Peter Hamm, owner and principal craftsman of Historic Preservation Associates, has been involved in woodworking since 1976, when as a student at Kenyon College he majored in the fine arts with a concentration in sculpture. Continuing his education with a Master's degree from Northeastern University emphasizing historical agencies and administration, Mr. Hamm went on to start Historic Preservation Associates in 1986. Since then, Historic Preservation Associates has been involved in a number of interesting projects, including:

• The interior and exterior restoration of Isaac Damon's historic 1823 church in Blandford, Mass.

• The exterior restoration of the Alexander House, designed by Asher Benjamin and known as one of Springfield's most historic buildings.

• The research and restoration of a 1790's tap room at the historic Rider Tavern in Charlton, Mass.

• The re-creation of a "Fiddler's Throne" for Old Sturbridge Village, a unique piece of furniture that faithfully copies the original, part of the collection of Historic New England.

• The re-creation of an original Connecticut River Valley doorway for a house in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

• Numerous whole-house restorations, from structural rehabilitation and sill replacement through custom kitchen cabinetry.