Mr. Camper offered common sense advice to those new to whittling:
“The first thing you have to do is get yourself a piece of soft wood pick out some object that you have in mind to make. Picture it out and cut it to size. Then get yourself a sharp knife, and some
band-aids, a few cuss words…and you get started."
As the details of the works come together to create a complete scene, they paint a historic picture of everyday life and work on Delaware farms. What Jehu Camper preserved in miniature can be found for real in the museum’s indoor exhibits and in the Museum’s 1890’s Village where the buildings, artifacts, and activities provide a real-life counterpart to Camper’s whittled scenes of rural life.
Jehu Camper spent most of his life on a farm in Kent County, Delaware (near Harrington). His father gave him a two bladed Barlow knife at age 8. With this knife, Jehu embarked on what would become a life-long passion for whittling.
Among his earliest pieces is a windmill (whirligig) that their farm hand, Lyndon Dredden, taught him how to make. Over the years his art expanded both in terms of subject matter and intricacy of the carvings, Jehu Camper:
- Used a Remington model penknife for most of his carvings.
- Never titled his work.
- Rarely painted his work.
- Seldom polished or sanded pieces.
- Did not sign or date his work until later in his life.
- Never sold his work, he gave away pieces.
Whittlin' History Exhibit Redesign
In 2021, the Museum received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) “Save America’s Treasures” program to preserve, protect and enhance access to the Jehu Camper Whittlin’ exhibit through:
- The display of 200+ pieces from the Camper collection not previously on display at the Museum.
- Conservation treatment (cleaning) of all pieces.
- The redesign of the existing exhibit space to:
* accommodate additional Camper collection items
* safeguard the collection by enclosing all of Mr. Camper’s works in enclosed cases.
- Enhanced environmental controls.
- Enhanced lighting.