Learn timeless skills with the help of experts at GCV&M!
Workshops are small classes in historic cooking, fiber, leatherworking, and more! Experts at the Museum guide class participants to explore new hobbies and skills and give a taste of life in the 19th Century.
Historic Trades Experiences are day-long, one-on-one immersive opportunities to learn and work alongside a tradesperson in costume.
Meet-a-Trade Teen Camps are offered one week during the summer for 15 – 18-year-olds. Have a younger camper? Check out Jack of All Trades camps for age 11 – 15.
Historic Trades Experiences
Don a historic costume and spend a day – or two – behind-the-scenes alongside a tradesperson in the Historic Village. Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind experience, learn about the trade with hands-on practice, and take home what you make.
Member: $144; Non-Member: $160
Double your experience! Add a second day for just $100.
Experiences available:
Blacksmith | Tinsmith | Pottery | Print Shop | Woodshop (beginning woodworking or wood turning) | Shaker (broom making) | Cooper
What will my day look like? Each experience is unique and varies based on student knowledge and daily programming. Generally, you’ll arrive at 9am and head to the Costume Shop for your historic costume, then attend Morning Meeting, our daily gathering of Interpreters. You’ll spend 10am – 4pm (with a lunch break!) in the trade building learning and working alongside the tradesperson. At the end of the day, you’ll return your costume then wrap up about 4:30pm.
Experiences are for a single adult student and scheduled based on interpreter/student availability and Museum calendar during open hours; costumes are optional and may require a fitting appointment. Black out dates include large field trip weekdays in May and June, Thursdays in August, and weekend special event days.
Click the button below to learn more or schedule your experience:
Workshops
Across the Museum, experts are ready to share timeless skills with you and your friends or family! Learn something new or brush up your skills related to:
Historic Trades | Gardening | 19th Century Cooking & Baking | Fiber Arts | Gallery | Nature Center
Price varies by class depending on preparation needs, size and length of workshop, and take-home items. Details for each workshop can be found below.
2027 Workshops will be added in January
Garden Workshops
While flowers bloom primarily in the warmer months, there’s something to learn from GCV&M’s historic gardeners all year long.
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Historic Trades Workshops
Metal, wood, ink, broomcorn, leather, and hops, alongside ingenuity and practice, are the ingredients in these trades workshops!
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Fiber Arts Workshops
From sheep to shawl and finer fiber work, GCV&M’s expert interpreters offer classes that include yarn dyeing and spinning, embroider, and quilting.
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19th Century Cooking & Baking Workshops
Get in on the action in our historic kitchens! Historic cooks offer hands-on learning experiences utilizing receipts, tools, methods, and techniques from the 19th Century. Workshops include baking, cooking, cheesemaking, and more.
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It pays to be a Member
Museum Members receive free daily admission to GCV&M, guaranteed access to special events, discounts on classes, and more!