|
|
|
The Fulton Hammer Museum
|
|
Collection started under auctioneer's hammer
By LAURA RAINS Staff Writer
Scotty Fulton can't quite remember when having a few old hammers around the barn turned into a collection.
But in all fairness, it doesn't seem quite right to call what Fulton has, filling one large building and eight additional rooms the size of most bedrooms, a collection.
A collection is a glass cabinet or two in the living room filled with antique dolls, or a basement with its walls covered with posters, photographs and a signed basketball or two, all in Kentucky blue.
A collection is having one room dedicated to all things John Deere, or a hundred or so cookbooks lining shelves in your kitchen.
 |
| Over the past 40 years Scotty Fulton of Mason County has been buying hammers. His collection of more than 9,000 hammers is one of the largest in the country.
Scotty Fulton says the hammer is the king of all tools. The endless amount of different styles of hammers and their uses is a glimpse into the history of our country.
Photos by Laura Rains |
With more than 9,000 hammers in every shape, size and possible use ever invented by someone who needed a tool for a specific reason, what Fulton has is a museum without an admission charge.
"It's a disease," he laughs. "And I have a full-blown case of it."
Located behind his house on Old Sardis Pike, the home of his hammers is not open to the public. But when friends stop by, and they're willing to listen to a guided tour and history lesson by the owner himself, he's more than happy to oblige.
But be prepared -- it will take all afternoon.
Fulton says he has always had a fascination with old tools, having grown up on the Mason County farm where he now lives. But he didn't own any of his own until he married his wife, Karen, 40 years ago.
"Karen and I were young teachers and newlyweds and we didn't have much money," he said. "I went to an auction in Amelia, Ohio, to buy my first few tools."
Fulton says he held up a hammer and an old bucket that had four or five more hammers in it for the auctioneer to take his bid.
"And that's how all this started."
Attending farm auctions was entertainment for the young couple who were both teaching in Owensville, Ohio.
"I began looking for hammers that were different than the ones I already had," he said. "If I could get it for a good price, I'd buy it."
He does remember when the number in his collection totaled 50.
By then he and Karen were back in Mason County and he was teaching math in Manchester, Ohio.
Karen's father, who owned a paint store in Irvine, gave him a gallon of red paint to spruce up the look of the hammers he had.
"I couldn't afford the paint so he gave it to me," said Fulton. "I painted all the handles red."
When Fulton first began collecting hammers, they were almost all obtained at farm auctions.
"There weren't any flea markets then which is also a popular place to look for unusual hammers."
But today he's more likely to find one that catches his eye on eBay, an Internet auction site.
But his favorite find is a hammer that's different, and offered for sale by someone who's used it.
"These hammers tell the history of life and times in this country," he said. "Finding out what a particular one was used for is like a history lesson."
One example is when his friend, the late Howard "Bud" Wilson, paid him a visit one day.
"Bud was out here one day and I showed him a hammer I hadn't been able to identify," said Fulton. "He said 'I know what that is. I used it when I worked on the railroad.'"
Fulton says his excitement grew as his friend told him all about the tool and how he used it.
"The best teacher is the individual that used it."
Fulton's hammers are neatly organized into categories according to their use. Each hammer is also catalogued as to where and when he got it. As his number of hammers grew, he also began to keep track of how much he paid for each hammer.
The price varies from a few dollars to several dollars, depending on how badly he wants it. But he does have a dollar limit and sticks to it.
A few years ago Fulton went to a flea market in Lucasville, Ohio. He picked up a box of ropes and clips and buried underneath was an unusual hammer.
"I asked him how much he wanted for the hammer," said Fulton. "He said 'the hammer's not for sale. If you want it you have to take the whole box.'"
Even though his only interest was the hammer, the vendor wouldn't budge.
Fulton bought the whole box for $20 and chuckled all the way home.
He knew he had gotten a bargain but he didn't realize how much of a bargain until after doing some research.
"The hammer was valued at $1,100."
A book he has called The Hammer: A Collector's Handbook by hammer enthusiast Ron Baird from Missouri is well worn. He says that book has helped him identify many of the hammers he has come across. After Baird's death, Fulton purchased Baird's personal collection of 1,232 hammers. He also purchased his 2,200 hammer patents dating up to 1980.
"Most hammers were never patented," he said. "The patents have helped me figure out how many of my hammers were used."
As a tribute to the hammer expert, Fulton hung Baird's hammers together and used some of them to form the initials RB on the wall.
Cavemen were the first ones to use a hammer, even if it was nothing more than holding a rock in one hand to break another.
Today if you need a hammer to do a specific task, you simply go to your local hardware store.
"The early settlers would go to their local blacksmith who made their tools according to specification," said Fulton.
A hammer with three claws, a hammer with another hammerhead on its side, a saw with a hammer on it and one with a screwdriver at the end are all hammers that intrigue Fulton and are part of his collection.
There's always another hammer out there to find. And when he does, he'll make the space for it.
"The possibilities are endless."
In Thursday's Lifestyle section, read more about Fulton's hammers and the friendships he's made through the years in his search for more hammers.
Contact Laura Rains at Laura.Rains@lee.net or by phone at 606-564-9091, ext. 275. |
|
|
Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
Wes & Maggie Martin wrote on Jun 25, 2007 10:22 PM: " Our daughter,Kay,send us this very interesting e-mail. Since we knew the Fulton family personally, when they lived in Owensville, it is all the more exciting to read this article.
We know, that Karen Fulton was a teacher, to be specific, I think, she was an Art Teacher. They were great people to know, but we lost touch over the years, but We still have a Christmas Tree ornament, Karen made for us one Christmas.
So this trickert some fond memories.
That Mr. Fulton had a hobby too, we were not aware of. What a hobby it is!
Really, very fantastic! We built our own home and know the importance of a good hammer. Congratulations, Scotty, maybe some day we'll stop by and see that huge Hammer Collection. Our best wishes to you and Karen, Children and maybe Grandchildren aswell.
God Bless them all! "
Add your own comments:
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2008 Maysville Newspapers, Inc., A Lee Enterprises Publication
This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent. Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy. |
|
|
Jobs
Homes
Cars