General Workshop Information

Classes start at 9:00 and stop for lunch at 12:00.
They resume at 1:00 pm and end at 4:00 pm. (The Rye Basket class is an exception).

Students are encouraged to spend the night at the Dill Tavern. The tavern is an interactive museum, with all the amenities of an 18th Century tavern. This means you will sleep on a rope bed (bring your own sleeping bag). Light after dark is by candlelight, 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 out to one of Dillsburg’s restaurants. Several are within walking distance. Modern bathrooms are available outside, in a separate building behind the tavern. There is a small modern kitchen in that same building, where you can store food in a refrigerator and cook on an electric range if that suits your needs better. There are no shower facilities available. There are sinks in the bathrooms and a hose to wash off with outside. Spend the evening in the 1794 taproom with other brave students and instructors, enjoying good conversation and a fire in the fireplace. There is no additional charge to students, for this unique stay over adventure. Of course, other modern (less educational) lodging options are available in Dillsburg. Please don’t bring any pets of any kind.

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 the list will take your place. If for any reason a class is cancelled (maybe there aren’t enough people signed up, for example), your money will be returned in full. A conformation form will be mailed to you recognizing any payments we receive. Please make sure you write down the name of the workshop you are interested in, and print it in the notation area on any checks you send.

To answer questions, or send checks:
Sam McKinney, Traditional Builder traditionalbldr@comcast.net
6 Coover Court
(717) 432-4553
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania 17019
Email Sam
Dills Tavern Preservation Workshops
For 2008

Reproducing Early Pennsylvania Stonework
May 29 and 30
This two 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 period and modern stone cutting techniques will be covered. Early clay mortars will be discussed, as well as an acceptable lime mortar replacement. This class will be constructing the foundation for the Dills Tavern wood wrights shop, that will be erected later in the summer. Instructors: Sam McKinney and Kevin Ricker
10 student limit
Fee is: $200.00 Per person
email for more info | click here to read about our Instructors

Timber Frame Repairs and Raising of the Wood Wrights Shop
July 10, 11, and 12
The purposed Dills Tavern wood wrights shop, was a timber frame wagon shed, (27’x30’), that we numbered and disassembled last summer. This group of students will be responsible for making new pieces of that frame, to replace members that are badly rotted. They will be taught the basics of doing a mortise and tenon, with period tools. When the new pieces are reproduced, the bents of the building will be assembled with pegs. Then, on the last day, the frame will be raised to its proper place, creating the new Dills Tavern wood wrights shop. Instructors: Sam McKinney and Kevin Ricker
10 student limit
Fee is $250.00 per person
email for more info | click here to read about our Instructors

Rye Straw Basket Making
September 17,18, and 19
Evenings: 6:30 to 9:00
The first evening, will be a presentation of the history and uses of Pennsylvania German rye straw baskets. The lecture will include, slides, actual examples of baskets and, the tools needed to do the work. The next two evenings will be hands on, making a rye straw basket. Instructor: Arthur Bert
12 student limit
Fee is $175.00 per person
email for more info | click here to read about our Instructors

Natural Wool Dyeing
October 25 and 26
Students will be shown how to use locally gathered traditional dyestuff, such as walnut shells, goldenrod, etc. The dyes will be processed in a large iron kettle over an open fire. You will learn about the skeining of spun natural wool, and the preparation of the mordant bath. Each participant will go home with 1 to 3 skeins of finished dyed yarn. Instructor: Donna Bert
10 student limit
Fee is $225.00 per person
email for more info | click here to read about our Instructors

Introduction to Open Hearth Cookery and a Taste of History
June 14 and 15
This two day beginners class will introduce you to the basics of 18th and 19th century cooking in the tavern’s 1794 kitchen hearth. Students will learn how to make a proper cooking fire, how to identify and use a dutch oven, spider, pots, kettles, etc., and how to prepare a variety of period foods. Then you get to eat what you have created. Instructor: Linda Zeigler
8 student limit
Fee is 200.00 per person
email for more info | click here to read about our Instructors

Installing Wood Shingles
Date To Be Announced
Sometime this spring, Kevin and Sam will finish the freestanding bake oven building. The roof of this structure will be wood shingles. This will give us a nice small project to allow some students to come for a day and learn how to install wood shingles. We can’t give a date for the class at this time, but if you check the dillstavern.com website, we will offer this class sometime in the summer. It will most likely happen on a Saturday. Instructors: Sam McKinney and Kevin Ricker
email for more info | 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