13 Throwback Magazine Covers From the Family Handyman Archives

Family HandymanUpdated: Sep. 26, 2017

The Family Handyman has been around since 1951 - that's a long time! Take a trip down memory lane with us and see some of our greatest hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Plus, click through for a peek at our very first issue, and check out which celebrity graced our cover in 1981!

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September 1986

Doesn't this sunroom from our September 1986 cover look relaxing?

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March 1993

This March 1993 cover is soooo 90s (but we still love the fort)!

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January 1982

Our January 1982 cover had an environmentalist message that we still stand behind today.

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August 1972

The August 1972 issue has us dreaming of warmer weather.

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May/June 1981

No, this cover photo from May/June 1981 wasn't a joke—we really built furniture from burlap and 2x4s!

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September 1978

The age-old question (See? Here's the proof!): How much insulation is enough? We answered this and more in our September 1978 issue.

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March 1974

Let's take a trip back to March of 1974, when we were celebrating 24 years of service to do-it-yourselfers. Wonder if the 'resilient tile flooring' from the cover is still going strong!

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January 1978

In January 1978 we showed you how to paint your walls with this groovy pattern. Nice high-waisted jeans!

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October 1976

In October 1976, wooden, modular furniture graced the cover of The Family Handyman. Looks like a sauna in there!

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September 1972

These mod bunk beds were all the rage in 1972, when an issue of The Family Handyman only cost 60 cents! Would you sleep here?

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March 1981

The cover of our March 1981 issue featured a young Geraldo Rivera!

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May/June 1979

Check out this vintage Family Handyman cover from May/June 1979! This issue featured a groovy guide to hot tub installation and only cost $1.25!

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Winter 1951

Here's what the very first issue of The Family Handyman looked like in 1951. We sure have come a long way since then!

Originally Published: August 09, 2016