BROWNINGTON: The Old Stone Museum in Brownington (Vt.) is well-known for the educational workshops, on both modern day and historical subjects, that it holds beginning in April and continuing throughout the tourist season, well into the fall. This historical landmark, located in a quiet, picturesque Northeast Kingdom village, includes six buildings on fifty-five acres. This hillside town is centered around a monumental stone dormitory which was built in 1834-36 by Rev. Alexander Twilight, the nation’s first African-American college graduate and state legislator.

The stone house now houses 21 rooms of exhibits focusing on 19th century life in northern Vermont. The collection includes furniture, textiles, photographs, pottery, folk and fine art, and many of the tools and utensils of daily life. The exhibits continue in Twilight’s own house, two more historic houses and a traditional barn. This landmark “still looms up on that hilltop, unshaken and monolithic, as the day it was

completed”.

Event organizers recently released the next group of workshops to be held for all to enjoy and learn from:

May 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Saturday) - International Blacksmith Day Hammer-in Meet the Blacksmith Course Instructors in the Moffat Forge, where they will be demonstrating the skills that students will be taught in their classes. Sign up for classes and share your interests.

June 1 & 2, 9 am - 5 pm: Traditional Timber Framing Class (Saturday and Sunday),Makaio Maher, lead timber framer on our barn project last year will guide students in building the small timber frame shed to connect the new barn to the Old Stone House. This class will include square rule layout, hewing and cutting of timbers with only hand tools. Cost is $100 or $85 for Museum members. Please bring a lunch along. Students may take both this Traditional Timber Framing Course and the Modern Timber Framing Course with power tools - being offered July 13 & 14, for $175 or $150 for Museum members.

June 1 & 8, 1 - 4 pm.( consecutive Saturdays) Knitting Class: 2-at-a-Time-Socks, Diana Foster will teach how to knit a pair of sample socks, 2 at a time, on a 40 inch circular needle. Cost is $25 or $20 for Museum members, plus a $28 material fee, which includes a beautiful 138 page hardcover book, a 40 inch circular needle and 2 balls of colorful super wash wool yarn in the color of your choice.

June 5, 9 - 11 am (Wednesday) Growing Strawberries Successfully: Michelle Bonin, of Peak View Berry Farm, will discuss all phases of growing strawberries. Whether you want to grow them for your own fresh eating or for market, Michelle will answer all your questions. Gathering at the Museum first. Cost is $25 or $20 for Museum members.//June 12 (Wednesday) - Basket-Making Class: “Market Basket” - Join Carolyn Starr in the Education Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and learn how to make a beautiful and useful basket. Class cost $25, or $20 members, plus $25 materials. After three of Carolyn’s classes you can join her bimonthly basket workshop, for only the cost of materials.

June 15 (Saturday): Antique Engine Show, Grand Opening of Farm Exhibit, Barbecue & Blue Grass Jam – This year’s show also includes antique and classic cars, and a postcard show. Engine Show is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., chicken barbecue starts at 4 p.m. Bring your instrument and join the Blue Grass Jam. No admission charge to the Engine Show. Barbecue $10 @ plate.

Please register five days in advance for classes online www.oldstonehousemuseum.org , or phone (802)754-2022; Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If the class lasts through meal time, bring your lunch.