This course combines the core of our previous timber framing, homebuilding, and apprenticeship curriculums into one package for those seeking a career in timber framing or a deeper understanding of the skills needed to build their own timber frame. It's ideal for those who seek more opportunities for development than are provided in our one-week […]
You will be part of a team restoring tongue and grooved wood flooring in a historic house in the Central Park National Historic District in Hannibal, Missouri. This is a tuition-based class with a limit of 8 students. You will be working side-by-side all three days with instructor Bob Yapp. Bob is nationally recognized as […]
Repointing Special Joint Profiles Using Lime Mortar 1 Day – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm As the number of historic buildings continues to increase, so does the demand for masons who have the necessary skill and knowledge critical to the preservation of vintage structures. A skilled and exacting mason can match rebuilt sections of masonry […]
The decision to repoint a masonry structure is most often related to some obvious signs of deterioration, such as disintegrating mortar, cracks in mortar joints, loose bricks or stones, or damp walls. On the surface, restoration projects may appear straightforward and intuitive, but there’s no substitute for skill and experience. Good repointing practices guarantee the […]
Restoring Historic Wood Windows (Including Sash Mechanics) (3 days) – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm daily Old windows continue to be important to the mechanics of historic buildings as well as admirable architectural and woodworking achievements. As one of the few parts of a façade serving as both an interior and exterior feature, windows and […]
Learn how to forge your own woodworking chisels—and leave with one that you’ve made yourself. Class size is limited. For details, please contact us at 251-525-6274 or email jerry@theblacksmithexperience.com. Important Notes: A signed liability waiver is required to participate. Waivers will be distributed and signed on the first day of class. A copy of the waiver is available for […]
Wednesdays ~ April 8, 15, 22, 29 6:00pm-9:00pm Woodturning is a truly satisfying craft, and the raw materials to produce useful, gorgeous and unique objects are all around us. This four-session class will introduce you to the lathe and the tools used to shape a basic piece of wood into a unique, attractive and useful […]
Basic Plaster Wall Repair 1 Day – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm A traditional and versatile building material, plaster was historically used as a protective and decorative coating for walls and ceilings. Plaster can result in finishes much harder than drywall which creates a more durable wall surface, and is more adaptable for specialty design […]
In this two-day hands-on masonry workshop under the guidance of Master Craftsman David Gibney, participants will learn and practice traditional repointing techniques using both real-world conditions and controlled training environments. Register here to join us. Dates Friday, April 10 - Saturday, April 11, 2026 Times 8:30 am - 4:30 pm daily Location 6129 Butterfly Lane, […]
Faux (Fake) Painting & Restoration of Painted Stone & Wood Grain will be a unique class. Before the 1870’s it was not very classy to have much real, natural wood. You could really show your affluence if you could afford an artist to grain your plain pine or poplar to look like exotic woods such […]
Learn how to forge your own woodworking chisels—and leave with one that you’ve made yourself. Class size is limited. For details, please contact us at 251-525-6274 or email jerry@theblacksmithexperience.com. Important Notes: A signed liability waiver is required to participate. Waivers will be distributed and signed on the first day of class. A copy of the waiver is available for […]
In this full day workshop, participants will gain skills needed to identify woods no matter what the sample size, be it a board, a log, or a small sample. The class will focus on common hardwoods and softwoods of North America. Skills learned can be applied to identification of non-native species as well. Participants will […]
Learn the fundamentals of building a structurally sound dry stone wall in a single day from one of the five women North America qualified to teach dry stone walling. Here is your gateway into dry stone walling, a traditionally male dominated field. Whether you are trying the craft on for size, you are engaging in […]
This fast-paced two-day introduction moves students through the fundamentals of blacksmithing: basic hammering and forging techniques, heat treating, forge welding, and identification of “found” steels will be explored. Safety, tools, techniques, materials, terminology, and shop set-up will all be discussed. Students will make a cold chisel, drift punch, bottle opener, and wall hook in this […]
The challenging process of a blacksmithing project creates an environment and guidance that, through challenge, enables learners to leave with a renewed sense of empowerment and self-confidence. This two-hour experience will take the students through a demonstration and introduction to the forge. They will practice some basic blacksmithing skills while creating their first forged hook! […]
The challenging process of a blacksmithing project creates an environment and guidance that, through challenge, enables learners to leave with a renewed sense of empowerment and self-confidence. This four-hour experience will take students through the process of forging a basic knife with a paracord-wrapped handle. No experience is required! $300 per student 1 pm - […]
The key to using hand tools correctly is a sharp edge - learn how the masters make it look so easy. Join expert woodworker and machinist Bob Goppold for a one day workshop on sharpening hand planes and chisels. Learn the physical properties of tools, how to know when a blade needs sharpening, and several […]
Historic Plaster-Making & Restoring Decorative Plaster is a fun and intense, three-day, hands-on, learn by doing, total immersion experience in historic plaster molding creation and repair. Students will learn state-of-the-art techniques in mold making, casting & mixing plaster. You will also learn to create straight runs of plaster moldings. How these decorative plaster elements are installed […]
Introduction to Mineral Paints & Stains 1 day – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Discover the history behind and the differences between mineral based coatings to decorate masonry as opposed to using modern paints. This class will demonstrate how to match historic brick and stone colors using potassium silicate paints and stains along with covering […]
This two-day hands-on drystone workshop is focused on repairing and constructing dry-laid stone walls. Under the guidance of Neil Rippingale, participants will learn traditional drystone techniques and practice using both real-world conditions and controlled training environments. Register here to join us. Dates Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18, 2026 Times 8:15 am - 4:30 […]
A basic introduction to carpentry and power tools. This two-day course is an introduction to the vast world of carpentry. You'll learn key vocabulary, become comfortable using basic hand tools, and gain confidence and fundamental knowledge to pursue future carpentry projects by completing a small project. Read Syllabus Class Schedule: April 18-19, Saturday - Sunday, […]
Join North Bennet Street School’s Teen Craft & Trade Intensives during the February and April 2026 school breaks! Designed for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (ages 15-18), these week-long programs offer an exciting introduction to hands-on trades and crafts in a supportive, small-class setting. Instructor: Kolin Schmidt CF ’21 Teaching Assistant: TBD Class Description: In this week-long […]
Join the Timber Frame Engineering Council and Timber Framers Guild from April 23-25, 2026, for a Timber Grading Workshop at the Rocky Mountain Joinery Center in Lafayette, Colorado. Who should attend: Engineers, architects, timber frame carpenters, sawmill operators, builders, or anyone needing to understand and apply timber stress-grading rules. Cost: $1,200 per person. Includes two […]
Repointing Special Joint Profiles Using Lime Mortar 1 Day – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm As the number of historic buildings continues to increase, so does the demand for masons who have the necessary skill and knowledge critical to the preservation of vintage structures. A skilled and exacting mason can match rebuilt sections of masonry […]
The decision to repoint a masonry structure is most often related to some obvious signs of deterioration, such as disintegrating mortar, cracks in mortar joints, loose bricks or stones, or damp walls. On the surface, restoration projects may appear straightforward and intuitive, but there’s no substitute for skill and experience. Good repointing practices guarantee the […]
Apply the principles and methods for building a structurally sound dry stone wall to building a retaining wall. Learn the fundamentals of retaining walls; did you know they are also double-faced? Sort and stage stone for the build, assist in batter frame setup, and build a retaining wall. Workshop Objective: To extend the basic […]
This two-day class builds on skills learned in Blacksmithing I and introduces new skills, such as punching and riveting. Students will make a center punch, a pot trivet, and a set of tongs. Students will also be able to work on personal projects with the experienced instructors and ample supplies here at Tillers. Intermediate class […]
Two days give you more hands-on time to apply the basic principles. Spend more time working with batter frames and stringlines. Sleep on what you learn and come back to practice with guidance. Get exposed to basic stone shaping and stone splitting. Enjoy more time interacting with waller-teachers and getting answers to your questions. Learn […]
About This Event In Fall 2016, the Education Department at St. Luke’s presented its first Cemetery Preservation Workshop. This workshop program is a free workshop designed to provide volunteers with the training and knowledge they need to complete minor cleaning and care of historic tombstones and monuments. They are hands-on workshops that are also intended […]
Work in a small team to assemble stairs. Come learn design principles for steps, proper base preparation, and how to move and manipulate large stone. Learn, too, how to integrate steps into other hardscape elements. Workshop Objective: To provide the basic knowledge required to build steps that are stable, durable, and safe to use. Learning […]