Charles F. "Charlie" Hummel

Sending my love and best memories to his darling wife and family. Tina LeCoff

With Charles Hummel's departure from our world, many have lost an unselfish, helpful guiding light. A scholar and a curator, Charles spent over 70 years working with individuals to benefit the development, credibility and sustainability of their institutions. Decorative arts in many forms, time periods, and origins were his forte. He was equally adept at developing professionals. From 1992 to my retirement in 2018, Charles helped me develop and shape the Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA (now the Museum for Art in Wood). He came to my side with our first grant from the Barra Foundation. He joined the early Board of Directors. He hosted the Center's summer residents at Winterthur, and loved showing off the restoration of the Dominy Woodshop, the source of his book, "With Hammer in Hand". In September 1995, he and I hand carried to Yale University Art Gallery the documentation of the wood turning field that led to the collaboration resulting in "Wood Turning in North America Since 1930" (WTNA). So much I learned, and so many blunders were avoided. He was a teacher and a mentor who became a valued friend.
Albert LeCoff
Executive Director Emeritus and Co-Founder, Museum for Art in Wood, Philadelphia

What a fine man! What an excellent scholar! What an exceptional friend!
Charles and I were colleagues at Winterthur for 15 years, and long-time friends after that. He was one of the Winterthur's finest leaders, and I treasure memories of his wisdom, integrity, honesty and empathy, and wish to extend sincere sympathy to his family.

I spent many happy hours on stage with Marlene but the extra special treat was to be able to spend time and talk to Charlie at cast parties and other theatrical events. A charming, intelligent and caring man whom David and I are glad we are able to say we had him in our lives for even a little while. He will be missed.

One of my prized possessions is a signed copy of "With Hammer in Hand". Mr. Hummel inspired untold numbers of wood workers.

I will certainly miss Charlie - he was a mainstay of the Winterthur Program when I was a Fellow and advised one of my projects. His contributions to the field will live on after him, and for that I am grateful.

What a loss. We loved Charlie. He lit up the world. There are none like him and we will miss him terribly. Joanna and Donald Koleman.....Portsmouth, NH

In loving memory of Charlie, I write this, so proud to have called him my friend. My mother too, was fortunate to know him, and so delighted when he published Hammer in Hand and to meet with him. They were fellow historians united in their quest for truth. What a gracious gentleman, amazing scholar and true American Charlie was, I´m honored to have been his friend.

Quite simply one of the finest human beings I ever have had the pleasure to know. A profoundly empathic, ethical, enthusiastic, and intellectually vibrant man. Blessed that he was such a close friend.