Finally... We're there! The "Friends of Gutenberg" Printing Workshop-Museum, in Charmont-sous-Barbuise in the Aube region (10), was able to reopen its doors on May 19 and welcome in one week 6 classes of students and 3 leisure centers.
A long-standing project, the museum opened a year and a half ago, but with the Covid crisis, it was only really open for three months. Christian Davron, who worked as a printer at the Grande Imprimerie de Troyes before moving on to the press (Libération Champagne and l'Est Éclair), created the association Les Amis de Gutenberg in 2004 and worked for more than ten years to create the museum. A museum-workshop, which as its name indicates, is intended to be a living place with workshops and demonstrations.
Machines that work
"All machines are working or will be working soon. We print posters, bookmarks and business cards explains Christian Davron.
In a space of 190 m2 on the ground plus a floor, are gathered printing machines of all ages: old pedal press (Minerve), Ofmi Heidelberg platen considered the Mercedes of printers, Presto, hand press, letterpress machine (horned beast), Ludlow titling machine, linotype, guillotines, including a crown guillotine (entirely hand cranked) and another hydraulic and electric dating from the 60s, stapler, Martini stitcher bookbinder, melter to melt lead lines and recreate salmon, traditional typographic equipment (case, marble, row, etc.).)... And much more.
The printing house at the 19 e and 20 e centuries
During the visits, which last about an hour and a half, we discover the world of printing and its history. How newspapers were printed from the lead page to the stereotypes on the presses, how Célestin Freinet passed on knowledge through typography, the woodcuts of Charles Favet, a photo studio with a bellows chamber... Binding and calligraphy workshops are also organized in a dedicated room.
From June to September, the museum is open two afternoons a week and on the first Sunday of each month without appointment, as well as by appointment for 5 or more adults (free for children under 12).
