Special Workshops

Through this one-day workshop of lectures and demonstrations, Joe Slack discusses the essential elements of how to build a steel string acoustic guitar. He will show the different methods used to bend the curved sides, form and inlay the sound hole rosette and also the carving techniques used to form the neck of the guitar. He will discuss a variety of procedures and techniques that will inspire you as you consider making your own guitar.

Each student will have the opportunity to bend some sample guitar sides themselves using traditional bending techniques. Joe will discuss the various things to look for in the different tonewoods and guitar acoustics. We allow plenty of time for question and answer. Please sign up for this workshop as early as possible as we limit the class size to ten students.

Discover the traditional craft of timber framing

In this introductory hands-on workshop, our master craftsmen guide as you build a 16-foot by 24-foot timber-framed structure using methods developed and practiced by 17th- to 19th-century European and American craftsmen. Also included is an overview of the history of the different timber-framing traditions, the selection and properties of different woods, how to sawmill timbers and all the joints needed to timber-frame a complete building using traditional hand tools.

The workshop attendees will also visit the working timber frame sawmill and workshop of Heritage Restorations and the workshop will culminate in a traditional barn-raising of a timber-frame building that will remain on the property as a part of our model homestead and craft village.