CURRENT HOURS: General touring is closed for the season. Visit Events and Programs for special events.
Want to know more about a something you saw at Living History Farms, interested in learning a new skill, or just want to have fun with friends or family? Then sign up for one of our Historic Skills Classes!
You will work in small groups to learn more about a specific skill or trade that was common in the 19th century, from baking to blacksmithing. And with a small class size, you are guaranteed lots of individualized instruction and plenty of opportunity to participate.
Life is busy for everyone! Don’t have time for a three hour learning adventure, but still want to explore a historic craft or cooking skill? Join us for a Signature Sampler!
These experiences target one specific project and provide a fun sample of the tastes, talents, and atmosphere found in our historic kitchens and craft shops. Not as intense as our longer classes, these samplers allow participants to dip their toes in the Living History pool!
These are classes are offered at $37/person. Most classes are for adults ages 18 and up. Classes marked as Teen Friendly are open to teens ages 12 and up when accompanied by a parent or guardian (18 or older) who is also registered for the class.
Date
|
Time |
Subject |
Location |
| Tuesday, October 1 | 6:15-7:45pm | Oven Baked Cornbread & Honey Butter* | Tangen Home |
| Tuesday, October 15 | 6:15-7:30pm | Apple Doughnuts and Cider | Tangen Home |
| Tuesday, October 15 | 6:15-7:45pm | Printing Calling Cards* | Print Shop |
| Saturday, November 9 | 9:30-11:00am | Chicken Chores* | 1900 Farm |
| Tuesday, November 12 | 6:15-7:45pm | Setting the Victorian Holiday Table* | Flynn Mansion |
| Saturday, November 16 | 9:30-11:00am | Cattle Chores | 1900 Farm |
| Tuesday, November 19 | 6:15-7:30pm | Pounded Cheese and Crackers* | Tangen Home |
| Tuesday, November 26 | 6:15-7:30pm | Molasses-Ginger Cookies and Coffee* | Tangen Home |
| Tuesday, December 10 | 6:15-7:30pm | Trifles and Cocoa | Tangen Home |
| Tuesday, December 10 | 6:15-7:45pm | Victorian Pampering Products* | Drug Store |
| Tuesday, December 17 | 6:15-7:45pm | Norwegian Pastry and Glogg | Tangen Home |
* Indicates a “Teen Friendly” Class
Jump to the Signature Sampler Class Descriptions
These classes are more in-depth experiences than our Signature Sample classes and are available for adults ages 18 and up.
Date |
Time |
Subject |
Location |
| Saturday, October 12 | 3:00-5:30pm | Tastes of the Ioway | Conference Center |
| Sunday, October 13 | 8:30-11:30am | Basics of Woodstove Cooking | Tangen Home |
| Saturday, November 2 | 9:00am-Noon | Blacksmithing Basics | Blacksmith |
| Saturday, November 2 | 1:00-4:00pm | Hand-set Printing | Print Shop |
| Saturday, November 9 | 9:00am-noon | 19th Century Bread Baking | Tangen Home |
| Saturday, November 9 | 9:00am-noon | Blacksmithing Basics | Blacksmith |
| Saturday, November 9 | 1:30-4:30pm | Blacksmithing: Camp Tripod | Blacksmith |
| Saturday, November 16 | 9:00am-noon | Classic Comfort Food | Tangen Home |
| Saturday, November 16 | 9:00am-noon | Blacksmithing: Females at the Forge | Blacksmith |
| Saturday, November 16 | 1:00-4:30pm | Blacksmithing: Items for the Home | Blacksmith |
Jump to the Adult Class Descriptions
These classes are for pairs of adults and children (age 7-12) or pairs of adults and teens (age 12-16).
Date |
Time |
Subject |
Location |
| Saturday, November 2 | 1:30-4:30pm | Blacksmithing with Teens | Blacksmith |
| Saturday, November 9 | 1:00-4:00pm | Holiday Card Printing with Teens | Print Shop |
| Saturday, November 16 | 1:30-3:30pm | Preparing a Victorian Tea with Teens | Flynn Mansion |
| Saturday, December 28 | 9:00-11:30am | Cookie Baking in a Woodstove with Kids | Tangen Home |
Jump to the Family Class Descriptions
Oven Baked Corn Bread & Honey Butter*Discover why corn bread is always better baked in a wood-burning stove! Mix this pioneer staple and churn your own butter while it bakes.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Oven Baked Corn Bread & Honey Butter
Apple Doughnuts and CiderVictorians loved doughnuts and apple-cider doughnuts are one of our favorites. Mix and fry a doughnut to munch on with hot spiced cider.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Apple Doughnuts and Cider
Printing Calling Cards*Before texting and voicemail messages, every gentleman and lady carried a calling card to offer their new acquaintances. Hand-set the type for your name and print a set of cards of your own. A great introduction to moveable type printing.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Printing Calling Cards
Meet the resident poultry at the 1900 Farm and help with morning chores, such as feeding and watering the chickens, changing out nesting box bedding, and hunting for eggs. And maybe even learn some bird anatomy along the way. Dress for the weather and a farm environment.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Setting the Victorian Holiday Table*The holidays bring out our best china and flatware. Are you confident about where to put your soup spoon on the table? Set the Flynn Mansion dining table for an elegant 19th century party and discover the multitude of knives and forks involved. Finish the table by learning a fancy napkin fold.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Setting the Victorian Holiday Table
Cattle ChoresGet up close to the cattle spending the winter at the 1900 Farm. Help with morning chores, including feeding and grooming. Dress for the weather and a farm environment.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Pounded Cheese and Crackers*Cheddar cheese doesn’t need to be whizzed in a food processor to be spreadable. Pound cheese in a mortar and pestle for this 19th century appetizer and bake a simple soda cracker to spread it on!
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Pounded Cheese and Crackers
Enjoy baking sweet treats? Try your hand at woodstove cookies! No chocolate chips in this recipe though. In the 1800s, molasses and ginger spice were more popular than cocoa and vanilla.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Molasses Ginger Cookies and Coffee
Trifles and CocoaConstruct an individual Victorian Trifle from cake, flavored syrup, and decadent whipped cream. Grate and melt chocolate on the woodstove for some “from-scratch” hot chocolate.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Trifles and Cocoa
Victorian Pampering Products*Explore the Schafer Drug Store and the beauty products offered to Victorian Iowans. Mix a cologne or perfume and stir up some bath salts to indulge in at home.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Victorian Pampering Products
Norwegian Pastry and GloggMix and bake our favorite Norwegian holiday cookies in the wood-burning stove and discover the traditional Scandinavian spice blend for holiday Glogg.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Norwegian Pastry and Glogg
Tastes of the IowayEarly native Iowans made use of Iowa’s natural food resources, as well as beginning Iowa’s agricultural traditions. Living History Farms staff will introduce the Ioway culture ca. 1700 with a visit to the 1700 Ioway Farm historic site and talk about the resources available to them both before and after European contact. Return to the Conference Center and discover the tastes of the early Native American Ioway nation. What does it mean to eat the three sisters? How is bison different from beef? What did Native Americans have for dessert? Participants will help to prepare traditional recipes and then sit down to taste several different dishes. All costs of food included in the costs of the class. Bring an apron, water bottle, and containers to take home any leftovers.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Tastes of the Ioway
Basics of Woodstove CookingDo you have a wood-burning stove at home that you’d like to cook on, but have no prior knowledge of how to do it? Want to try cooking like your great grandparents? Roll up your sleeve and make hearty meat stew, a vegetable side dish, bread, and a cake. Learn the design of the woodstove and how to properly use it. After the meal is prepared, sit down to enjoy the food and ask questions. You will get recipes to take home and try. All costs of food included in the costs of the class. Bring an apron, water bottle, and containers to take home any leftovers.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Basics of Woodstove Cooking
Blacksmithing BasicsThe class is designed to give someone with little or no metal working skills a hands-on, fun “be a blacksmith for a day” experience. Explore the basics of forge work in a blacksmith shop while making decorative iron project to take home. Topics will include safety, tools, and equipment and beginning techniques for shaping metal. Small class size guarantees lots of one-on-one instruction and lots of time at the forge! Dress for working in a shop with a dirt floor and for the weather. Shop is heated by a wood burning stove only. Bring heavy work gloves, eye protection, and a water bottle.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Blacksmithing Basics – November 2
Register for Blacksmithing Basics – November 9
Hand-Set PrintingDiscover the design and feel of letterpress printing in the 1875 Advocate Print Shop at Living History Farms! Experience hand-set type setting and learn the lay of the printer’s case. Students will create a 19th century style handbill incorporating a Victorian illustration engraving. Projects will be printed on hand-powered proof and job presses. All materials are included in the cost of the class. Dress for an inky, artistic environment and prepare to get your hands dirty.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Hand-Set Printing
19th Century Bread BakingDo you need a refresher course on making bread from scratch? Would you like to try baking in a wood-burning stove? Try your hand at biscuits, yeast bread, and cinnamon rolls in an 1875 era farm kitchen while learning the history of bread making. Afterwards, sit around the table to enjoy your creations, while learning more about the house and the type of family that would have lived there. You will get recipes to take home and try. All costs of food included in the costs of the class. Bring an apron, water bottle, and containers to take home any leftovers.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for 19th Century Bread Baking
Blacksmithing: Make a Camp TripodStudents will get a good work out as they learn about historic blacksmithing techniques and forge a large camp tripod that doubles as a rotisserie or decorative plant hanger for the yard (retail value over $50!). The finished project will stand between 5-6 feet tall, and is based on a Civil War era design, great for those who camp or do reenacting. Students will learn blacksmithing skills such as drawing out metal, making eye bolts, and advanced forging techniques. Small class size guarantees lots of one-on-one instruction and lots of time at the forge! Dress for working in a shop with a dirt floor and for the weather. Shop is heated by a wood burning stove only. Bring heavy work gloves, eye protection, and a water bottle.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Blacksmithing: Make a Camp Tripod
Classic Comfort FoodJoin Living History Farms staff for some “stick to your ribs” comfort food and a cup of fresh coffee. Students will learn the art of making homemade noodles and other quick comfort items at the Victorian Tangen home. Student creations will be cooked on or baked in a woodstove in the 1875 era kitchen. Towards the end of class, everyone will sit down to enjoy their culinary projects. You will get recipes to take home and try. All costs of food included in the costs of the class. Bring an apron, water bottle, and containers to take home any leftovers.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Classic Comfort Food
Blacksmithing: Females at the ForgeNever been in a blacksmith shop? No problem! As you learn you will be making decorative items for use in your home. Explore the basic techniques and tools used to do blacksmithing. Topics will include safety, tools and equipment, and beginning techniques for working with metal around a forge. Small class size guarantees lots of one-on-one instruction and lots of time at the forge! Dress for working in a shop with a dirt floor and for the weather. Shop is heated by a wood burning stove only. Bring heavy work gloves, eye protection, and a water bottle.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Blacksmithing: Females at the Forge
Blacksmithing: Items for the HomeStudents will have the opportunity to make at least 2 of the following decorative projects for the home: candleholders, napkin rings, hooks, decorative metal paper towel holder, or a letter opener. Small class size guarantees lots of one-on-one instruction and lots of time at the forge! Dress for working in a shop with a dirt floor and for the weather. Shop is heated by a wood burning stove only. Bring heavy work gloves, eye protection, and a water bottle.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Blacksmithing: Items for the Home
Basic Blacksmithing with TeensThis class will allow a parent/guardian and teen to work together as they learn historic blacksmithing techniques in our 1875 era blacksmith shop. Everyone will get to make several small, hands-on projects, such as small dinner triangles and hooks. Begin by learning about proper safety in a workshop environment. Dress for working in a shop with a dirt floor and for the weather (shop is heated by wood-burning stove only). Bring work gloves, eye protection, and a water bottle.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Basic Blacksmithing with Teens
Get up close and hands-on with the big printing machinery in the 1875 Advocate Print Shop at Living History Farms! Choose from several historic designs and then print a set of holiday cards. Hand-set your own personal greeting for inside. Projects will be created using historic moveable type and printed on 19th century hand-powered proof and jobbing presses. Dress for an inky, artistic environment and prepare to get your hands dirty.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Holiday Card Printing with Teens
Preparing a Victorian Tea with TeensVisit the Flynn Mansion and explore how to create an elegant Victorian style tea time. Begin in the kitchen to craft tea sandwiches such as cucumber or turkey-cranberry relish sandwiches. Whip cream by hand for a dish of berries. Assemble a berry shortcake. Move into the dining room and discover how to set up a relaxed tea table with Victorian touches. Learn how to “pour out” for your friends and other tea etiquette rules. End the day by brewing a fresh pot of tea and sitting down to enjoy your creations. Please bring aprons, water bottles, and containers to take home any leftovers.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.
Register for Preparing a Victorian Tea with Teens
Cookie Baking in a Woodstove with KidsWhat is better than the smell of fresh cookies from the oven? Making them with your child! In this class parents and children will work together to make a variety of cookies using recipes from the 19th century. After mixing up the cookie dough, bake them in a wood-burning oven and then sit down to enjoy your fresh-baked creations! You will get recipes to take home and try. Please bring aprons, water bottles, and containers to take home any leftovers.
Member registration for these classes opens August 15 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on August 29 at 10am.