Join The Farmers' Museum interpreters for engaging and fun workshops. All workshops are held at The Farmers' Museum and require reservations. To make a reservation or for more information, please call 888.547.1410.
Blacksmithing I | August 14, August 15 | 9:00am-4:00pm
This class covers the core skills of blacksmithing. Try out blacksmithing for the first time, or expand your existing skills under the supervision of our master blacksmith. Practice managing a coal fire and forging skills such as drawing out, bending, twisting, and punching. Projects include making decorative hooks, fireplace tools, nails, and hanging brackets. No previous experience is necessary.
Fee: $150, includes materials and information packet
Blacksmithing II | August 21, August 22 | 9:00am-4:00pm
This class requires students who already have core blacksmithing skills. Work with more complex forging projects. Skills practiced include hot punching, mortise and tennon joints, forge welding, and reproduction of historic ironwork. Students should have taken Blacksmithing I or have prior permission of the instructor.
Fee: $150, includes materials and information packet
Introduction to Draft Animals | August 28 | 9:00am-4:00pm
A great introduction to nineteenth-century farming techniques! This workshop will introduce participants to a variety of skills needed in working with draft animals. Topics covered will include harnessing and hitching a single horse, yoking a team of oxen, plowing, cultivating, and use of a stone boat. Participants will have the opportunity to drive both the horse and the team of oxen.
Fee: $40
Fall into Honey | September 4 | 9:00am-1:00pm
This workshop offers a blend of discussion and hands-on activity. Participants will learn summer and winter habits of bees as well as historical and modern methods for extracting honey. Following discussion, participants will get to try their hand at extracting honey and dipping candles, and will sample several varieties of honey.
Fee: $40
Blacksmithing I | September 11, September 12 | 9:00am-4:00pm
This class covers the core skills of blacksmithing. Try out blacksmithing for the first time, or expand your existing skills under the supervision of our master blacksmith. Practice managing a coal fire and forging skills such as drawing out, bending, twisting, and punching. Projects include making decorative hooks, fireplace tools, nails, and hanging brackets. No previous experience is necessary.
Fee: $150, includes materials and information packet
Letterpress Printing | October 2 | 9:00am-4:00pm
This full-day workshop will give participants the opportunity to create their own letterpress “masterpiece” by using nineteenth century type, cuts, and presses. Participants will be walked through the process of setting and locking in type, inking and printing their own copies.
Fee: $75
Blacksmithing II - Forge Welding | October 9, October 10 | 9:00am-4:00pm
This class will be an intensive study of forge welding. Participants will study and practice the multiple kinds of forge welds found in traditional blacksmithing, including welding steel to wrought iron, low carbon steel to itself, and low carbon steel to high carbon steel. Study what makes welds work and what makes them fail. If you seek to become more confident at forge welding then this is the class for you!
Fee: $150, includes materials and information packet
Blacksmithing Intensive | November 9, November 12 | 9:00am-4:00pm
This class is a four-day tutorial designed to build forging skills while working on a journeyman project similar to the ABANA “Blacksmith’s Ring” projects. Students will study elements of English ironwork and incorporate them into a project. Then they will sketch a round or square window grill incorporating those elements. Finally they will then work to create the elements and assemble the completed project. This project is for intermediate to advanced students.
Fee: $300
Fragrant Waters | November 13 | 9:00am-12:00pm
Participants will aid in the preparation of a variety of fragrant waters as well as hot sauce and discuss methods for preparing extracts.
Fee: $40
Holiday Potpourri | December 4 | 10:00am-2:00pm
Spend an afternoon at The Farm immersed in four creative activities —preparing fragrant waters; printing a Christmas card; Hand-dipping candles; and forging a hook to hang your Christmas stocking. Each participant will also create and take home a bottle of fragrant water, a Christmas card, a pair of candles, and one wrought iron hook. For lunch, sample the warm fare in the Tavern or bring your own lunch. Limited to 20 participants - children must be accompanied by an adult and be at least 10 years of age.
Fee: $60
