George Washington Inauguration Hatchet and Other Rarities at Antique Tool Museum

Here at Make: we love using and discussing the latest, most innovative tools. After all, better tools help us build better projects.

But what happens to the old tools we no longer need? Evidently, some of them receive a second life as items in the Antique Tool Museum in Nevada City, California.

Tools were the last thing on my mind as I traipsed off to the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range this past weekend to attend a wedding. However, when I checked into my condo, the property owner of Honeycomb Ranch informed me that I was welcome to explore their extensive Antique Tool Museum housed in a large and unassuming barn.

When I pulled aside the heavy barn door, I was greeted by hundreds of tools displayed on every available wall space, neatly organized and labeled with specific dates. The space is advertised as a wedding venue, but I was more interested in the history of the tools housed there.

Check out the walls of the museum below, featuring some close-ups of my favorites:

My favorite tool in the barn

The oldest (modern) tools that I spotted were from the early-mid 1700’s.

From left to right: measuring, plumbing, and blacksmithing tools

From left to right: Lithuanian tools, drills, augers, and automotive tools

That’s a lot of levels!

Cobbler’s tools

Old measuring tapes

Shipwright and stonemason tools

What’s the oldest tool that you’ve ever seen? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments.