Dills Tavern Preservation Workshops for 2010

This will be the fourth year for the Dills Tavern Workshops, specializing in early building trades. The result of three years of classes has been three stone foundations, two timber frame buildings, and one bake oven. These class projects are all located on the Dills Tavern site. This year, some of the workshops will be moved to other historic locations in Central Pennsylvania. This is a new outreach program that will offer historical societies and other non-profit organizations the opportunity to have Dills Tavern workshop classes come and erect buildings they would like to have. The historical societies get free labor, (they do, however, pay for materials). The students get to work on interesting and useful projects, and Dills Tavern raises money for its own building projects. We see it as a win, win, situation, for everyone involved. Any historical society interested in this program is encouraged to contact us.

Signing Up For Classes

Fee must be paid 2 weeks before classes. First come, first served basis. If not received by then, next person on list will take your place. If for any reason a class is cancelled, (maybe enough people don’t sign up for example) your money will be returned in full. A confirmation form will be mailed to you recognizing any payments we receive. Please print the name of any workshop you are paying for, in the notation area of your check.

Please make checks out to: NYCHAPS
(Northern York Co. Historical & Preservation Society)
Mail payment to:

Sam McKinney
6 Coover Ct.
Dillsburg, Pa. 17019

717-432-4553
traditionalbldr@comcast.net
All this information can be found on: dillstavern.com

Dills Tavern Information

The Timber Frame class will be held at the Dill Tavern site. Students are encouraged to spend the night at the tavern. The building has all the amenities of the 18th Century. This means you will sleep on a rope bed, (bring your own sleeping bag). Light after dark is by candle, fireplace, or your flashlight. You will be responsible for your own food. Feel free to cook in the 1794 cooking fireplace, in the tavern kitchen, or go to one of Dillsburg's restaurants. Several are within walking distance. Modern bathrooms are available in a separate building, behind the tavern. There is a small modern kitchen in the same building, where you can store food in a refrigerator and cook on a modern stove, if that suits your needs better. There are no shower facilities available. There are sinks in the bathrooms and a hose to wash up with outside. Spend the evening in the 1794 taproom with other brave students and instructors, enjoying good conversation next to the fire. There is no additional charge for this unique stay over adventure. Of course, other modern, (less educational) lodgings are available in Dillsburg. Please don't bring any pets of any kind.

Historic Schaefferstown

This small Lebanon County town has some of the most interesting early architecture found in Central Pennsylvania. The stone class and the bake oven building class will be held on the Alexander Schaeffer Farm. The stone farm house is circa 1736. Historic Schaefferstown would like us to build them a free standing bake oven, so they can do baking demonstrations outside. The students will be allowed to stay overnight in the Gemberling-Rex House, which was an 18th Century tavern. The building retains most of its early interior features, including an original bar cage. There is a modern bathroom available in the building. Bring a sleeping bag and an air mattress. Students will be responsible for their own eating arrangements. Tours of Historic Schaefferstown sites will be available after working hours. This will be an amazing experience. Schaefferstown is located about half way in between Harrisburg and Reading off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Introduction to Open Hearth Cookery April 10 and 11
This two day beginners class will introduce you to the basics of 18th and 19th Century cooking in the historic Dills Tavern 1794 kitchen hearth. No experience is needed. Students will begin by learning to build a proper cooking fire, how to identify and use a Dutch oven, spider, pots, kettles, etc., and how to prepare a variety of foods using period cookbook recipes. Classes end with everybody's favorite, "eating". Come learn, enjoy, and be prepared for a literal "Taste of History". Anyone who completes the class will be encouraged to help cook for various festivals and celebrations held at the tavern.
Instructor: Linda Ziegler
8 student limit
Fee is $150.00 per person
email for more info | view photos of this workshop| click here to read about our Instructors

Bake Oven Baking May 1 and 2
Students will use the Dills Tavern squirrel tail bake oven to bake sweet savory dishes using 18th and 19th Century recipes. In this two day hands on class, you will learn to fire and heat the bake oven and prepare and bake a variety of pies, breads, and stews. There will be plenty to sample and some to take home.
Instructor: Linda Ziegler
8 student limit
Fee is $150.00 per person
email for more info | view photos of this workshop | click here to read about our Instructors

Reproducing Early Pennsylvania Stonework May 27, 28 & 29
This 2 ½ day course will familiarize students with the basic skills of stone masonry, as it was produced in the 18th and early 19th Centuries. A combination of traditional and modern stone cutting techniques will be covered. Early clay mortars will be discussed, as well as, an acceptable lime mortar substitute. This class will be building the foundation of a bake oven, for Historic Schaefferstown in Schaefferstown, Pa. The oven will be located on the historic Alexander Schaeffer Farm.
Instructor: Sam McKinney
6 student limit
Fee is $250.00 per person
email for more info| view photos of this workshop | click here to read about our Instructors

Bake Oven Construction June 24, 25, 26
Students will learn how to build a traditional squirrel tail oven out of antique brick. Clay mortars, lime mortars and clay plaster coatings will all be discussed and used in the construction of this oven. This oven will be constructed for Historic Schaefferstown, on the historic Alexander Schaeffer farm.
Instructor: Sam McKinney
4 student limit
Fee is $300.00 per person
email for more info | view photos of this workshop | view video of this workshop | click here to read about our Instructors

Timber Framing Addition to Dill's Tavern Wheelwright's Shop August 26, 27, & 28
A 12 foot by 27' timber frame addition will be added to the existing wheelwrights shop. The wheelwrights shop was erected in 2008 by the first timber frame class. Traditional techniques and period tools will be used to cut out the new frame. Students will learn how to lay out mortises and tenons and then cut them out. On the last day, the frame will be assembled and erected. This class is intended for beginners. It is not meant for people who already have timber framing experience.
Instructor: Sam McKinney
8 student limit
Fee is $300.00 per person
email for more info | view photos of last year's workshop | click here to read about our Instructors

 

Details About the Tavern for Private Functions


1. Floor plans
2. A Maximum of 80 People Can Occupy the Interior of the Building
3. Exterior
-30x30 Brick Courtyard
-2 Acres of Flat Lawn
-Pavilion Tents Can be Used on Grassy Areas
-Up to 400 People Can Use the Exterior Areas
4. Bathrooms
Separate Summer Kitchen Building Located Behind Tavern has Modern Mens and
Women's Amenities
5. Food Preparation
-The Summer Kitchen has a Small Modern Kitchen Area
-The Modern Kitchen has a Sink, an Electric Stove and a Full-size Refrigerator
-The 1794 Walk-In Fireplace is Available for Hearth Cooking
6. Utilities Available in the Tavern Building
-Electrical Outlets are Located in Some of the Rooms
-Running Water is NOT Available in the Tavern Itself
-Lighting is Accomplished with Candles and Fireplaces
-Heating is Supplied by Fireplaces and Period 10-Plate Wood Stoves
-No air conditioning

To Reserve All or Part of the Tavern Complex or Arrange Tours: Contact Joanne Klase

717-432-2720
Email Joanne