National Historic Landmark Site Provides A “Living Laboratory” For Contemporary Preservation Practices
For the third summer, Boston’s acclaimed North Bennet Street School (www.nbss.edu) is collaborating with the Shaker Museum and Library (www.shakermuseumandlibrary.org) to offer a range of workshops in preservation and traditional woodworking at the museum’s North Family at Mount Lebanon Shaker Village site.
“Our goals are to improve the level of historic preservation trades training in the area, to honor the Shaker North Family story by preserving the buildings of that era, and to help the local community connect to our new location,” said David Stocks, President of Shaker Museum and Library.
The 2011 workshops are for anyone interested in acquiring a foundation of time honored hand skills that they can immediately put to use including individuals who wish to advance their careers in historic preservation, people interested in fine woodworking as hobby or second career and owners of historic homes and barns.
The workshops are:
A Walking Exploration – Saturday, July 9, 10 am – 3:30 pm; instructors: Jerry Grant and Peter Smith
Enjoy a walking tour led by the Museum’s curator and a preservation carpenter to explore the Shaker buildings at Mt. Lebanon. The tour starts at the Great Stone Barn and includes a bag lunch.
Historic Window Sash Repair – Monday – Friday, July 11-15, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; instructor: Jackie Blombach
Learn wooden window sash restoration in this hands-on class.
Garden Tool Tote – Saturday – Sunday, July 16 – 17, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; instructor: Peter Smith
Begin with a rough-sawn board and create a garden tote using only hand tools. The workshop is designed for ages 15 and up.
Historic Timber Framing – Monday – Thursday, July 18 – 21, 8 am – 6 pm; instructor: Rich Friberg
This course offers students the opportunity to construct a timber-frame structure incorporating traditional mortise and tenon and other joints.
Tuning and use of metal planes – Monday, July 25, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; instructor: Rich Friberg
A one day workshop covering techniques such as flattening the sole, adjusting the throat opening and sharpening the iron. Learn to make perfect shavings.
Tuning and use of wooden planes – Tuesday, July 26, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; instructor: Rich Friberg
Techniques specific to wooden planes are learned and practiced. Students bring their tools to use in this one day workshop.
Historic Moldings – Wednesday – Thursday, July 27 – 28, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; instructor: Rich Friberg
This two day workshop covers the history of moldings and the use of complex molding and sash planes.
To register or for more information visit http://www.nbss.org/workshops/schedule.asp. Or contact Megan Kenealy at the North Bennet Street School, 617-227-0155, mkenealy@nbss.edu, or Becky Codner at the Shaker Museum and Library, 518-794-9100 x 220, codner@shakermuseumandlibrary.org.