Historic Eastfield Foundation

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Historic Eastfield Foundation

Historic Eastfield hosts an annual series of early American trades & historic preservation workshops. Studying here is meant to be an immersion experience.
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Historic Eastfield Village is not a museum; there are no ropes or glassed-off exhibits. Founder Don Carpentier collected the more than twenty buildings and their contents to serve as a laboratory, allowing Workshop participants the opportunity to study, handle and utilize thousands of architectural elements, tools and typical artifacts of the late 18th-early 19th century. Students and teachers liv

e in the Village during their courses, experiencing first hand the daily lives and work of the tradesmen of the pre-industrial age. Meals are cooked in the late-18th century kitchens. Accommodations are rope beds with straw & feather ticks. Most evenings there are gatherings in the Briggs Tavern and lively conversations in front of a blazing fireplace. The experts and master craftsmen who comprise the faculty are leaders in their fields, and the Annual Series of Workshops maintains the highest educational standards. Students are a mixture of novices, whose interests may be their own old houses, and museum or industry professionals, who are looking to expand their specific skills. This combination offers a dynamic opportunity to share and learn.

04/14/2026

Join us for "Surviving and Thriving in a Revolutionary Time: 18th Century Brewing and Cocktails" on August 9th!

This one-day, hands-on workshop will combine two popular programs, instruction and demonstrations on 18th century brewing and hands-on colonial cocktail building. Led by Michael Carver, the Regimental Brewmeister in period presentation, this workshop will introduce participants to the methods, brews, and experience of a brewer from 1778. You will hear stories of the American Revolution and the variety of ways beer aided in the health and spirits of revolutionaries. In the Cocktail building program, participants will learn the history of tavern and parlor cocktails in the 18th Century, including preparing several cocktails they might have encountered in a tavern in British Colonial America in the 1770s.

This one-day workshop follows our Immersive Tavern Night the evening before. They can be attended separately or join both for the full experience!

Instructor: Michael Carver, the Regimental Brewmeister This one-day workshop will combine two popular programs, instruction and demonstrations on 18th century brewing and hands-on colonial cocktail building. Led by Michael Carver, the Regimental Brewmeister in period presentation, this workshop w

03/30/2026

Featured Workshop: Shallow Relief and Incise Carving on Historic Arms on August 18th-20th.

As we think about the role trades and traditional skills have played in times of Revolution, we can think beyond practicality and also consider personal expression and adornment in everyday life. Carving was nearly always found on civilian arms.

This three-day, hands-on carving class will focus on low-relief and incised techniques historically used in decorating arms, furniture, and other small period items. The workshop will give students an opportunity to study historic design principles, explore different carving methods, and learn how to utilize a small, budget-friendly selection of tools to achieve professional results.

Instructor: Eric von Aschwege This three day carving class will focus on low-relief and incised techniques historically used in decorating arms, furniture, and other small period items. The workshop will give students an opportunity to study historic design principles, explore different carving m

03/23/2026

One spot remaining for Hand-making 18th and 19th Century House Paints on September 26-27th! Perfect for those undertaking restoration projects or those who love historic materials as much as we do.

In this two day, hands-on workshop, participants will make multiple types of housepaint (oil-based, limewash, and distemper), using traditional materials and methods. Paints will be ground on a muller and slab, as well as in a paint mill. Materials will include: linseed oil, animal glue, dry pigments, and chalk. Students will also learn about historic brushes and brushing techniques.

Instructors: Chris Mills & Erika Sanchez In this two day, hands-on workshop, participants will make multiple types of housepaint (oil-based, limewash, and distemper), using traditional materials and methods. Paints will be ground on a muller and slab, as well as in a paint mill. Materials

03/19/2026

We are thrilled to announce a new 19th Century Artist Retreat on July 17th-19th.

This three-day artist retreat is an opportunity for artists to learn 19th century techniques and methods in the unique and inspiring setting of Historic Eastfield Village. Enjoying figure drawing and en plein air painting, artists will step back in time for a long weekend amongst the 18th and 19th century buildings in peaceful pastoral surroundings only minutes from Albany, Troy, Williamstown, Hudson and other cultural hubs.

Instructors: Lance Petersen & Deborah Bayly This three-day artist retreat is an opportunity for artists to learn 19th century techniques and methods in the unique and inspiring setting of Historic Eastfield Village. Participants will learn to draw the figure as done in the 19th century, b

03/17/2026

Funding opportunity extended!

We have a few remaining grant-funded spots for our Conservation Assessment Bootcamp on May 30th and 31st. With the generous support of the Historic Preservation Education Foundation, we are able to provide limited cost-free registrations for those who qualify. This combined with free accommodations and meals provided offers unprecedented access to our programming!

Instructors: Bill Remsen & Ian Stewart In this Conservation Assessment Bootcamp, participants will learn the basic techniques building conservators use to understand how a building is aging and how to intervene in ways that prolong a building’s life—the essence of our work as preservation

03/16/2026

Join us for "Bowl Turning and Tool Forging for the Pole Lathe" on August 31-September 4th. This popular workshop returns after a sold-out success last summer!

In this five-day course, students will learn both turning and blacksmithing skills, forge their own hook tools and then use those tools to turn one or more bowls. Topics will include coal fire use, basic and advanced forging techniques, steel selection, improvised forges, and tool hardening, “tip up” and “tip down” tool design, tool sharpening, wood selection, safe ax technique, various turning techniques, bowl design, and drying, painting, and oiling the finished bowls.

Instructors: Eric Goodson & Beth Holmberg For a thousand years Europeans and Americans used simple foot-powered pole lathes to turn all sorts of wooden products, from bowls to chair legs. Pole lathe turning is a satisfying, portable, off-grid technique, but one of the big obstacles to get

03/09/2026

New Workshop announcement! Adding to our wonderful list of workshops for 2026, we have just opened registration for a new workshop with Olof Jansson. Learn to make an 18th century-style swivel toaster on June 20-21st. Only 4 slots available!

Check out the link below and visit our website to see our other blacksmithing offering--Bowl Turning and Tool Forging for the Pole Lathe on August 31-September 4th.

Instructor: Olof Jansson In this two-day class students will learn to construct a workable 18th-century-style bread toaster for use at an open hearth fireplace. Techniques will include drawing, splitting, punching, twisting, tenoning, riveting, and will be geared towards beginners, though prior m

03/02/2026

Only one spot left for Open Hearth Cookery on October 2-4, 2026!

Think open hearth cooking and fine dining are an oxymoron? Think again! Let’s take advantage of the wide variety of fall-harvested fruits, vegetables, and other traditional fall foods this three-day weekend to prepare and then dine on six sumptuous hearth-cooked meals, all while learning proper fire management and cooking techniques for the hearth and bake oven.

Instructor: Becky Hendricks Think open hearth cooking and fine dining are an oxymoron? Think again! Let’s take advantage of the wide variety of fall-harvested fruits, vegetables, and other traditional fall foods this three-day weekend to prepare and then dine on six sumptuous hearth-coo

02/26/2026

Join Jack Sobon, renowned architect, timber framer, and author, in his two-day Introduction to 18th and 19th Century Timber Framing. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on demonstrations using period tools and techniques. Jack will highlight framing throughout Eastfield Village, giving attendees an inside look few ever get to see!

Instructor: Jack Sobon This two-day course will serve as an introduction to traditional timber frame carpentry as practiced in 18th and 19th century New York and New England. It combines classroom slide presentations with hands-on demonstrations using period tools and techniques, and with the tim

02/19/2026

Workshop registrations are off to a strong start! We have ONE spot remaining for Historic Windows 101 on June 6th and 7th.

This two-day workshop introduces homeowners to the fundamentals of historic window restoration, including how traditional wood windows function, how to assess their condition, and how thoughtful repairs can improve durability and energy performance. Through demonstrations and discussion, attendees will gain a clear understanding of window disassembly, paint and putty removal, glazing, repairs, and long-term maintenance.

Instructor: Rob Cagnetta This two-day workshop introduces homeowners to the fundamentals of historic window restoration, including how traditional wood windows function, how to assess their condition, and how thoughtful repairs can improve durability and energy performance. Through demonstrations

02/18/2026

To commemorate the United States of America's 250th anniversary, we have many programs that link the historic trades and crafts to the nation's founding -- from the role of the letterpress in spreading ideas in the form of broadsides and posters to brewing ales and building cocktails to support the health and morale of soldiers.

Join us for an immersive tavern night with the Regimental Brewmeister and learn the role of the tavern in revolutionary times. You will experience authentic period beverages and entertainment. Lift a glass in a competitive toast, join your neighbours and strangers alike in table games and storytelling, and enjoy the merriment that lifted spirits in the most challenging of times!

Outside of the church, the tavern was the most important institution in most towns. Taverns were used as meeting places for political assemblies and business; places to share news, swap stories, and spread ideas; the site of travel crossroads and community-building. Strangers and neighbours alike ca

02/12/2026

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for our 2026 Historic American Trades and Crafts Workshop Series at Historic Eastfield Village!

This year we have our greatest range of workshops and programs yet. From long-running favorites such as Hearth Cooking and Tinsmithing, to new programs such as an Immersive Tavern Night and an Historic Artists Retreat, there is something for everyone. Learn to restore Historic Windows or Hand-make 18th and 19th Century House Paints, or join us for Dish Camp, now in its 30th year!

Historic American Trades and CraftsWorkshop Series - 2026 Workshops By Date Workshops By Category Workshops By Date Introduction to Early 19th Century Tinsmithing May 23 Conservation Assessment Bootcamp May 30 JUN 7 Historic Windows 101 June 6 Historic House First Aid: Introduction to Preservation C...

Address

East Nassau, NY

Telephone

+15187662422

Website

http://www.historiceastfield.org/

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