Bivins, John, 1940-

John Franklin Bivins, Jr., was a carver, maker of gunstocks, lecturer, author, museum employee, and consultant in early Southern decorative arts. His father collected antiques, including old muskets and rifles, and John became interested in repairing them so they could be used again. . In 1968, he began work at Old Salem. On the side, he made and carved gunstocks. He became director of publications for the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) and began to lecture on antiques. Eventually, he left MESDA to concentrate on wood carving and lecturing. John Bivins died in Manchester, Vermont, on August 16, 2001.

From the description of John Bivins papers, 1964-ca.1991. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 463296726