Handmade musical instruments that are as beautiful to listen to as they are to look at. Former Professor of History, Archie Smith, handcrafts unusual wooden string instruments(psaltaries, dulcimers) which, when played, resemble the delicate sound vibrations of violins. His pieces rest across your lap and you pull the horsehair bow across them to elicit music. Each piece is a conversation grabber, even if you never play it yourself. To turn a hobby into a late in life career is the dream of many retirees… this man made it happen. His original craftsmanship was recently shown at the juried Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival of 2008.