Adult Enrichment Classes

We offer a bevy of adult enrichment classes that give you an opportunity to learn new skills, gain new ideas and just have fun. See below for our 2023 classes, but make sure to check this page often as we will continue to add/update offerings.

Blacksmithing

Sunday, May 28 – Sunday, June 25 – Sunday, July 23 – Sunday, August 20 – Sunday, September 17 – Sunday, October 15

Taste of Blacksmithing

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

In “A Taste of Blacksmithing,” you will learn how to start a coal forge, heat steel to a forging temperature and the basics of hammer control. Various tools and techniques will be introduced along the way (including forge welding). The typical participant will go home with a couple hooks, nails and forge-welded chain link or two. All materials included.

Proper attire required: Safety glasses (we have some available), long pants and closed toed shoes. Please avoid synthetic fibers.

Click on a date below to register for a class at your preferred time:

– Sunday, May 28

Sunday, June 25

Sunday, July 23

Sunday, August 20

Sunday, September 17

Sunday, October 15

 

Open Forge

12:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Looking for a forge where you can practice your blacksmithing? You’ve come to the right place. Join us for our “Open Forge” to work on any of your own projects! If you need it, help will be available from our experienced blacksmiths. Our afternoon “Open Forge” is a place to practice your smith skills. The format of this session is not instructional. Those looking for a blacksmithing class should see the above event listing for “A Taste of Blacksmithing.” We hope to see you in the forge!

“Open Forge” Prerequisite: Past attendance at one of our “A Taste of Blacksmithing” sessions.

Click on a date below to register for a class at your preferred time:

– Sunday, May 28

Sunday, June 25

Sunday, July 23

Sunday, August 20

Sunday, September 17

Sunday, October 15

 

Class Costs

Taste of Blacksmithing (Non-Museum Members): $70 per class

Taste of Blacksmithing (Museum Members): $64 per class

Open Forge (Non-Museum Members):

$20 per person

Open Forge (Museum Members):

$15 per person

Paint N’ Sips

Sunday, July 16 & Saturday, August 5

Natalie Guillette, owner of Creative Buzz Paint Events, is back for her popular Paint N’ Sip series at the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village! Refreshments from Eden Specialty Ciders and Jasper Hill Cheese will be available during each class in the series. Fun trivia based on the museum will be thrown in, so it’s a good time to brush up on history!  

Garden Paint N’ Sip

Sunday, July 16 @ 3 PM to 5 PM

This will be held near our historic gardens lovingly tended to by museum volunteers as well as members of our local Four Seasons Garden Club. The museum gardens are the perfect locale for painting. Natalie Guillette, owner of Creative Buzz Paint Events, will lead the group in creating special garden themed art on pieces of historic slate. Refreshments will be from Eden Specialty Cider and Jasper Hill Cheese. Limited seating for this event, REGISTER TODAY!

Click here to register

 

Barn Paint N’ Sip

Saturday, August 5 @ 6 PM to 8 PM

The August 5th Paint N’ Sip will be held inside of the historic Lawrence Barn. The evening’s painting will be directed by the talented Natalie Guillette, owner of Creative Buzz Paint Events, and the painting will be on a unique piece of barn board. Each participant will enjoy refreshments from Eden Specialty Ciders and Jasper Hill Cheese while creating a special piece of art to take home. Register today as seating is limited.

Click here to register

 

Class Costs

Museum Members: $45 per class

Non-Museum Members: $50 per class

Brownington Beekeepers

Our learning apiary got off the ground with funding from New England Grassroots Environmental Fund and the Vermont Community Foundation. It features four beehives located behind the Alexander Twilight House that are maintained by the Brownington Beekeepers. The Beekeepers are active all year, maintaining our hives and educating beekeepers throughout our region with monthly meetings. Join their email list to learn more and take part.

Rug Braiding

Saturday, July 29, Saturday, August 5 & Sunday, August 6 from 10 AM to 2 PM 

Register now as the class is limited to 8 students!

Welcome to the art of rug braiding! In this 12-hour workshop, students will learn to create a small oval braided rug. We will use recycled and new wool fabric to create a 2’ x 3’ oval rug in warm colors of your choice. Over 2 weekends, with 3 class sessions, you will learn a new skill while creating a colorful braided rug to brighten a special spot in your home. All learning levels welcome. This workshop is appropriate for teens and adult learners.

Your wool rug will become a family heirloom. In class, we will look at a variety of other items that are created with braiding techniques. The skill of braiding presents opportunities to recycle worn-out textiles that you may already own. In class, we will look at a variety of other items that are created with braiding techniques.  You’ll be truly inspired by the many ways braiding skills can help use/reduce what we toss into landfills.

Students MUST attend the first class to start your rug. If you cannot make all 3 sessions, accommodations can be made to help you complete your rug.

Class Costs

Museum Members: $75 per class

Non-Museum Members: $80 per class

Essential tools: Beginner students need a bag of essential tools. This bag includes a clamp, lacer, cotton splicing thread, pins, needles, butting pins, notebook, pen, a hard copy of written step-by-step instructions for what we cover in class. This bag costs $17, and is purchased at the first class from the instructor. Payable by cash or check.

Wool: You are welcome to bring any wool fabric that you already have. You are also welcome to bring any wool garments or blankets that you might wish to deconstruct. Please wash & dry these before you come to class. Some recycled, washed wool is available for students free of charge, mostly in darker colors A variety of new wool will be available, for sale at $8.00 per half-yard (payable to instructor, cash or check).

For all the details on the instructor, Mary Ragno, and what to expect in each class,
please click on the button below! 

Click here for the full class description

Basket Weaving

July 1st from 10AM to 3PM, August 5th from 10AM to 3PM, and September 16th from 10AM to 3PM

Ever wanted to learn how to weave your own baskets? This summer you will be able to learn at the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village.  Tracie Quirion from QT’s Baskets will be leading three different basket weaving sessions this summer. 

The first class will be held on July 1st from 10AM to 3PM. Participants in this class will be making a beautiful Apple Basket.  The second class will be held on August 5th from 10AM to 3PM.  Participants in the August class will be making a Harvest Basket. During the final class, on September 16th from 10AM to 3PM, participants will be making a gorgeous Minot Basket.  Sign up for one class or all three.  We hope to see you there!

Class Costs

Museum Members – $60

Non-Museum Members – $65

To register for a basket weaving class, please click on the date of the desired class.  A new window will open with ticket purchase options.

Saturday, July 1 – Apple Basket

Saturday, August 5 – Harvest Basket

Saturday, September 16 – Minot Basket

About Our Adult Enrichment Classes

Here at the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village, we work hard to offer expertly-led hands-on educational experiences to our community. Whether you take part in a blacksmithing or rug braiding course or participate in timber framing or apple grafting workshops, you are a member of a special community.

Please join us in learning about history in a unique way while also gaining real heritage skills. Then consider making a donation to support our adult enrichment workshops. Your support is both needed and profoundly appreciated and we thank you in advance.