March 13-14: Build a Federal Dressing Glass, Part IV, with Steve Latta, The completion of this fabulous Federal project with Steve. Students provide their own tools and lumber, as recommended. May be an extra Materails Fee. Class begins at 9am. Cost is $300.00.

March 27-29: Build the Rococo carving extravaganza Reifsnyder Easy Chair, Part I, with Gene Landon. c 1765-70. In "American Rococo", 1750-1775 page 210, Morrison Heckscher says, "Only very occasionally were easy chairs in Philadelphia made with carved seat rails and arms supports, true essays in the rococo style. The ultimate inspiration for the design of those elements appears to be the cabriole-leg version of the "French chairs" in "The Director". A chair of that type has carving that is the work of an altogether superior and exceptional talent. All four legs end in naturalistic hairy- paw feet, and the skirts are carved with sprightly foliage against a diapered pattern and with a human mask, a great rarity in American furniture, as in American silver)at the center front. Tips of the leafage extend artfully over the upper-edge molding of the skirts. Here is one of the greater moments in Philadelphia carving. It can be attributed, with a reasonable assurance, to Hercules Courtenay,... who worked for Benjamin Randolph." Project has 4 parts. Class begins at eight o'clock.Cost is $600.00.Students provide their own tools and lumber.
Photo: American Rococco, Morrison Heckscher pg. 210.

April 17-18: Vine and Berry with Steve Latta. Instruction will cover both the basics and the more advanced techniques of this unusual South-Central Pennsylvania decorative motif. Though not unique to South-central Pennsylvania, this subtle decorative technique embellished many beautiful pieces of furniture built in this area and made the technique famous and highly sought after. Associated especially with Chester County, this compass inlay technique features holly and aromatic cedar berries inlaid into walnut with curvilinear lines.Steve will teach and provide material to build some of the necessary tools to implement this design.. He also recommends that you purchase one or two of the new Lie Nielsen Latta inlay tools. Even if you have taken the beginner courses before with Steve, he will present additional information here to help you advance your skill level. Always a great class. Materials fee. Class is 9am-5pm. Cost is $300.00.
Photo: "The Pennsylvania Spice Box" Lee E. Griffiths pg. 117.

April 24-26: Build a very early Queen Anne Dressing Table, Part I, with Gene Landon. c 1745-1755. This very early dressing table is exquisite in its simplicity. It's very similar to a lowboy that came out of the Fussell/Savery workshop in Philadelphia, a shop patronized by Benjamin Franklin. It has one long drawer over two short drawers, a beautiful serpentine skirt with a characteristic Philadelphia whale's tail motif, cabriole legs ending in beautiful trifid feet, and intaglio carved knees. The top is notched on every corner and has a deep overhang. Students will provide their own tools and material. Class is 8am-6pm. Cost is $600.00. Three part class.
Photo Courtesy of: www.benfranklin300.org

May 1-2: Carve a Philadelphia Ball and Claw Foot with Bess Naylor. Teaching by demonstration first and then students following, you carve your own leg to keep. This technique has been refined by Master Gene Landon and is taught here in the same manner. Learn how to efficiently and consistently carve these definitive motifs with proper 18th century technique. You may also wish to purchase Gene and Bess' booklet on how to carve these feet.Students will provide their own tools and material. Class is 9am-5pm. Cost is $300.00 plus a materials fee unless you provide your own billet.

May 21: Tour the Philadelphia Museum of Art with David DeMuzio Another precious opportunity to tour the PMA with the always knowledgeable and so-ever-willing-to-share David DeMuzio. We will examine furinture undergoing restoration there as well as the Reifsnyder Easy Chair. Absolutely always a highlight of the year! Price to be determined. Limited attendence. Can carpool from Olde Mill.

May 22-24: Build the Rococo carving extravaganza Reifsnyder Easy Chair, Part II, with Gene Landon. c 1765-70. In "American Rococo", 1750-1775 page 210, Morrison Heckscher says, "Only very occasionally were easy chairs in Philadelphia made with carved seat rails and arms supports, true essays in the rococo style. The ultimate inspiration for the design of those elements appears to be the cabriole-leg version of the "French chairs" in "The Director". A chair of that type has carving that is the work of an altogether superior and exceptional talent. All four legs end in naturalistic hairy- paw feet, and the skirts are carved with sprightly foliage against a diapered pattern and with a human mask, a great rarity in American furniture, as in American silver)at the center front. Tips of the leafage extend artfully over the upper-edge molding of the skirts. Here is one of the greater moments in Philadelphia carving. It can be attributed, with a reasonable assurance, to Hercules Courtenay,... who worked for Benjamin Randolph." Project has 4 parts. Class begins at eight o'clock.Cost is $600.00.Students provide their own tools and lumber.
Photo: American Rococco, Morrison Heckscher pg. 210.

June 5: Sharpening Your Tools and Planes with Tod Herrli, expert Planemaker.Tod has been building and teaching planemaking for many years now and is an expert at sharpening not only straight edges but the more complex profiles as well. This one day will be spent focusing on the sharpening aspects of tuning your hand planes, carving tools of all profiles, edge tools and equally important, how to set up your sharpening equipment. Tod has clarified a lot of sharpening misinformation for me personally. I strongly encourage anyone who is not an expert sharpener themselves, to come learn some invaluable tricks and techniques from Tod. Bring along your carving tools and hand planes for tuning and sharpening in class. No materials fee. Cost of class $150.00. No materials fee.
Tod Herrli's website

June 6-8: Side Escapement Plane Making with Tod Herrli, expert Planemaker.Basic Side Escapement Planemaking Class with Tod Herrli. In this two day class, learn to design and craft your own basic side escapement wooden molding plane such as a hollow, round, thumbnail (1/4 or 3/8 radius), ovolo or drawer bottom plane utilizing floats, chisels and hand saws. Beginning to intermediate hand tool skills recommended. Material fee $60.00. Class fee is $450.00.
Tod Herrli's website

June 12-14: Build a Pennsylvania German Shrank (Clothepress), Part I, with Master Cabinetmaker Gene Landon. You will build your own schrank,shrank,shonk in the historically correct method. You will have many options and choices including size, embellishment, decoration, feet and finish. Composed of three main sections: an independent, elaborately molded cornice, an independent base, and demountable sides.Pegged panel and frame construction, thick boards and large wedged dovetails, beaded backboards. "The richest and most complex form of furniture in Pennsylvania German inventories was generally referred to in English as a clothespress. Because German houses in the 18th century were built without closets in which to hang clothing, virtually every home had a clothes press" page 160, Benno Forman in "Arts of the Pennsylvania Germans". In "Pennsylvania German Arts", page 58, author Irwin Richman says, "The most desirable and luxurious furniture form that the traditional German family would own was the Shrank or wardrobe. Occasionally it was delineated as the "kleidershrank" or clothing wardrobe. The Shrank is similar in form to the Dutch Kas and to the ubiquitous French-denominated armoire. If you owned a Shrank , it would be kept in the best room where it stood as a testimony to your affluence. The most traditional of pieces often have ball fee while bracket or ogee feet are not uncommon. The Interior of the Shrank is usually fitted with wooden hanging hooks for clothing. Many are fitted one half for hanging and half with shelves. Others contain all shelves. Truly a terrific opportunity to build an outstanding piece of furniture that still retains many practical uses in the modern household. Project has 3 parts. Class begins at 8am. Cost is $600.00.Students provide their own tools and lumber.
Photo: Heritage Center Musuem of Lancaster County Schrank. Pennsylvania German Arts, Iwrin Richman pg. 59.

June 26-28: Carve a Queen Anne Cartouche with Master Carver Gene Landon. Learn how to carve this exceptional Philadelphia Queen Anne Cartouche. Originally on an outstanding Desk and Bookcase from circa 1750 in Philadelphia, carving attributed to Samuel Harding.

July 10-12: Build a Very Early Queen Anne Dressing Table, Part II, with Gene Landon. c 1745-1755. This very early dressing table is exquisite in its simplicity. It's very similar to a lowboy that came out of the Fussell/Savery workshop in Philadelphia, a shop patronized by Benjamin Franklin. It has one long drawer over two short drawers, a beautiful serpentine skirt with a characteristic Philadelphia whale's tail motif, cabriole legs ending in beautiful trifid feet, and intaglio carved knees. The top is notched on every corner and has a deep overhang. Students will provide their own tools and material. Class is 8am-6pm. Cost is $600.00. Three part class.
Photo Courtesy of: www.benfranklin300.org

July 24-26: Build a Very Rare Early Philadelphia American Tea Caddy with Gene Landon. Build your own! The Philadelphia Tea Caddy was quite rare in the 18th century. Ours will sport blind dovetails, three interior compartments, one hidden compartment, one slider with hidden mote spoon compartment, ogee bracket feet and an ogee shaped top. Approximate dimensions are 10" wide by 5" deep by 8" high Students will provide their own tools and material. Class is 8am-6pm. Cost is $600.00. One part class.

August 7-9: Build the Rococo carving extravaganza Reifsnyder Easy Chair, Part III, with Gene Landon. c 1765-70. In "American Rococo", 1750-1775 page 210, Morrison Heckscher says, "Only very occasionally were easy chairs in Philadelphia made with carved seat rails and arms supports, true essays in the rococo style. The ultimate inspiration for the design of those elements appears to be the cabriole-leg version of the "French chairs" in "The Director". A chair of that type has carving that is the work of an altogether superior and exceptional talent. All four legs end in naturalistic hairy- paw feet, and the skirts are carved with sprightly foliage against a diapered pattern and with a human mask, a great rarity in American furniture, as in American silver)at the center front. Tips of the leafage extend artfully over the upper-edge molding of the skirts. Here is one of the greater moments in Philadelphia carving. It can be attributed, with a reasonable assurance, to Hercules Courtenay,... who worked for Benjamin Randolph." Project has 4 parts. Class begins at eight o'clock.Cost is $600.00.Students provide their own tools and lumber.
Photo: American Rococco, Morrison Heckscher pg. 210.

September 11-13: Build a Pennsylvania German Shrank (Clothepress), Part II, with Bess Naylor. You will build your own schrank,shrank,shonk in the historically correct method. You will have many options and choices including size, embellishment, decoration, feet and finish. Composed of three main sections: an independent, elaborately molded cornice, an independent base, and demountable sides.Pegged panel and frame construction, thick boards and large wedged dovetails, beaded backboards. "The richest and most complex form of furniture in Pennsylvania German inventories was generally referred to in English as a clothespress. Because German houses in the 18th century were built without closets in which to hang clothing, virtually every home had a clothes press" page 160, Benno Forman in "Arts of the Pennsylvania Germans". In "Pennsylvania German Arts", page 58, author Irwin Richman says, "The most desirable and luxurious furniture form that the traditional German family would own was the Shrank or wardrobe. Occasionally it was delineated as the "kleidershrank" or clothing wardrobe. The Shrank is similar in form to the Dutch Kas and to the ubiquitous French-denominated armoire. If you owned a Shrank , it would be kept in the best room where it stood as a testimony to your affluence. The most traditional of pieces often have ball fee while bracket or ogee feet are not uncommon. The Interior of the Shrank is usually fitted with wooden hanging hooks for clothing. Many are fitted one half for hanging and half with shelves. Others contain all shelves. Truly a terrific opportunity to build an outstanding piece of furniture that still retains many practical uses in the modern household. Project has 3 parts.
Photo: Landis Valley Museum Schrank, Pennsylvania German Arts, Iwrin Richman pg. 58.

September 18-19: Build an American Federal Sideboard, Part I, with Steve Latta.This project is on tempoary hold. More info to come soon!

October 8: "A Sneak Peek at Winterthur Museum's 2011 Southeastern Pennsylvania Furniture Exhibitition" with Curators Wendy Cooper and Lisa Minardi. For those of you who love early Colonial and especially early Pennsylvania furniture - this is an opportunity you do not want to miss!!! We will have the privledge to get behind the scenes information and current research discovered from these two very knowledgeable and hard-working curators as they prepare for the 2011 Exhibition. They have been researching this topic for some time, and have fascinating and new information to share. This Special Lecture will then be followed by a 2-hour tour, entitled "Antiques and Architecture", focusing on furniture. The Gardens and Gallery are also available. We can carpool from Olde Mill or meet at the Museum. This is truly an exceptional opportunity -don't miss it!!! Cost is $85.00 per person.

October 9-11: Build a Very Early Queen Anne Dressing Table, Part III, with Gene Landon. c 1745-1755. This very early dressing table is exquisite in its simplicity. It's very similar to a lowboy that came out of the Fussell/Savery workshop in Philadelphia, a shop patronized by Benjamin Franklin. It has one long drawer over two short drawers, a beautiful serpentine skirt with a characteristic Philadelphia whale's tail motif, cabriole legs ending in beautiful trifid feet, and intaglio carved knees. The top is notched on every corner and has a deep overhang. Students will provide their own tools and material. Class is 8am-6pm. Cost is $600.00. Three part class.
Photos: Courtesy of www.benfranklin300.org.

October 16-17: Build an American Federal Sideboard, Part II, with Steve Latta. Project on hold at the moment. More info to come soon.

October 30: Upholster a Period Slip Seat with Master Upholsterer Ralph Dermotta. Students will be given direction to upholster their own slip seat. Ralph will give an introduction to upholstery designs as well as an overview of upholstery methods of the 18th century. He will also discuss fabrics and use of natural supplies. Participants will bring the slip seat frame already constructed. If possible, also bring a top fabric of your choice, about 27" x 24" per slip seat. Bring a tape measure and fabric shears, if possible. Ralph will provide Web stretcher regulators and a 4 inch needle per student. A magnetic upholstery hammer can be ordered in advance. Ralph will also supply - for the day- at a cost of $10 a seat - burlap, webbing, twine, cotton batting, muslin, hair, tacks, and cambric. This will be a limited class. Ralph has been an upholster with special knowledge in 18th-century American furniture during a long and successful career. We have been very fortunate to have his knowledge accessible, but as he has eased into semi-retirement, he will be less available. He has graciously agreed to teach us the very basics of 18th-century American furniture upholstery , beginning with this class. Cost is $125.00.

November 6-9: Build a Windsor Chair with Instructor/Author Jim Rendi. Join us for a great opportunity to make your own Windsor Chair. Jim has extensive experience in making Windsors, in the same manner as the originals were made. You will learn how to rive the wood, steam bend and construct these sweet chairs just as the chairmakers of old. Jim will provide turnings and material. Cost is Class begins at 9am. Specific chair to be determined, soon, with picture!
Photo: Philadelphia Lowback Windsor Chair, The Windsor Style in America, Charles Santore. pg. 77.

November 13-15: Build the Rococo carving extravaganza Reifsnyder Easy Chair, Part IV, with Gene Landon. c 1765-70. In "American Rococo", 1750-1775 page 210, Morrison Heckscher says, "Only very occasionally were easy chairs in Philadelphia made with carved seat rails and arms supports, true essays in the rococo style. The ultimate inspiration for the design of those elements appears to be the cabriole-leg version of the "French chairs" in "The Director". A chair of that type has carving that is the work of an altogether superior and exceptional talent. All four legs end in naturalistic hairy- paw feet, and the skirts are carved with sprightly foliage against a diapered pattern and with a human mask, a great rarity in American furniture, as in American silver)at the center front. Tips of the leafage extend artfully over the upper-edge molding of the skirts. Here is one of the greater moments in Philadelphia carving. It can be attributed, with a reasonable assurance, to Hercules Courtenay,... who worked for Benjamin Randolph." Project has 4 parts. Class begins at eight o'clock.Cost is $600.00.Students provide their own tools and lumber.
Photo: American Rococco, Morrison Heckscher pg. 210.

November 20-21: Chip Carving Techniques, with World-renown chip carver Wayne Barton. Learn Chip Carving Basics, Intermediate and Advanced techiques with the international expert Wayne Barton, Mr. Chip Carver Himself. Wayne has written many chip carving books, developed his own tools and knows and can teach it all! And be quite entertaining in the entire process! Don't miss this opportunity to learn this beautiful decorative technique that dates back to early times. No experience necessary, but Wayne will take all levels of experience. Tools, books and wood available from Wayne. 9am - 5pm each day. $300.00. Class is 9am til 5pm.
Photos: Courtesy of Wayne Barton, chipcarving.com.

December 4-5: Build an American Federal Sideboard, Part III, with Steve Latta. This class is also on temporary hold until more info is determined.

December 11-13: Build a Pennsylvania German Shrank (Clothepress), Part III, with Bess Naylor. You will build your own schrank,shrank,shonk in the historically correct method. You will have many options and choices including size, embellishment, decoration, feet and finish. Composed of three main sections: an independent, elaborately molded cornice, an independent base, and demountable sides.Pegged panel and frame construction, thick boards and large wedged dovetails, beaded backboards. "The richest and most complex form of furniture in Pennsylvania German inventories was generally referred to in English as a clothespress. Because German houses in the 18th century were built without closets in which to hang clothing, virtually every home had a clothes press" page 160, Benno Forman in "Arts of the Pennsylvania Germans". In "Pennsylvania German Arts", page 58, author Irwin Richman says, "The most desirable and luxurious furniture form that the traditional German family would own was the Shrank or wardrobe. Occasionally it was delineated as the "kleidershrank" or clothing wardrobe. The Shrank is similar in form to the Dutch Kas and to the ubiquitous French-denominated armoire. If you owned a Shrank , it would be kept in the best room where it stood as a testimony to your affluence. The most traditional of pieces often have ball fee while bracket or ogee feet are not uncommon. The Interior of the Shrank is usually fitted with wooden hanging hooks for clothing. Many are fitted one half for hanging and half with shelves. Others contain all shelves. Truly a terrific opportunity to build an outstanding piece of furniture that still retains many practical uses in the modern household.
Photo: Wright's Ferry Mansion Schrank, Wright's Ferry Mansion, The Collection, Meg Schaefer, Joe Kindig. et al. pg. 145.