25th Arts and Arms Making Workshop at Connor Prarie

Conner Prairie’s Hands-on classes are a rare opportunity to work closely and directly with some of the nation’s best craftsmen.  Classes run from 8 am to 5 pm.  Small class sizes in well equipped facilities will allow you to develop skills from basic to advance.
All materials included in class price.  Tools provided are provided in some of the classes.

Advanced Horn Work

Saturday, October 4 – Tuesday October 7, 8 am – 5 pm,

Wednesday October 8, 8 am – noon

Further develop your hornworking skills through the construction of two horns: an internal screw-tip Berks County and a pressed and shaped flat horn. Art DeCamp will cover a wide variety of topics, from the history and architechture of early horns to many tips and techniques for reproducing period-correct powder horns.  This class will expose students to preparing, heating, shaping and turning horns and their parts.  Instruction will also be given on period techniques for the coloring of powder horns.

Engraving

Monday, October 6 – Friday, Oct. 10 8 am – 5 pm

Master engraver John Schippers teaches the art of metal engraving. Using practice pieces, learn basic design, tool selection and sharpening techniques.

2  - Day Classes

Session 1
Monday-Tuesday, October 6 -7, 8 am – 5 pm
Wednesday, October 8, 8 am – 12 pm

Session 2
Wednesday, October 8, 1-5 p.m.
Thursday-Friday, October 9-10, 8 am – 5 pm

Axe Forging (Session 2)

Learn traditional forging techniques from blacksmith Nathan Allen. Students will examine stylistic differences and construction techniques used on historic axes and will then forge and finish an axe of their own.

Leather Work (Session 1)

Join Ken Scott as he teaches his unique style of making hunting bags and pouches. Pattern development and basic leatherworking techniques will be covered as well as Ken’s unique antiquing methods.

Knifesmithing (Session 1)

Under the tutelage of Dwight Gallian, students will learn about the history and manufacture of a traditional hand-forged knife. Class will include materials selection, forging and finishing a functional knife.

Folding Knife (Session 1)

Instructor Nathan Allen will teach 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.

Document Box (Session 2)

Traditional furniture maker Justin Kauffman will guide the process of making an early 18th century document box. This dovetailed oak box will begin with a green log. Students will learn to rive out the proper pieces, dimension the boards and do the dovetail and captured panel joinery needed to assemble.

Coopering (Session 1)

Experience the art of coopering. Learn how to properly select wood, use traditional coopers’ tools and fit together a wooden piggin with instructor Chuck Andrews.

Campaign Horn (Session 2)

Work with hornsmith Art Decamp as you build your own French and Indian War Campaign horn. Learn basic horn construction, heating and shaping horn, hand fitting a simple butt cap and crafting a stepped down neck. Surface finish and coloring and applying simple period style engraving to your horn will also be covered.

Week-end Classes

Saturday, October 4 & Sunday October 5, 8 am – 5 pm

Boot Bag

Saturday, October 4, 8 am – 5 pm

USE IT UP, WEAR IT OUT, MAKE IT DO, OR DO WITHOUT.  There are numerous examples of small frontier hunting pouches made from old boots.  During this one day class, instructed by Ken Scott, participants will learn 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.

Hearth Cooking

Sunday, October 5, 8 am - 3 pm

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.

Carving

Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5, 8 am – 5 pm

Learn basic carving techniques under the tutelage of John Schippers. Using simple carving knives, students will learn proper design and layout of long rifle relief carving. Original examples of period long rifles and pistols will be on display for students to reference in their work.

Basic Blacksmithing

Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5, 8 am – 5 pm

Join Nathan Allen as you learn the basics of blacksmithing. Students will learn skills such as using a forge, drawing, punching, hardening and tempering steel and forge welding. Projects such as s-hooks, fireplace poker, chain links and a fork will be made

Pennsylvania German Design

Sunday, October 5, 8 am – 5 pm

Create instant family heirlooms with Ken Scott while exploring the 18th century folk art of Pennsylvania. Ken will introduce traditional styles and design as students learn the art of calligraphy and drawing used in early fraktur, such as marriage and birth certificates.

More information can be found here. 

Copy and photos from Conner Prairie.