CURRENT HOURS: OPEN DAILY; MON-SAT 9AM-4PM, SUN 12PM-4PM
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 breadbaking to blacksmithing. And with a small class size, you are guaranteed lots of individualized instruction and plenty of opportunity to participate.
Registration Information
These classes are for adults ages 18 and up.
Date
|
Time |
Subject |
Location |
| Saturday, Apr. 14 | 9:00am-noon | All About Meats | 1900 Farm |
| Saturday, Apr. 14 | 9:00am-1:00pm | Pioneer Hearth Cooking – SOLD OUT | 185o Pioneer Farm |
| Saturday, Apr. 21 | 9:00-11:00am | Bacon and Eggs | 1900 Farm |
| Saturday, Apr. 21 | 9:00am-noon | Basics of Driving Draft Horses & Mules | 1900 Farm |
| Saturday, Apr. 21 | 1:30-4:30pm | Intermediate Draft Horse Driving | 1900 Farm |
Jump to the Adult Class Descriptions
These classes are for pairs of adults and children (age 7-11) or pairs of adults and teens (age 12-17).
Date |
Time |
Subject |
Location |
| Saturday, Mar. 17 | 9:00am-noon | Woodstove Cooking with Kids | Tangen Home |
Jump to the Family Class Descriptions
Blacksmithing Basics – SOLD OUTThe class is designed to give someone with little or no metal working skills as a hands-on, fun “be a blacksmith for a day” experience. Explore the basics of forge work in a blacksmith shop while making a 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 eye protection and a water bottle. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for these classes opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Blacksmithing Basics on March 10 and April 7 – Sorry, these classes are sold out. To be placed on a waitlist, please call 515-278-5286 ext. 110.
Blacksmithing: Make a Camp Tripod – SOLD OUTStudents will get a good work out as they learn about historic blacksmithing techniques. Participants will forge a large camp tripod that doubles as a rotisserie or decorative plant hanger in the front yard (retail value over $50.00)! The finished project will stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, and is based on a Civil War era design, great for those who camp or do reenacting. Students will learn these blacksmithing skills: 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 eye protection and a water bottle. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Sorry, this class is sold out. To be placed on a waitlist, please call 515-278-5286 ext. 110.
Basic BroommakingYou are going to get swept up in this class! Use 19th century broommaking equipment to craft a variety of attractive and useful corn brooms. Make a cake tester that can be used to test those baking projects or decorated as a centerpiece. Make a hearth broom for the fireplace or as a gift. Then bind and sew a children’s sweeping broom—just in time for those spring cleaning projects. (Retail value of brooms more than $30.00). Dress for a work environment. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
All About MeatsBack by popular demand! All about meats – from farm to fork. This class will cover all of your common meat-related questions. Where is the loin on a cow? How do you stuff a sausage? What is the proper way to dress and carve poultry? Historically, what methods were available for preserving meat? Answer all of these questions, and more, through hands-on experiences and activities at the 1900 Farm. Participants will make sausages to take home, so bring a container. Dress for being on a farm, as part of this class takes place outside. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Pioneer Hearth Cooking – SOLD OUTEver wonder how new settlers in Iowa cooked without a wood-burning stove? Learn the basics of hearth cooking, while exploring how new settlers in Iowa produced, prepared, and preserved food. Participants will use 1850s era recipes to make their lunch. While your meal is cooking, tour the 1850 Pioneer Farm. After eating your meal and cleaning up, go home with copies of recipes, and information on how to care for their cast iron cooking utensils. Dress for being on a farm, and for cooking! Part of the class will be outside while you tour the farm. Bring an apron and a water bottle. Note: You will be eating your meal around 12:30pm, so plan accordingly. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Sorry, this class is sold out. To be placed on a waitlist, please call 515-278-5286 ext. 110.
Bacon and EggsExplore this breakfast combination at the source! Meet the chickens and pigs at the 1900 Farm with a frank discussion of how each provide the farmer with eggs and meat. Head back into the kitchen to prepare 19th century egg dishes, taste local artisanal bacons and have some morning coffee. Bring an apron and a water bottle. Note: You will be eating your meal around 10:30am, so plan accordingly. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Basics of Driving Draft Horses and MulesLearn the basic commands for driving a team of draft horses or mules. Go through the process of harnessing and grooming a horse or mule. Practice the basic commands by doing some ground driving, and then by driving a wagon. Bring gloves and a water bottle. Small class size guarantees lots of 1-1 instruction, and driving time! Dress for the weather and for being on a farm around animals! Class will be held rain or shine. Participants will also receive handouts about the basic care of horses and basic driving techniques.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Register for Basics of Driving Draft Horses and Mules
Intermediate Draft Horse DrivingTake the next step in your draft horse experience as you go beyond the basics! This class is ideal for the person who already has some horse experience. Learn how to drive various horse-drawn farm implements, which may include (field conditions and weather permitting) a plow, a cultivator, a surrey, and manure spreader. Small class size guarantees lots of 1-1 instruction! Bring gloves and a water bottle, and remember to dress for the weather and for being on a farm around animals. Class will be held rain or shine.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.
Register for Intermediate Draft Horse Driving
Woodstove Cooking with KidsExplore the 1875 kitchen with your child, while instilling a love of cooking in your kids! Learn how to read a recipe, measure and mix ingredients, and roll out dough the old-fashioned way. This basic woodstove cooking class is designed to get kids and parents or grandparents busy in the kitchen together. Prepare a kid friendly chicken dish, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, and a sweet treat for dessert – all from scratch. Then sit down and enjoy your creations. Bring containers to take home any leftovers, aprons, and a water bottle. And, yes, you will get recipes to take home and try. Note: You will be eating around 11:30am, so plan accordingly. All costs of materials are included in the cost of the class.
Member registration for this class opens December 14 at 10am. Registration opens for the general public on December 21 at 10am.