Sign up for the Craftsman's Revolution newsletter with the latest about our current millworks projects, stories by Eric and the Blue Ox Historic Village news:. Eric Hollenbeck, his family and staff welcome you to the Blue Ox Millworks, where the craftsmanship tools and techniques of the last century are utilized to produce authentic custom millwork for private homes and commercial buildings throughout the United States.
Our customers have included hundreds of homeowners, as well as governors' mansions, national parks, historic cathedrals, even the President of the United States. We are your Victorian millwork specialists, but we also specialize in meeting the millwork demands of new and original architectural designs.
Our customers have included hundreds of homeowners, as well as governors' mansions, national parks, historic cathedrals, even the President of the United States. We are your Victorian millwork specialists, but we also specialize in meeting the millwork demands of new and original architectural designs.
Services
Blue Ox Millworks is one of the last true custom job shops in the United States. Our full mill and collection of antique and modern woodworking tools gives us the flexibility to tackle any woodworking challenge.
Whether you are looking for hand-carved custom Victorian gingerbread, authentic historic reproductions, or doors and windows for a new construction product, Blue Ox's team of dedicated craftsmen will put our over three decades of woodworking experience to work for you, even if other shops have told you that a project "cannot be done."Governor's mansions, historic cathedrals, and even the United States government are some of our regular customers.
Whether you are looking for hand-carved custom Victorian gingerbread, authentic historic reproductions, or doors and windows for a new construction product, Blue Ox's team of dedicated craftsmen will put our over three decades of woodworking experience to work for you, even if other shops have told you that a project "cannot be done."Governor's mansions, historic cathedrals, and even the United States government are some of our regular customers.
An elaborate, well-made door is the crowning piece to any building. At Blue Ox we joint all our wood doors with 4 inch tenons. The mortise and tenon joint is the strongest, most reliable, and visually pleasing joint we have come across, and has been used since the times of the ancient Egyptians.
From the lightest summer-time screen door to the heaviest fortress-style solid oak entrance door; from mahogany French doors to old world redwood pocket doors; each is made to withstand a lifetime of use, while maintaining its accurate angles, solidity and beauty.Wood doors-almost every house has them, yet as commonplace as they are many of us take their construction for granted.
From the lightest summer-time screen door to the heaviest fortress-style solid oak entrance door; from mahogany French doors to old world redwood pocket doors; each is made to withstand a lifetime of use, while maintaining its accurate angles, solidity and beauty.Wood doors-almost every house has them, yet as commonplace as they are many of us take their construction for granted.
Wooden windows, tastefully designed and placed throughout a home add warmth and character to any room. Windows are the eyes of a house- this is an axiom known by builders for as long as we have had permanent dwellings. In fact the very name 'window' originates from the old Norse phrase, vindauga, or 'wind eye.'
The beauty of most Victorian houses is in the details and few Victorian details are as recognizable as the corbel. Whether decorative or structural, supporting a mantle or just supporting your design scheme, Blue Ox Millworks is ready to help. Interior, exterior, wood, or plaster, our expert craftsmen are willing to build whatever you need with a gentle touch, a patient chisel, and whatever wood you specify.
Does your front porch lack a certain luster? Is the beam in your dance floor sagging with the weight of inadequacy? Or perhaps you just need something special for the new home that you are designing. Whatever the problem, Blue Ox is here to help.
Blue Ox columns are hand turned using the age old method of story-sticking to insure that each column is a masterpiece in its own right, and all our columns are custom so you can get the absolute perfect column for your renovation, restoration or new construction project.Check out our idea gallery for a few sample patterns or send us an email for more information.
Blue Ox columns are hand turned using the age old method of story-sticking to insure that each column is a masterpiece in its own right, and all our columns are custom so you can get the absolute perfect column for your renovation, restoration or new construction project.Check out our idea gallery for a few sample patterns or send us an email for more information.
Reviews (22)
H. I. S. Automotive
Jul 28, 2021
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Tracy
May 29, 2021
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The first few things we saw were interesting, but there was so much junk everywhere that is was hard to focus on any one thing. The buildings indicated on the map were either dilapidated or had a padlock, so there wasn’t anything to see beyond the main building. We were very disappointed and relieved to get away from the place.
Cyril Oberlander
Jan 29, 2021
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Cheryl Simmons
Dec 18, 2020
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Eric and Vivian were Fabulous! We felt like we were visiting a living museum. They showed us how to use hand and foot powered wood working equipment used to make parts for Victorian homes. They also shared their printing press, lapidary, old mining town on skids and much more. Very Cool and wonderful people! We spent over 2 hours here.
Mark Norris
Aug 01, 2020
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Serena Giordano
Dec 09, 2019
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We took a field trip here for K-3rd grade. It was a good length and there were some neat aspects, however the guides who I believe also run the place seemed like maybe children weren't their fortay. They did have some demonstrations the kiddos enjoyed, and it was interesting how they organized the different areas of trade. It's like taking a tour through history. Barney the horse in old town that gives stagecoach tours is boarded here, but they didn't tell us that, I found out from someone taking a class there. Apparently there are classes available to anyone 10 and older which is great, but I
Mark Ewell
Sep 23, 2019
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We were referred to the Blue Ox Millworks by the man that runs the Samoa Maritime Museum and we are SO glad he did. We had a fabulous time here and loved seeing all the old tools and the meticulous work that is done here. Eureka is so lucky to have such a wonderful institution in their midst. The work performed here ranges from millwork to stained glass, printing, sign making, creating wood finishes, lathe work, foundry work and much more! You MUST visit this place while in Eureka.
Christina C.
Jun 02, 2019
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Wonderful place to learn how things were made in the late 1800's and early 1900's. A great resource of you ever need wood trim, or a door for a Victorian building. This is the rare place that will duplicate the trim or door. The horses for the carriage ride in the historic downtown reside on the grounds, along with the coach. Their outreach program to teach local youth marketable skills is a great benifit to the community.
Trinette B.
Aug 25, 2018
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Ellen F.
May 20, 2018
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A little gem of a place. Yes it is very rustic and needs work, but the beauty of what they create is amazing. The programs that teach hands on skills amazing. It was a wonderful couple of hours just walking around and seeing things in process. I purchased a couple of pieces of student work. Happy to know part of the fee goes to the student.
Cara H.
Jan 26, 2018
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There is no place on earth like Blue Ox! It's impossible to put into words. You just have to experience it! It's a chance to step back in time.
There is a blacksmith shop that students, veterans, and class participants pound metal in, just the way it was done in the 1800's. Same with a stained glass studio, pottery studio with wood fire kiln, lapidary for stonework, foundry where they melt and pour metal, old fashioned puppet theater, sign painting shop, logging skid camp, weaving and spinning, and don't forget the wood working shop filed with operating machines ranging
There is a blacksmith shop that students, veterans, and class participants pound metal in, just the way it was done in the 1800's. Same with a stained glass studio, pottery studio with wood fire kiln, lapidary for stonework, foundry where they melt and pour metal, old fashioned puppet theater, sign painting shop, logging skid camp, weaving and spinning, and don't forget the wood working shop filed with operating machines ranging
Brendon C.
Aug 25, 2017
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This place is great if you are interested in how a historical turn of the century mill actually looked and ran. People complaining about a mess have clearly never worked or seen a real mill works in their life...smfh.
The work they do with at risk kids is amazing and the place has been visited by everyone from the secretary of the interior to the Clintons. It has some of the oldest working wood working equipment in the world.
The work they do with at risk kids is amazing and the place has been visited by everyone from the secretary of the interior to the Clintons. It has some of the oldest working wood working equipment in the world.
Patrick Williams
Jul 28, 2017
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My wife and I toured this place today and it is wonderful. If you're interested in woodworking this is a must see place while in Eureka. Our tour guide, Rainbow, gave us an introduction to the site and demonstrated some of the equipment. Afterward we were allowed to roam the grounds and take it all in. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Dan G.
Apr 04, 2017
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I read that they offer tours showing the ox pulling the saw equipment. Nowhere online or at the desk is there a posted your price so when we arrived he said: "How about $XX?" My husband paid and once I found out how much I was very disappointed! The location is very run down and the ox are dead. He did tell some interesting stories at the beginning and displayed the original man powered saws but then we were left to wander on our own and there wasn't much to look at.
Lynelle Urlacher
Jan 05, 2017
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This place is more of a school for hippies than a place for tourists. Very small sign to find the place but the students were working making a huge sign for a customer. Very cluttered, full of dust and dangerous to walk. I got my shirt caught on a barbed wire fence that also had an electric fence around a horse. NO OX ANYWHERE??
Mariella Mayra
Aug 20, 2016
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Wonderful, absolutely wonderful place. I don't know how else to describe it. We should up shortly before noon, only to find out Eric was closing early due to an appointment. Eric waa kind of enough to give us a brief 10 minute tour and talk to us. He didn't have to but he did. That meant a lot.
We were able to come back a couple of days later on our roadtrip and learn more about his shop, work with veterans and students.
If you ever find yourself in the area, please stop by and check it out!
We were able to come back a couple of days later on our roadtrip and learn more about his shop, work with veterans and students.
If you ever find yourself in the area, please stop by and check it out!
Simon F.
Jul 09, 2016
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The Blue Ox is a fascinating place where you can learn about the woodworking techniques used on Victorian buildings like those you can see in Eureka and Ferndale. They have lots of old woodworking machinery, some of which they demonstrate on the tour, and lots more which are used for real work, including a huge 14' wood lathe. There are lots of other crafts covered, including wood finishing, weaving, sign making, blacksmithing, casting, lapidary, glass making and pottery, all housed in the collection of somewhat ramshackle buildings around the site. It's fun to wander around and stumble
Heaven E.
Jun 26, 2014
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What a waste of time and money. We visited The Blue Ox Mill & Museum on June 20th, 2014. It is nothing but a dump that calls themselves a business that opened to the public in hopes of gaining tourist and a quick buck. Their "tour" consists of one woman who knows next to nothing about what she is talking about for the first fifteen minutes.
She shows pictures of shotty work the company has done over the years and pumps the owner as if he's some sort of wood working master poet. You do get to see a couple of antique human powered saws, but that's the only thing worth mentioning
She shows pictures of shotty work the company has done over the years and pumps the owner as if he's some sort of wood working master poet. You do get to see a couple of antique human powered saws, but that's the only thing worth mentioning
Aisha S.
Jun 17, 2014
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Eric Hollenbeck is as amazing as it gets and we will definitely be back.
After sharing with the locals that we were big art fans and my husband is a fabricator, Blue Ox Mill Works was suggested to us to tour. Conveniently located just off the side of Eureka's historic downtown area, when we arrived to Blue Ox, the gates were closed but the open sign was on. After seeing the outside of the area, we knew we had to get in to see all the great stuff that was happening behind those gates. I called, left a voice mail message, and we carried on about our day back in downtown, adventuring. Eric
After sharing with the locals that we were big art fans and my husband is a fabricator, Blue Ox Mill Works was suggested to us to tour. Conveniently located just off the side of Eureka's historic downtown area, when we arrived to Blue Ox, the gates were closed but the open sign was on. After seeing the outside of the area, we knew we had to get in to see all the great stuff that was happening behind those gates. I called, left a voice mail message, and we carried on about our day back in downtown, adventuring. Eric
Ink P.
Apr 08, 2014
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Laura M.
Aug 30, 2012
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We were so impressed with Blue Ox and all the things they do. The workmanship is fabulous and the staff is so knowledgeable about the equipment. I read the other review and the place is certainly "rustic" but I think that's part of the experience. School had just started so we got to see some of the kids cruising around. We will definitely be back!
T. F.
Aug 29, 2007
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Just returned from a trip to Eureka area. While there we wanted to check out the advertised tour of this historic Mill Works & School of Traditional Arts. My husband is a woodworker...he remodeled an old victorian we used to live in (over 100 years old) so we both were looking forward to seeing the Blue Ox.
Went on their web site and we saw lots of flyers advertising the Blue Ox at tourist spots along our route, quite frankly we were disapointed at what we saw. On arrival we went in and said we'd like a tour...be aware they do not accept plastic for payment...cash only. We had a
Went on their web site and we saw lots of flyers advertising the Blue Ox at tourist spots along our route, quite frankly we were disapointed at what we saw. On arrival we went in and said we'd like a tour...be aware they do not accept plastic for payment...cash only. We had a
