June 10 - 14th, 2025

Historic Timberframing

In this course students will construct a timber frame structure using traditional mortise and tenon joints, learning the layout and construction of historic New England timber framed structures, including barns and dwellings. Construction methods cover the use of traditional tools including framing chisels, hand saws, and marking gauges.

North Bennet Street School, Topsfield Ma | Register Here

August 4 - 8, 2025

Timberframing & Traditional Building

In this week-long intensive course, students will work independently and in collaboration to explore construction methods of pre-20th-century New England dwellings. Through hands-on, on-site fieldwork and live demonstrations, students will work together to raise a timber frame while learning traditional building methods such as mortise and tenon construction, historic sheathing, cladding, lime plaster application, and masonry. Besides learning important hand-building skills, students will also learn about architectural history and ideas. This knowledge will help them understand how to carefully preserve old buildings and their stories.

North Bennet Street School, Teen Craft & Trade Intensive, Boston Ma | Apply Here

August 18 - 22, 2025

Timberframing 101

In this course, students will reconstruct the historic Holten House Privy (ca 1700) using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Students will work from a full-size drawing on the floor in order to capture the key measurements needed to build the frame. Construction methods cover the use of traditional hand tools such as: chisels, mallets, T-handle Augers, hand- cranked boring machines, in addition to the sharpening techniques for these tools. The evolution of tooling will be discussed, and modern methodologies (such as chainsaw mortisers) will be demonstrated and utilized. Students will also have the opportunity to learn peg making with shaving horses and drawknives.

Topsfield Historical Society, Topsfield, Ma | Register Here

September 9 - 14, 2025

Timberframing an Artist Studio

In this course students will construct an artist studio timber frame structure using traditional mortise and tenon joints, learning the layout and construction of historic New England timber framed structures, including barns and dwellings. Construction methods cover the use of traditional tools including framing chisels, hand saws, and marking gauges.

The Hartley Residence, Aspers PA | Registration Forthcoming