Antique wood stoves are not just collectibles. They tell a story about the history of heating technology and how we arrived at the type of stoves we use today. We can still learn a lot about efficiency and emissions from some of these old designs which were developed when everyone knew as much about stoves as people today know about cars. Wood stoves used to be a mix of function and artistry, and had to compete in a very crowded field. As other heating methods became more popular in the 1960s and 1970s, wood stove technology regressed to only a few basic model styles.

There are a number of outstanding antique collections of wood stoves in America, most of which also restore and/or sell stoves. Several of the six listed below have web presences where you can see their collections. All appear to welcome visits by the public and wood stove enthusiasts. If you know of any that we are missing, please let us know at info@forgreenheat.org.