Howard Graphic Equipment is pleased to announce the opening of Howard Iron Works Printing Museum and Antique Restoration Facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.  The Museum has assembled a diverse and important collection of printing machinery and materials from the mid 19^th to the 20^th century.  This period of history has been considered to be possibly the most prolific and important period in the development of printing equipment and processes in the history of communication. 

“After many years of direct involvement in the printing industry, we set about to build a museum of printing history with focus on machinery from the 1830’s to 1950’s,” states Nick Howard, President of Howard Graphic Equipment and Chief Curator of the Museum.  “This period was an exciting time for not only worldwide technology, but also improvements to the printing press. Unlike any other, printing has spurred man to great things.”

The collection features a large selection of printing presses – from the highly decorated Columbian, Washington and Albion presses, to the more utilitarian varieties, and the rather rare Acorn and Stanhope presses.  In addition to the printing presses, Howard Iron Works Museum also showcases bookbindery, typesetting and related machinery, as well as an impressive selection of books, trade journals and ephemeras of the period.

“Howard Iron Works is supported by world-class talent in order to restore and present this equipment just as it would have been when leaving the original factories more than a century ago,” adds Nick Howard. “Each piece of equipment is carefully dismantled, expertly cleaned, and reassembled. The restoration process requires a thorough research to ensure completeness and authenticity. The decorative detailing of the equipment is achieved by hand respecting the talents of the 19^th century artisans.” 

The collection is currently housed within the facility of Howard Graphic Equipment in Mississauga, Ontario.  A plan to build a permanent home for the Museum is underway with a projected completion date of early 2015.    

“We look forward to moving the Museum to its new home next year, as we have great plan to expand the collection and to build a working 19^th century printshop where we hope to inspire a new generation of print artists,” says Liana Howard, Museum’s Co-curator and Art Director. “Furthermore, and more importantly, we will be able to realize our ultimate goal in building the museum which is a way for us to give back to the print community via the use of the future facility for philanthropic purposes.” 

The Howard Iron Works website address is: www.howardironworks.org.