Piscataqua Pens are handcrafted wooden pens made in Maine, ranging from silky oak to pink ivory. Each pen is custom designed and hand turned on a lathe.
ine. Ciampa began woodworking at age 6 with his late grandfather, Anthony Ciampa, at their cabin in Meredith, NH. Together they crafted furniture and toys. Ciampa continued woodworking as a hobby throughout his life, attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy -- Kings Point, serving in the United States Navy, and obtaining his M.B.A. while pursuing a professional career in operations management. Piscataqua Pens are true works of art, and make impressive holiday, birthday or corporate gifts. Single custom pens are available in a variety of styles including Cigar, Sierra, Slimline, Comfort, Euro and Fancy. Piscataqua “His & Her Companion Set” is displayed in a smooth, polished handmade wooden pen box – a magnificent engagement, wedding or anniversary gift! Piscataqua History
The Piscataqua River is a 12-mile long tidal estuary that divides New Hampshire and Maine, and is the third fastest-flowing navigable river in the world. Named by the area's original Abenaki inhabitants, "Piscataqua" is believed to be a combination of "peske" (branch) with "tegwe" (a river with a strong current, possibly tidal). In 1623 the first sawmill in the United States opened on the Piscataqua River near York, Maine. It was mainly built to export lumber to England since the colonies had an abundance of forest. In 1634, the first shipment of masts, from white pines, were sent to England. That same year, 1634, the first water-powered sawmill was created near Berwick, Maine. As the years passed, many sawmills popped up around the area and, by 1840, New England was home to about 5,500 sawmills. With over 80% of its land forested, Maine is called “The Pinetree State,” and boasts numerous tree species. The tallest tree in Maine is said to be a 135 foot tall red spruce located in Blanchard. Other state champions (2010) include a yellow poplar, standing 129 feet, and a 126 foot eastern cottonwood.
