Warren in Lancaster, PA
My pole lathe centers are around 43. On an electric lathe some turners hold their hands quite close together on the tool. I think for the pole lathe it is helpful to have somewhat longer tool handles and spread the hands out, maybe a foot or more apart. This gives more leverage and control. The right hand can be held quite low.

So there could be differences in tool presentation, or it could be that the lathe at Old Salem was just not that well set up.