Historic Rugby is producing a series of wide-ranging fall workshops that offer participants new skills for traditional hobbies that include yarn spinning, basket weaving and even bee keeping.
The 1880 museum village, with its unique Victorian architecture, lodging in historic buildings and wooded river gorge setting, is an ideal location to escape the rush of daily life while learning some techniques passed down through generations.
“From baskets to bees, these skills are ones that 19th-century Rugby residents and even those Appalachian pioneers here on the Cumberland Plateau before Rugby’s days would have valued,” said Kevin Harris, the site’s education director.
Reservations are required and may be made by calling 423 628-2441 or emailing RugbyEducation@highland.net.
Basket Workshops Weekend, Oct. 11-12, 10 a.m. Saturday – Large Narrow Tote: This is a handy tote-style basket. Made with a choice of short or long strap handles, this narrow, generously sized basket can be carried on a shoulder comfortably. Sunday – Medium Cat Head Spoon Basket: Taking its name from the shape resembling the bowl of a spoon, this Shaker-style basket features a cat head base with bushel basket handles. The workshop fee is $85 for both days or $45 for a single day.
Bee Keeping 101, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Instructors Boyd Mitchell and Charles Gibbs teach all about the dos and don’ts of beekeeping: why bees are important, startup costs, possible income and what to plant to keep honeybees happy. No experience or equipment is needed for this class. The workshop fee is $15.
Spin Your Own Yarn, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. – Instructor Sue Duncan will help participants create their own yarns for knitting and crocheting. Learn how to twist together beautiful exotic fibers using a drop spindle and spinning wheel. Experiment with spinning a variety of animal and plant fibers. Everyone will be provided with a drop spindle to take home with them as well as a box of fibers. The workshop fee is $50.
Thanksgiving Marketplace Mini Class: Needle-felt Christmas Ornaments, Nov. 28, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – The ancient art of felting compacts fibers together to make a non-woven fabric. Using wool, a cookie cutter, and a very sharp barbed needle, instructor Sue Duncan will show how to make unique Christmas ornaments. Children should be accompanied by an adult and must be at least 10 years old. The workshop fee is $10.
Lodging is possible for participants in the workshops in non-profit Historic Rugby’s bed and breakfast or its cottages, subject to availability. The site’s Harrow Road Café offers meals.
Historic Rugby is a British-American founded village just off Highway 52 at the southern boundary of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Directions and other information are on its website at www.historicrugby.org.