Katie Avram
Over the next two months, Historic Rugby is offering a series of late summer workshops giving participants the chance to learn skills for traditional hobbies that include knitting, basket weaving and even making and playing a dulcimer.
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.
“Folks can step back in time, learn a craft technique that is part of Appalachian & British culture, and support Historic Rugby’s mission to restore, preserve and interpret the cultural and natural resources of this Tennessee treasure,” said Kevin Harris, the site’s education coordinator.
Reservations are required and may be made by calling 423-628-2441 or emailing RugbyEducation@highland.net.
On Aug. 16-17, Katie Avram of SassyKat Baskets will host a weekend of basket making classes. Saturday’s workshops begin at 10 a.m. ET with an introduction to plain, square base and traditional rim, as well as simple weaving. At 1 p.m. ET, the class resumes with techniques for wooden-based bowl baskets to fit a round serving dish. On Sunday at 10 a.m. ET is a session on long windowsill baskets, perfect for holding herbs on a windowsill. The fee for all sessions is$100, or Saturday only for $63 and Sunday only for $43.
On Sept. 6, Mary Curren will teach an intermediate knitting workshop at 10 a.m. ET, giving instruction on making a scarf from patterned stitches. The fee is $25.
For the musician seeking to expand, or any beginners wanting to learn their first instrument, Rugby musician Kelly McCauley will host a make-your-own-dulcimer workshop on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. ET. This course instructs students in building their own cardboard dulcimer and learning the basics of playing the instrument. Registration ends on Aug. 1. The fee for the class is $60, providing a dulcimer kit with tuning and a chord booklet.
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 located just off Highway 52 at the southern boundary of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.