Description: This is a two day class which takes place Saturday, March 1 from 9 am - 5 pm AND Sunday, March 2 from 1-5 pm.
Learn the techniques and secrets to making hand-cut dovetail joints as you work with the cabinetmaker at Living History Farms. Each participant will construct a chest using 19th century hand- and foot-powered woodworking tools. Bring a sack lunch, and wear clothes appropriate for a working cabinetmaker shop. Cost of all materials included in cost of class. Sorry; due to safety reasons, no one under age 18 please.

Blacksmithing Basics

Description: Small class size guarantees lots of one-on-one instruction and lots of time at the forge! Explore the basics of forge work in a blacksmith shop while making a decorative iron project to take home. The class is designed to give someone with little or no metal working skills a hands-on, fun “be a blacksmith for a day” experience. Topics will include safety, tools and equipment, and beginning techniques for shaping metal. Dress for working in a shop, and for the weather (shop is heated by a woodburning stove only!). Bring eye protection. Cost of materials included in cost of class. Please- no one under 18, for safety reasons.

Blacksmithing: Parent/Child Exploration

Description: This class will allow a parent/grandparent to work with a child/grandchild as they learn about historic blacksmithing techniques in a historic setting. Everyone will get to make several small, hands-on projects, such as dinner triangles, hooks, and so on, while learning about proper safety in a workshop environment. All costs of materials included in costs of class. Dress for working in a shop, and for the weather. Bring eye protection. Minimum number of participants is 2 pairs of 2. Maximum number of participants is 4 pairs of 2.

Using Bench Planes in Woodworking

Description: This is a two day class which takes place Saturday, March 8 from 9 am - 5 pm AND Sunday, March 9 from 1-5 pm.
Small class size guarantees lots of 1-1 instruction and attention! This class focuses on the setting and use of bench planes for woodworking. Modern woodworkers will discover tips and techniques to speed and add precision to their work. Tuning and sharpening will start the first day, followed by foursquaring a board. Sorting and choosing boards will also be covered. Sunday will provide participants the chance to work on a project. Tools will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Cost of materials included in cost of class.

Blacksmithing Basics

Description: Small class size guarantees lots of one-on-one instruction and lots of time at the forge! Explore the basics of forge work in a blacksmith shop while making a decorative iron project to take home. The class is designed to give someone with little or no metal working skills a hands-on, fun “be a blacksmith for a day” experience. Topics will include safety, tools and equipment, and beginning techniques for shaping metal. Dress for working in a shop, and for the weather (shop is heated by a woodburning stove only!). Bring eye protection. Cost of materials included in cost of class. Please- no one under 18, for safety reasons.

Blacksmithing: Parent/Child Exploration

Description: This class will allow a parent/grandparent to work with a child/grandchild as they learn about historic blacksmithing techniques in a historic setting. Everyone will get to make several small, hands-on projects, such as dinner triangles, hooks, and so on, while learning about proper safety in a workshop environment. All costs of materials included in costs of class. Dress for working in a shop, and for the weather. Bring eye protection. Minimum number of participants is 2 pairs of 2. Maximum number of participants is 4 pairs of 2.

Soups on a Wood-burning Stove

Description: Join Living History Farm staff for some “stick to your ribs” soup, biscuits, and a cup of fresh coffee! Students will learn how to make soups, along with biscuits, on a wood burning stove at the 1875 Tangen House. At the end, everyone will sit down to a late supper of their culinary projects. Recipes will be provided. Class size is limited to eight students; advance registration only. No registrations taken the day of the class. All cost of materials included in cost of class.

Make a 19th Century Coffin by Hand

Description: This is a two day class which takes place Saturday, March 15 from 9 am - 5 pm AND Sunday, March 16 from 1-5 pm.
Small class size guarantees lots of 1-1 instruction and attention! This 2-day class focuses on building a replica of a late-19th century coffin completely by hand. This is a very intensive, hands-on project. Wood (pine) will be provided, and the cost of materials is included in cost of class. Some tools will also be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Handles and hinges will not be provided, but examples and sources for buying them will be provided.

Spinning with a Spinning Wheel for Beginners

Description: Learn the basics of transforming wool into yarn. Participant will card wool, spin with a drop spindle, and learn to use a spinning wheel. Small class size guarantees lots of individual attention and plenty of time to practice! Have your own wheel? Feel free to bring it along; otherwise, use one of the spinning wheels provided by Living History Farms. Cost of materials included in cost of class. Plenty of handouts provided! Call Living History Farms (telephone # 515-278-5286 ext. 157) for directions on how to get to this class.

Dye Your Own Yarn - the Natural Way

Description: Add visual interest and colors to your yarn crafts by learning the age old skill of natural dyeing. Participants will be using small skeins of wool yarn while learning how to prepare, dye and set fibers. The dye pots will be brewing as you dye yarns with roots, kitchen leftovers, flowers, and even bugs to get playful effects in yarn you can use for a plethora of crafts. Help with the “kitchen leftovers” by bringing any onion skins you can! Cost of materials included in cost of class. Plenty of handouts provided! Call Living History Farms (telephone # 515-278-5286 ext. 157) for directions on how to get to this class.

Norwegian Smørgåsbord

Description: Learn to create and serve a real Norwegian koltbord (commonly known as a smørgåsbord). Class members will discover how to make traditional dishes such as krumkake, sandbakkels, and lefse on a wood burning stove during this day-long class. Later, sit down to enjoy the meal, and don’t forget to bring containers to take home your leftovers! Cost of materials and take-home recipe booklet included in cost of class.

Basics of Draft Horse Driving

Description: Small class size guarantees lots of 1-1 instruction, and driving time! Learn the basic commands for driving a team of draft horses. Go through the process of harnessing and grooming a horse. Practice the basic commands by doing some ground driving, and then by driving a wagon. Lots of instructors insure that you will have lots of one-to-one instruction. Bring gloves and dress for the weather and for being on a farm! Class will be held rain or shine. Participants will also receive handouts about the basic care of horses and basic driving techniques.

Basics of Draft Horse Driving

Description: Small class size guarantees lots of 1-1 instruction, and driving time! Learn the basic commands for driving a team of draft horses. Go through the process of harnessing and grooming a horse. Practice the basic commands by doing some ground driving, and then by driving a wagon. Lots of instructors insure that you will have lots of one-to-one instruction. Bring gloves and dress for the weather and for being on a farm! Class will be held rain or shine. Participants will also receive handouts about the basic care of horses and basic driving techniques.