Our Officers and Board Members
President Johnny C. House
Johnny is not just Hershel's youngest brother, but also an accomplished flintlock builder and knife and sheath maker in his own right. He had an exciting childhood going on camping trips with Hershel, playing in his shop, and watching Hershel make his handmade creations. Early on, Hershel recognized Johnny's remarkable skill in working with his hands and began to impart his knowledge to him.
As a proficient teacher, Johnny has helped teach alongside Hershel and his other brother Frank and has recently held a well-received sheath seminar. He focuses on forging beautiful knives and iron gun mounts, demonstrating his expertise in these areas. Johnny is also an exceptional musician, playing with his local band on the porch of the old general store he reclaimed from downtown Woodbury and reconstructed on his property.
Given his intimate knowledge of Hershel and his teaching style, Johnny brings a wealth of knowledge to the foundation. His contribution to the field of blacksmithing is invaluable, and he is an essential part of all the seminars he has taught.
Secretary Phil “Doc” Hurley
Phil’s first exposure to the “Longrifle Culture” was 2009 when he attended the CLA in Lexington, KY at the invitation of the Mills family of Owensboro, KY. They helped start the CLA. He was hooked immediately and having become a user and collector of items made by the artists of the CLA ever since.
Since 2009 was the year that the “House Brothers Handmade Longrifle” was raffled off, He heard an awful lot about Hershel, Frank, and John at that show. Phil quickly came to appreciate the reputation and respect rightly paid to each of them. It wasn’t until the 2018 CLA that Phil met Hershel in person when he stopped by his table at the CLA, and they were introduced. In 2019, he had the opportunity to buy one of Hershel’s rifles from Hal Rogers’ widow. The gun had not been used for some time and needed some minor repairs. He took the gun to Hershel, and he had it in working condition in short order. While he was working on it, Phil learned that he had some health issues. As a physician, he offered to help him with them. This doctor-patient relationship grew into a deeper friendship than he otherwise would have had with him. As such, Phil considers it an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of his Foundation which is dedicated to the perpetuation of his legacy and the preservation of his home, workshops, and properties.
Board Member Daniel Casey
Since his youth, Daniel has been captivated by the richness of American history, which motivated him to embark on the path of becoming a skilled blacksmith. At the age of fifteen, he was fortunate enough to spend a memorable summer with the House brothers, where Hershel House imparted the art of traditional bladesmithing and rifle building to him. This exceptional experience had a profound impact on Daniel, and he forged a strong bond with Hershel.
Daniel's passion and hard work eventually led him to star in the television show, "Iron and Fire," which aired on the History Channel. The show featured Daniel's impressive blacksmithing skills and also showcased his ability to create remarkable pieces of art. In addition, he participated in the highly acclaimed competition show "Forged in Fire," where his exceptional knife-making skills were on full display.
Daniel's remarkable expertise in rifle and knife building makes him ideal for our board. We believe that his passion for our educational mission and his exceptional skills will make him an invaluable asset to our team.
Board Member Bear
Comming Soon!
Board Member Ron Prescott
Comming Soon!
Board Member Chad Henle
Chad had the desire to build a longrifle at a young age, but he was unimpressed with the available kits. He first learned about Hershel from the local Department of Wildlife TV show Kentucky Afield, where Tim Framer interviewed Hershel in his “undisclosed man cave”. After seeing Hershel’s shop with the antique tools and deer antlers, he knew he had found the right person to learn how to build a longrifle.
In 2009, Chad attended the CLA show and saw the House brothers' rifle, which created a frenzy when auctioned off. He also participated in the NMLRA Gunsmith Seminar in 2013, where he built an early-style .54 caliber gun, which he later harvested his first muzzleloading deer. Chad continued to participate in other seminars, also learning how to forge knives from Hershel, his brothers John and Frank, and Daniel Casey.
Chad is responsible for designing our t-shirts and handling our graphic design. He also built and maintains the foundation’s website. We are proud to have him as part of the foundation’s team due to his passion for learning and history, as well as his experience as a teacher and artist.
Vice President/Treasurer Rick Brown
Comming Soon!
Board Member Ian Pratt
Ian first met Hershel in the winter of 2006 during a gun seminar that was being taught by Hershel and Johnny.
At that time, Ian was already a successful full-time gunmaker, but Hershel's unique style of gun making influenced him greatly. Hershel had taken traditional Longrifle building and successfully made it his own, and Ian saw him as one of the rare gunmakers whose work was on the cutting edge of the evolution of longrifle art. This gave Ian the license to explore his own ideas and see if they would go anywhere.
As many of you know, those ideas did come to fruition and Ian has created some of the most beautiful and innovative long rifles in the contemporary Longrifle community.
Ian's creative eye and his dedication to teaching, having worked as an instructor at previous House seminars, make him a welcome addition to the foundation and anyone who has the opportunity to learn from him.
Board Member Alan Johnson
Comming Soon!
Board Member James Faulkner
Comming Soon!.