View full size image or right-click on image to save
View full size image or right-click on image to save
View full size image or right-click on image to save
Watchmaker's workbench and tools, ca. 1930
This workbench belonged to Aaron Yormark. He served a seven-year apprenticeship in the watchmaking trade in Perm located in the Ural mountains of Russia. With the turmoil in Russia at the end of WWI, he left his parents and siblings for Siberia to avoid conscription in the army. He met and married Anna Yavorsky in Vladivostock and they fled to Shanghai, China. He applied for a visa to the US and seven years later it was granted. The Yormark family arrived in Seattle at Pier 91 on December 13, 1930. Aaron first worked a jewelry store downtown, then in 1931 opened a small watch repair shop on University Way. The workbench had a low adjustable piano stool so that Aaron sat with his back straight and his nose was level with the bench top. He worked until 1963 and died in 1969.
ID Number: 2001.83.1
Date: Circa 1930
Physical Description: 1 Workbench; wood, metal; 39 in.H x 38 in.W x 22 in.D
Place Made: United States of America, WASHINGTON, Seattle
Credit: MOHAI, 2001.83.1