Summary of qualifications

Doug Hansen, owner & operator of Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop established this business in 1978. He has worked as a wainwright and wheelwright since that time, specializing in the building and restoring of heavy wagons and wheels. Doug has made a point of researching and studying the original, authentic vehicles and performs all his work with special attention to following the original design and detail - to produce only authentic, quality workmanship. Doug also has 28 years experience in blacksmithing, hand-forging and metalwork. Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop is a fully equipped woodworking, and metalworking shop, with blacksmith shop and forge equipment necessary to perform all aspects of building and restoration work in the historic style of later 1800's and early 1900's vehicles. The Shop carries an inventory of antique original parts, as well as first quality raw materials for the production and manufacture of replacement parts.

Education

Graduation from Mitchell Public High School in 1977. A degree (graduating with honors) in welding from Mitchell Vocational Technical School, in Mitchell, SD, in 1977.

Professional experience

• Doug Hansen/ Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop has performed restoration and consultation services for Days Of '76 Museum in Deadwood, SD on historic vehicles in their collection, including stages, Mud wagons, ore wagons, farm wagons, beer wagon, and carriages. Research and documentation services were also provided, as well as recommendations for the preservation and conservation of various original historic vehicles from the late 1800's and early 1900's period.



• Doug Hansen / Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop has performed restoration and conservation services for the Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop for historic vehicles in their collection including, 5-glass Landau, an original Rigg's Democrat Wagon, Albany Cutter, and Moline Farm Wagon, as well as building new wheels for the StageCoach. Preservation of the original paint, parts and markings of the original vehicles was a priority. Documentation was also provided for all processes.



• Doug Hansen / Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop was commissioned by the Rebild Society of Aalborg, Denmark to restore and completely outfit an original Studebaker wagon- to depict the type used by Danish immigrants into America. This wagon is in the Rebild Museum in Denmark.

Additional professional activities

• Doug Hansen/ Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop was commissioned by the The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village of Deerborn Michigan to evaluate their horse drawn tour operation. In this evaluation the equipment was evaluated and recommendations were made for safe operations and a maintenance schedule planned.



• Doug Hansen participated in the South Dakota Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program fund-ed by the Cultural Heritage Center in South Dakota for two years. Throughout the program he provided training for apprentices who were interested in learning the wheelwright trade to further the continuation of that folk-trade in South Dakota.



• In addition, Doug has demonstrated the wheelwright trade at several folk art festivals, and thrashing events throughout the state, over the past 15 years.



• Throughout his years as wheelwright, Doug has participated in local, state, and other surrounding state's wagon trains and events, as well as provided services, repairs and tire setting for the wagon train participants. He was a member of the James River Wagon Train, in SD for a number of years.



• Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop offers research, consulting, and evaluation and assessment services on the authenticity, value and condition of collections, and full documentation.

Professional memberships

• Doug Hansen is a member of the Carriage Association of America and has been since 1985.



• Member of ABANA - Blacksmith Association since 1998.



• SD Blacksmith Association member since 1993.



• Member of the Canadian Wheelwright's Association since 1998.



• American Quarter Horse Association

• President of the Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association

• Board of Director of the Dakota Discovery Museum

 

References

Mark Straub - Days of '76 Museum - Deadwood, SD - 605-578-3629

Seth Hopkins - Booth Western Art Museum - Cartersville, GA - 770-387-1300

Doug Murphy - Wells Fargo Co - San Francisco, CA - 909-788-8169

Charles Watson - Watson Hdw & Oil Co. - Hampstead, NC - 910-620-7890