A Herman Family Heritage

Mark Herman, owner of M.S. Herman & Company was raised in the construction industry. For over four generations his family has been involved with all aspects of the building trades in Connecticut and New York. From an early age, Mark has had first hand experience in a tradition of fine craftsmanship in all types of building projects combined with the spirit of Yankee ingenuity that yields a hands-on approach to life.

A 1983 graduate of Redding’s Joel Barlow High School, Mark attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia receiving a B. A. in American History and Studio Art. Upon graduation Mark returned to Connecticut and entered the family business full time.

The North Bennett Street School

After a few years, Mark’s desire to go further in the direction of historically based work lead him to Boston’s prestigious North Bennet Street School. Mark was accepted into the Preservation Carpentry department which specializes in intensive hands-on training in traditional building trades and preservation techniques such as period specific structural construction including timber framing, exacting traditional millwork and joinery and historically sensitive restoration and design.

The Millwork Business

Upon returning home to Connecticut in 1992, Mark started his own company with another NBSS graduate Ted Harris. Herman and Harris serviced the millwork needs of the Herman’s family business as well as outside projects such as the restoration of the spire at Saint Patrick’s Church on Redding Ridge Herman and Harris evolved into Mark Herman Housewright when Mr. Harris decided to return to his hometown of Chicago.

Gilbert and Bennett Location

With a small, well trained staff Mark’s business has grown from a 900 square foot shop to nearly 20,000 square feet with specialized equipment to produce a wide variety of work. Much of the expansion was accomplished when the business moved into its current facilities in the old Gilbert and Bennett Company complex, founded in1818, for the production of wire products, located in Georgetown, Connecticut. The turn of the century structure, part of the Georgetown Historic District is the ideal setting to produce historically inspired products. Recently the name of the business was changed to M. S. Herman & Company to reflect the wide range of craft projects the company undertakes.

Established Business

Intimate knowledge of historic detail, well rounded modern construction knowledge and old- time craftsmanship make M. S. Herman & Company stand out. The company has quickly become known for its ability to produce extremely fine moldings, millwork, and cabinetry with a decidedly traditional approach and building and restoring within historic context has become its hallmark.

Classic Coachwork

Much of Mark’s love of history and craftsmanship stems from his unique family hobby of collecting and restoring antique automobiles. Fostered by his father Stuart, Mark has enjoyed a lifelong passion for early motoring. Specializing in pre-1915 automobiles and more specifically the famous Stanley Steamer, Mark is a recognized expert in the field. These cars, being hand made, fit perfectly with Mark’s talents as a craftsman. In the course of collecting, preserving and operating these rolling works of art, owners must master many bygone trades or search high and low for someone who has. Missing or broken parts cannot be purchased at the local auto parts store, therefore it becomes necessary to make or repair them.

During college Mark had semester long internships at the renowned Owl’s Head Transportation Museum on the coast of Maine and Britain’s National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, England. In addition to academic study, Mark began reproducing parts for Stanley Steamers. At first, simply for use on his family’s own collection, soon collectors from around the world called requesting parts. Out of growing interest and immediate necessity Mark began learning pattern making, foundry technology, metal machining, coppersmithing, blacksmithing, and the art of coach building.

The Stanley Motor Carriage Company

Mark’s hobby has turned into a sister business for M. S. Herman & Company, . The company is recognized as the premier reproduction coach builder and a major supplier of parts and restoration services for steam car owners around the world. Beautiful curved wooden, rarely practiced in the past seventy five years is a specialty. The knowledge and skill developed in these engaging projects transfer to all of Mark’s endeavors. Mark’s coachwork has been featured in countless national shows and tours including several transcontinental trips and the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.