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