Arts and Arms Making Workshop at Connor Prarie

Conner Prairie’s hands-on classes provide a rare opportunity to work closely with some of the nation’s best craftsmen. Small class sizes in well-equipped facilities allow you to develop skills from a basic level to advanced. Register today as classes fill quickly. All materials are included in class price. Tools provided, unless otherwise noted.

Boot Bag 

Well-known pouch maker, Ken Scott, will teach you how to make a hunting pouch from a pair of old boots. Instruction includes historical research, pattern development, applying the pattern to the leather, assembly and dying.
$125/$115 members (tools and materials required)
Saturday, October 3  •  8 am–5 pm

Carving

Explore basic carving techniques under the tutelage of John Schippers. Using simple carving knives, you’ll learn proper design and layout of long rifle relief carving. Original examples of period long rifles and pistols will be on display for you to reference.
$245/$235 member (tools required)
Saturday-Sunday, October 3-4  •  8 am–5 pm

Coopering

Experience the art of coopering. Learn how to properly select wood, use traditional cooper’s tools and fit together a wooden piggin or bucket with instructor Chuck Andrews.
$235/$225 member
Saturday-Sunday, October 3-4  •  8 am–5 pm

Basic Blacksmithing 

Join Nathan Allen as you learn the basics of blacksmithing like using a forge, drawing, punching, hardening and tempering steel, and forge welding. Items such as chain links, s-hooks, a fireplace poker and a fork will be made.
$260/$250 member
Saturday-Sunday, October 3-4  •  8 am–5 pm

Advanced Hornworking

Alongside master hornsmith Art DeCamp, learn basic construction and techniques needed to make a traditional screw-tip York County style horn as well as a turned tip horn. Explore the history and architecture of early horns, and discover tips and techniques for coloring and reproducing period-correct powder horns. You’ll also prepare, heat, shape and lathe turn horns and their parts.
$580/$560 member (tools required)
Saturday-Tuesday, October 3-6  •  8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 7  •  8 am-noon

Hearth Cooking 

Learn to prepare a traditional meal over an open fire. Enjoy the smell of wood smoke as hearth cooking expert Sarah Withrow shares her knowledge. Learn to blend traditional techniques with historic and contemporary recipes that are perfect for home  entertaining, re-enacting or camping.
$85/$75 members
Sunday, October 4  •  8 am-3 pm

Southern Backcountry Design

Delve into the art and culture of 18th- and early 19th-century Virginia and the Carolinas with folk artist Ken Scott.  Examine design elements used on furniture, grave stones, ironwork, horns and firearms. You’ll learn the basic techniques for creating a Virginia fraktur or manuscript in the southern style.
$125/$115 member (tools and materials required)
Sunday, October 4  •  8 am–5 pm

Folding Knife 

Instructor Nathan Allen will teach you how to build an 18th-century style folding knife. Traditional filing, bench work and heat treating skills will be used to construct an attractive steel and brass folding knife.
$285/$270 member (tools required)
Monday-Tuesday, October 5-6  •  8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 7  •  8 am-noon

Leatherworking

Join Ken Scott as he teaches students how to make hunting bags and pouches. Pattern development and basic leatherworking techniques will be covered as well as Ken’s unique antiquing methods.
$315/$300 member (tools required)
Monday-Tuesday, October 5-6  •  8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 7  •  8 am-noon

Knifesmithing

Under the guidance of Dwight Gallian, you’ll learn about the history and manufacture of a traditional hand-forged knife. Class will include materials selection, forging and finishing a functional knife.
$280/$265 member (tools required)
Monday-Tuesday, October 5-6  •  8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 7  •  8 am-noon

Traditional Wooden Planemaking

Enhance your woodworking skills and increase your gunsmithing tools at the same time as master planemaker Tod Hirley introduces you to the fine art of tools. Learn the basics of planemaking from stock selection and design to use of specialty tools and jigs. Construct two side-escapement type gunstocking planes suitable for use in inletting a barrel channel or roughing out a ramrod groove.
$290/$285 members (tools required)
Monday-Tuesday, October 5-6  •  8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 7  •  8 am-noon

Engraving

Master engraver John Schippers teaches the art of metal engraving. Using practice pieces, you’ll learn basic design, tool selection and techniques.
$525/$505 member (tools required)
Monday-Friday, October 5-9  •  8 am-5 pm

Axe Forging. 

Learn traditional forging techniques from blacksmith Nathan Allen. Examine stylistic differences and construction techniques used on historic axes, and then forge and finish an axe of your own.
$295/$280 member (tools required)
Wednesday, October 7  •  1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 8-9  •  8 am-5 pm

Campaign Horn

Work with hornsmith Art DeCamp and build your own French and Indian War Campaign horn. Learn basic horn construction, heating and shaping, hand fitting a simple butt cap and crafting a stepped down neck. Instruction will also be given on period-appropriate surface finishing, decorating, engraving, scrimshaw and coloring.
$285/$270 member (tools required)
Wednesday, October 7  •  1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 8-9  •  8 am-5 pm

Inkle Weaving 

Master weaver Sue Payne will lead the class in weaving straps and sashes using inkle looms. You’ll learn about material selection, loom design, warping the loom and weaving to create beautiful works of art. This class is suitable for beginners and those wanting to develop more
advanced skills.  $170/$155 member
Wednesday, October 7  •  1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 8-9  •  8 am-5 pm

REGISTER ONLINE at connerprairie.org
Copy and photos supplied by Conner Prairie.