Early American Skills Weekend Programs and Fort Pontiac Challenge
For Adults, and youth aged 14 and up.
Classes are offered in four hour blocks. Classes will normally be offered three times per weekend on scheduled weekends.
Classes will be 4 hours in length. Saturday classes are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM NOON, Sunday classes are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Fees per person per class: Adults age 21 and over: $55, Youth age 14 to 21: $30, Seniors age 60 and up: $40
Additional materials charges may apply for some project areas.
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.
Walk-Ins will be accepted if space and materials are available, however to ensure that you have the best experience, of your choice, preregistration is strongly recommended.
In addition to hands on experience, students will learn the history and lore surrounding the trade. Phrases in modern language that have their roots in the trade, and modern applications of the trade.
View Space Availability and Register
- 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, Spike 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.
- 6 board chest. - Beginner to intermediate level project - 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.
- Bow Saw. - Beginner to intermediate level project - 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.
- Wooden Toys. - Beginner to intermediate level - Make an assortment of small traditional wooden toys. Skills used in this class are Tracing from a pattern, delicate sawing, drilling small holes with a pump drill and Archimedes drill, using and sharpening a chisel. Students will use a coping saw, and variety of other small hand tools
- Foot Stool - Beginner to intermediate project - 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.
- Pouting Chair. - Intermediate to Advanced level project - 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.
- Roubo Bookstand. - Advanced level project - 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.
- Basic Life Skills in Early America - In this multifaceted class, students will learn and do the following:
- Sew a canvas "possibles bag" on an antique hand-crank sewing machine OR sew a leather bag by hand.
- Splice a loop in a length of rope.
- Learn to start a fire with flint and steel and take home their own boxed fire-starting kit.
- Learn about the history of the Fur Trade Era in the Greate Lakes Region
- 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.
- WOOL WASHING AND DROP SPINDLE SPINNING - In this fully hands-on class, students will experience the following:
- Learn about and handle fibers from many types of fiber-producing animals and plants.
- Understand the different characteristics in various fibers.
- WEATHER PERMITTING, we will wash some raw sheep fleece over an open fire.
- Learn to hand card and spin previously washed wool on a drop spindle. Students will receive a drop spindle and carded wool to take home with them.
- Time permitting, students will be able to try spinning on a spinning wheel.
- BEGINNING WEAVING - In this informative, hands-on class, students will be introduced to the following:
- Learn about weaving in Colonial times.
- See several types of looms and learn about their different features.
- Learn about the various threads and yarns used in weaving.
- Experience threading a floor or table loom.
- Weave a table mat to take home.
- INTERMEDIATE WEAVING - Students need to have completed the Beginning Weaving class before taking this class. (Limited availability, one student per class period)
- Students will weave a small rug or similar project on a rug loom or smaller floor loom.
- Colonial Baking using the brick oven, Dutch ovens and reflector oven
- Menu 1 Molasses bread, apple pie, dump cake, campers pizza, biscuts de chocolat
- Menu 2 honey oatmeal bread, meat tourte, berry pie, sweet potato biscuits, rosewater current cake
- Open fire cooking using the stew stove, Dutch oven and the campfire -
- Menu 1 pea soup, pot roast, ragoo of French beans, pomate of parsnips, welsh cookies
- Menu 2 Cornish hen on the spit, lemon or bag cheese, candied lemon peel, buttered onions, cabbage with onions, bannock
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
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.