Member Talk
n Lawler
Foundry Corp. makes a generous donation of cash and equipment to erect a first-class foundry on the grounds of the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, TN.
By Todd Daniel Editor
operations, but this area must soon be vacated to make room for the museum’s new library project. Making the new foundry possible is a generous gift from Lawler Foundry Corp. of On the eve of the National Ornamental Birmingham, AL. In addition to providing Metal Museum’s 25th anniversary, the a $50,000 donation for construction, Lawler facility took another giant step forward on Foundry will also help to equip the facility. October 18 with the dedication of the new According to Lawler CEO Stan Lawler, “My Lawler Foundry. personal interest in the National OrnamenOnce completed, the foundry will provide tal Metal Museum has been sustained by the a much-needed addition to the museum museum’s commitment to furthering the grounds, which already include a gallery, public’s awareness of fine metalwork.” As a morning fog began to lift, Stan surhousing, a smithy, and conservation lab. For 10 years, museum staff and volunteers veyed the construction site prior to the had used a small area of a shed for casting ceremony and reminisced. “This foundry is probably bigger than my dad’s first foundry, which started out in a corner of his machine shop,” he said. In those days, the company, which was founded in 1933, was primarily a machine shop, but their small foundry continued to grow and eventually became the main part of the business. Stan has had a strong interest in the museum since the idea was born 28 years ago. According to NOMMA records, a group of members from the Memphis area proposed the idea of a museum Museum director Jim Wallace and Lawler Foundry CEO during the 1975 convention in Stan Lawler shake hands following the dedication cer46
In a dramatic ceremony, the first posts are raised. The steel was provided by longtime NOMMA member Keeler Iron Works of Memphis, TN.
For your information
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The birth of a foundry
Project: Lawler Foundry Corp. has made a generous donation to build a foundry on the grounds of the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Background: Lawler Foundry is a long-time supporter of the museum, and Stan Lawler is a founding member of the board of trustees. Lawler Foundry Corp. P.O. Box 320069 Co n tact Birmingham, AL 35232 Ph: (800) 624-9512 Fax: (205) 595-0599 www.lawlerfoundry.com National Ornamental Metal Museum 374 Metal Museum Dr. Memphis, TN 38106 Ph: (901) 774-6380 Fax: (901) 774-6382 www.metalmuseum.com
Fabricator n November-December 2003