Early American Skills Weekend Programs
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
The early American Skills experience is an opportunity for individual adults and Youth over age 14 to try first hand, some skills used by craftsmen and artisans in Early America.
We offer blacksmithing, woodworking, fiber arts/ everyday life skills, beadwork, cooking and baking during every class period.
The dates are the third weekend of the month May through October. There are two class periods on Saturday and one on Sunday.
The classes are for age 14 and up. All classes are taught at an adult level. Due to safety concerns we can not accept younger people in the classes.
It is not a group program. Class sizes are very small. You can check the space availability in any of the sessions by going to the registration page. On this page you should find the session that you are interested in and then click the link that says "details" on that line. It will show you the availability for the classes during that session.
View Space Availability and Register
Family of participants and other people visiting the park are free to watch, but they must remain outside the roped areas, for safety reasons.
Where is Kensington Living History Village?
The Kensington Living History Village is located in the Farm Center area, inside Kensington Metropark.
You will need a Metropark pass to enter the park.
You must park in the Farm Center parking lot, and walk down to the village, which is down by the river.
The street address is 4570 Huron River Pkwy, Milford, MI 48380, but that only gets you inside the park. You will need to follow the signs to the Farm Center.
What are the times?
The classes are 4 hours long, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Sunday
You stay in one area the whole 4 hours, focusing on that set of skills.
The schedule of classes at the Kensington Living History Village is posted on this page:
During the winter months the Living HistoryVillage is not in operation. When the schedule for the year is posted and registration opens, we will announce it on our facebook page.
What are the costs?
Fees are:
$55 per four hour session for adults aged 21 to 60,
$40 for Seniors over 60,
$30 for youth aged 14 to 21.
Additional Materials Fees may apply
You also need to have a Metroparks vehicle pass to enter Kensington Metropark. You can purchase an annual or daily pass at the gate. The annual pass is the better deal.
Should we bring anything?
You do not need to bring anything, but you must wear appropriate clothing for the class. For blacksmithing you can not wear shorts or synthetic clothing due to the heat and sparks. Cotton or wool is best. No sandals or open toed shoes due to the location and presence of fire, hot coals and or sharp objects
Are adults allowed or is it more for children?
Our classes are not for children. We do allow young people age 14, but some 14 year olds struggle with the pace and strength levels required. We teach at an adult level. Most adults do well.
Is it indoor or outdoor or both?
Outdoor in open air shelters. There is a picture of the smithy on our web site. All of the other shoppes are built on the same model.
How do I pre-register if necessary?
Links to register are on the schedule page on our web site. It is best to pre-register so you are guaranteed a space. Class sizes are small (4 to 6).
On-Line Registration for cooking classes cuts off on Tuesday before the session.
On-Line Registration for all other classes cuts off on Thursday before the session.
Here is a link to the information page for the program:
Early American Skills Experience Information
And finally this page will show you space availability and allow you to register for the classes.
View Space Availability and Register
On this page you should first click the link that says "details" It will show you the availability for the session that you are interested in.
Do you have programs for younger ages, under 14?
We hope this answers your questions.
Below you will find some additional infomration on each of the class areas
- Blacksmithing is truly a fine art form, which has been in use since the most ancient times. It is as old as history, and as modern as today. Students taking this fascinating hands on class will touch on the history and lore of blacksmithing before taking up the "tools of the trade".
- Safetly rules will be incorporated into the training as students learn to make a variety of useful, yet beautiful implements.
- Each student will go home with several finished items, which could include a twisted J hook, S-Hooks, Spice or Drive hooks, Campfire equipment such as a Blow Tube, Campfire Irons, a Chisel, Turnscrew (Screwdriver) and other items.
- You will be surprised to learn how many commonly used words and phrases of today have their roots in the ancient skills of blacksmithing.
- Beginner to intermediate level project - 6 board chest. The 6 board chest is a simple design that uses no hinges or latches. The skills introduced in this project are Measuring and Marking using a square, Crosscut and Rip Cut to the line, Boring a hole with a brace and bit. Assembly using glue and nails.
- Beginner to intermediate level project - Bow Saw. This project will provide the student with a useful tool when completed. The skills introduced in this project are Measuring and Marking using a precut pattern, Coping saw use to cut a curved shape. Boring a hole with a brace and bit. Assembly using a saddle joint. Students will also go to the life skills area and use an antique hand cranked Singer Sewing Machine to make a canvas pouch for their saw.
- Beginner to intermediate project - Foot Stool (Spring 2015) Students will use a hand operated lathe to make a colonial style, rustic foot stool. The skills introduced in this project are Boring angled holes using a jig, turning legs on a lathe. Wedged tenon joinery.
- Intermediate to Advanced level project - Pouting Chair. Students will use hand tools to make a Pine wood chair assembled with hand cut dado joints. The skills introduced in this project are Rabet and dado joints, Use of Back Saw, Chisel and Mallet, Plough Plane. Assembled using wood peg joinery.
- Dovetail Joinery. - Advanced level project - Students will use hand tools to make a hardwood dovetail marking gage which is itself made with hand cut dovetail joints. The skills introduced in this project are Measuring and marking dovetails using a dovetail gage, Use of dovetail saws, Chisel and Mallet. Additional time may be required. Students may choose to complete the project at home.
- Advanced level project - Roubo Bookstand. Students in this class will make a classic piece of 18th century joinery. This hinged, folding, bookstand design is cut from a single billet of wood. The design was described by Andres Jacob Roubo in his 1776 treatise on the Art of the Joiner. The skills reinforced in this project are Patience, Layout, Measuring and marking, cutting a slot in the middle of a board, boring holes using pump drill and archimedes drill, using and sharpening a chisel. Students will use a rip saw, back saw, pad saw, chisel and mallet, dividers. Students must have already demonstrated the required skills, which are taught in the previous level classes.
- Advanced level project (two class sessions are required for this project)- Schnitzelbank, sometimes called a Shaving Bench or shaving horse (Additional material fee applies) Students will use a traditional "Schnitzelbank", to make their own copy to take home. The skills introduced in this project are Boring angled holes using a jig, using a drawknife and rasp to shape tenons, wedged tenon joinery, using a large chisel and mallet to open up mortises.
This project requires significant strength and effort. It is not for beginners.
- Option 1 - Basic Life Skills - Sew a Canvas Possibles Bag on an antique hand cranked Singer sewing machine., Splicing rope, Flint and Steel Fire Making, Tomahawk Throwing (weather permitting and just for fun), Fur trade history discussion.
- Option 2 - Wool washing and Drop Spindle spinning - In this multifaceted class, students will receive background information on a variety of sheep breeds bred in Michigan. They will come to understand how and why different breeds developed, and the differences between the type and quality of wool produced by the breeds.
Weather permitting, a fleece will be washed over an open fire and laid out to dry in the open sun.
Then using a previously washed wool. students will learn to hand card and spin the wool using a drop spindle.
Students will receive a drop spindle and several ounces of wool to take home with them. - Option 3 - Weaving - In this class students will learn the basics of weaving on several different types of looms and other devices. Students will weave on an Inkle loom. Students will also have the opportunity to try their hand at weaving on a colonial Tape loom. a Japanese Kumihomo Braiding card and several other weaving techniques.
- Option 4 - Beadwork - Make a beaded design. In this class students will learn a technique to make a beaded design on cloth. The technique taught is the same process that has been used by Native Americans of the Woodland Cultures.
- Rug Loom Weaving (2015). Students will weave a small throw rug on a floor model rug loom. (limited availability, one student per class period)
- Wood Fired Oven Baking - Learn how to use a wood fired clay or brick oven. See how the oven is constructed and learn some traditional Early American recipes.
- Open Hearth Cooking - Learn how to cook delicious meals on an open fire,
- Dutch Oven Cooking - Learn how to bake and cook in a cast iron dutch oven
- Stew Stove Cooking - A device brought to America from France. Thomas Jefferson had one installed in his home and enjoyed the fine stews and sauces that are a hallmark of French cuisine.
Some additional materials charges may apply for larger projects.
Some additional materials charges may apply for larger projects.
Some additional materials charges may apply for larger projects.
The FORT PONTIAC CHALLENGE Patches are also available on Early American Skills weekends. See the Living History Events Page for dates and registration links
These weekends will focus on learning Early American Skills. Those interested may work on earning the Fort Pontiac Challenge center patch and one or more corner patches.
It should be noted that most program areas have limits on the number of particpants that can be accommodated and there are age limits on some activities for safety reasons. The projects and activities are designed for adults and High School aged youth (14 yrs and up).
See the Fort Pontiac Challenge patch flier for descriptions of the corner patches available. As new patches become available they will be added to this flier.
The Fort Pontiac Challenge Patches
The Fort Challenge program is now available to all registered Early American Skills Experience participants
People who have not preregistered may be able to fill any available slots based on materials and staff availability.
If you are a Venturer interested in working towards the Outdoor Living History Elective please contact the Chief Pontiac Programs Kensington Living History Village Staff at least one week prior to make arrangements discuss your goals.
Contact the KLHV Staff at KLHV@ChiefPontiacPrograms.org. to make arrangements.