Silversmith demonstration Sept. 26 in Gardner

GARDNER — The Gardner Museum, at 28 Pearl St., will host a silversmith demonstration on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the museum’s replica silver shop. It was the shop of Ernest Lehtonen, a master craftsman who worked for Stone Associates, successors to Arthur Stone. The shop’s tools were donated to the museum by Emery Prior, a relative of Elenita Chickering.

The demonstration will be done by Peter Erickson, the grandson of one of Arthur Stone’s master craftsmen, George Erickson. George was one of the last silversmiths in America trained by Stone to carry out designs in hand-wrought silver. He ran his own shop on Green Street for many years and it was inherited by his grandson. Peter Erickson is the lone remaining link to over a century of sterling silver crafted in Gardner. He carries on the city’s rich history of hand-wrought sterling begun in 1901 by Arthur J. Stone from his barn.

There will be a reception from 6:30 to 7 p.m. followed by the program from 7-8 p.m. During the event, a unique Erickson silver ring will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

To reserve a seat call 978-632-3277 or visit info@gardnermuseuminc.com.