Classes teach a range skills for working wood with a limited set of tools.

Timberframing is a thrilling way to develop many wood skills.
Skills are demonstrated with some hands-on opportunities at fairs and other Public Events.

With its ready availability, its varied strength and weight characteristics, and its easy workability, wood has played a major role in human development. The range of occupational skills in woodworking is deeply ingrained even in our lexicon of family names: Sawyer, Cooper, Carpenter, Collier, Cartwright, Wainwright, etc.

We find a renewed interest in working with the hand tools that, with a level of skill, permitted us to build the rural economies. These skills are still as important as they are rewarding in the areas and sites on this earth where electrical power is practical or perhaps not appreciated.

In the Fall of 2001, the Timber Framing class did the joinery and raising of the Lyster barn in Scotts, Michigan. Micheal and Cherie Lyster provided the timbers and covered much of the cost, providing students with an excellent opportunity to learn the craft.

• Timber Framers' Guild
• Michigan Barn Preservation Network

Tillers' introduces students to wheelwrighting.
Wheelwrighting blends wood and metal working. Wheelmaking is very important for international rural development.
Take a look at our calendar of activities.