Learn the unique values and considerations that have shaped Vermont vernacular architecture. Rooted in place-based analysis, this course explores Vermont’s architectural history—from Indigenous dwellings to contemporary sustainable design. You'll examine how the built environment reflects the state's landscape, values, and evolving social and economic conditions, gaining a deeper understanding of Vermont’s design legacy. Read Syllabus […]
Essential framing and power tool skills for structures. Learn the essential tools, terms, and techniques of carpentry while building a small structure such as a shed or playhouse. In this supportive, hands-on course, you’ll safely use a range of hand and power tools and explore the basics of house framing, layout, and the “anatomy” of […]
Dates: March 6-7, 2026 Cost: $470 Overview: We will answer your business questions through small groups and informal discussions. Topics will include: starting up a business (legal structure, insurance), marketing, sales, operations (employees, management), contracts and contract types, leadership, and estimating the cost and sale price of producing a timber frame. We will share resources […]
This program is focused on analyzing, diagnosing, and treating common plaster failures. If you own or manage a historic property, or simply wish you knew more about caring for plaster walls, this is the perfect program for you! Learn from Rory Brennan of Plaster Magic. He’s spent decades stabilizing and reattaching historic plaster instead of tearing it […]
Making Wooden Storm Windows is a fun and intense, three-day, hands-on learning experience. Students will how to make traditional, wooden storm windows. You will be part of a team building exterior storms for a house in one of the buildings in a Hannibal Historic District. This is a tuition-based class with a limit of eight […]
In this timber framing course, we will layout timbers using the traditional square rule method developed in the early 1800s. Participants will learn proper hand tool use and sharpening techniques and will also have the opportunity to make pegs using a shaving horse and draw knife. The instructors will provide demonstrations of how to layout […]
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 […]
The dovetail joint is one of the strongest and most beautiful techniques in woodworking. Join SBWI alumni Jaime Marvin as she demystifies how to make dovetails completely by hand. Students will learn how to properly use layout tools, chisels and handsaws. The first day will be spent cutting dovetails and pins and the second day […]
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. […]
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. Dates Friday, April 10 - Saturday, April 11, 2026 Times 8:30 am - 4:30 pm daily Location 6129 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD 21703 Level Introductory […]
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. Dates Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18, 2026 Times 8:15 am - 4:30 pm daily Location Gathland State […]
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, […]