiting museums and art galleries, boating, kayaking, and fishing.

Abram was previously married to Laura Cone (divorced in 1996),{{cite web |title = Norm Abram Biography |url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009092/bio |website = IMDB }}{{cite web |last1 = Doten |first1 = Patti |title = Norm Abram seeks to nail down more free time |url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/04/25/norm-abram-seeks-to-nail-down-more-free-time/ |website = Tampa Bay Times |access-date = June 26, 2021 |language = en |date = September 13, 2005 }} with whom he has a daughter, Lindsey.

Norm Abram has authored eight books about carpentry:

• {{cite book |title = The New Yankee Workshop |date = 1989 |isbn = 9780316004534 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm |last2 = Snyder |first2 = Tim }}
• {{cite book |title = Classics From The New Yankee Workshop |date = 1990 |isbn = 9780316004565 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm |last2 = Snyder |first2 = Tim }}
• {{cite book |title = Mostly Shaker From The New Yankee Workshop |date = 1992 |isbn = 9780316004732 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm |last2 = Sloan |first2 = David }}
• {{cite book |title = The New Yankee Workshop: Outdoor Projects |date = 1994 |isbn = 9780316004855 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm |last2 = Walker |first2 = Roland }}
• {{cite book |title = Norm Abram's New House |date = 1995 |isbn = 9780316004107 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm }}
• {{cite book |title = Measure Twice, Cut Once |date = 1996 |isbn = 9780316004947 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm }}
• {{cite book |title = The New Yankee Workshop Kids' Stuff |date = 1998 |isbn = 9780316004930 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm }}
• {{cite book |title = Ask Norm |date = 2001 |isbn = 9781929049356 |last1 = Abram |first1 = Norm }}

He has also contributed to {{cite book |title = Complete Remodeling |isbn = 9780376003003 }} and {{cite book |title = Complete Landscaping |isbn = 9780376003027 }}, both published in 2004 by This Old House Books in conjunction with Sunset Books. Abram also serves on the editorial board of This Old House magazine, published by This Old House Ventures, Inc., also authoring the popular column, "Norm's Notebook".

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{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage=

| audio1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kVhX3Xzp6w Ep. 28: Norm Abram], Clever Podcast, January 7, 2018
Guest on podcast; discusses his upbringing and early interest in woodworking.}}

{{Library resources box|by=yes|about=no|onlinebooks=no|onlinebooksby=no}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160616155011/http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/biography/0,,420027,00.html Biography at This Old House]
• {{IMDb name|id=0009092|name=Norm Abram}}

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Category:Living people

Category:1949 births

Category:American carpenters

Category:American television personalities

Category:PBS people

Category:People from Carlisle, Massachusetts

Category:People from Milford, Massachusetts

Category:People from Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni

Category:This Old House