It's a special dad who teaches his children life lessons that shape who they are and what they become. Take for example the Howard family of Stoughton, Wisconsin.
William Howard is a Master Goldsmith, and father to master Goldsmith Missy and master Blacksmith Aaron. William's been teaching his children his craft for as long as they can remember, as Missy explains:
"I made my very first ring when I was five years old, because my dad's a jeweler, so he had me come up to the shop and made a little silver ring with a little daisy with it."
For Father's Day, the Howards would likely rather swap tools than gifts, but what Missy and Aaron give their dad every day is something money can't buy. It's pride, love and the ability to see them carry on the family trade into the future.
Material Culture contributor Gianofer Fields took a visit to the Howard Academy to learn more about their family tradition:
Gianofer Fields studies material culture at UW-Madison and is the curator of "It's a Material World" - a project funded by the Chipstone Foundation, a decorative arts foundation whose mission is preserving and interpreting their collection, as well as stimulating research and education in the decorative arts.
Original air date: 06/15/13
