Frontier Wisdom: Skills from Hearth & Home

2010 Summer Program:  General Information

Frontier Wisdom is a unique series of workshops designed to immerse the participant in 18th century life skills.  Learn to make a “possible” bag, developing a sense of pride and accomplishment as you create something useful and artistic.  Construct a wooden three-legged stool using primitive woodworking tools; make a knife from flint; build a primitive shelter; and make your very own atlatl.  Most participants will have created an authentic replica to take home by the conclusion of the workshop.  

Each morning we will begin with a woods walk, identifying local flora and fauna, and learning how plants and trees were used in the 1740-1840 period.  The Bement-Billings Farmstead began with a sawmill on site operated by the Bements.  Dick Mider and Ed Nizalowski, tree experts, will guide participants to the original saw mill site, and discuss uses for the indigenous trees found on the site in the 1800's.  Come prepared for a variety of weather, though we have plenty of indoor classroom space if needed.  Bring snacks and lunch.  We provide plenty of good company, plenty of things to do, and small groups for each class (about 10 students per session).  We encourage grandparents and parents to participate as their schedules permit.  

Our Presenters:

Bob Berg is internationally known as an expert in the production of equipment and tools made from natural materials.  Using experience gained from several decades of hunting and fishing, Bob will teach his students to make cordage from plant and animal fibers.  This can be used by the hunter to fish, to trap, and to craft clothing, shelter, and tools.  His emphasis is on cultures that used atlatls (spear throwers) to project the power of stone and bone spear points to harvest fish and game.  Students will take home their own atlatl.

Kristi Knapp is an expert at working with buckskin, and with the adornments used to make buckskin clothing and accessories into unique pieces of folk art.  Her students will create their own possible bags, then learn to personalize them with beading, quilling, clay bead, bone and antler buttons, shell and claw decorations, and unusual shoulder strap weaving techniques.  This workshop will include sewing with sinew, and the creation of primitive sewing tools (such as bone awls and bone needles.)  Kristi has worked with adults and young people across the country.  Last winter she conducted a moccasin making class at our Welcome Center.

Joseph Brien operates his own company, Lost Art Workshops.  He provides all the materials and vintage tools necessary for the student to construct a three-legged wooden stool.  He will teach the safe and proper use of a whittling knife, and how to use an ember to char and hollow out the scoop of a spoon.  Joseph has presented workshops and demonstrations in schools, museums, nature centers, and festivals.  He has appeared on CBS “Sunday Morning” and HGTV’S “That’s Clever.”  He taught wooden stool and spoon making in December 2009 at our Welcome Center.  Participants leave with a wooden stool and spoon.

Doug Jenks is a master at Brain Tanning leather.  He has conducted many workshops in early Native American Skills at Waterman Nature Center.  In 2009 Doug taught a two-day course in “Tanning the Indian Way” during Newark Valley’s Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous, and he shared his pioneer wisdom at the Newtown Battlefield reenactment.  He displays tanned hides and his authentic Indian lean-to at rendezvous and reenactments.  Students will learn to weave baskets, to build primitive shelters, to make cordage from natural materials, to flint knap, and to make a knife from flint.   Participants leave with their own knife.  

Jerry Rhodes and Joe Cavanaugh round out the week teaching how to make powder horns, powder measures, and primitive lanterns.  Both have taught classes at the Welcome Center and at the Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous.  Participants leave with a powder horn, powder measure, and wooden lantern.