Calendar of Classes & Events
Chase’s Mill serves as a workshop for hands-on learning and a community gathering space. Every year from mid-June through September, we offer woodworking and craft workshops, lectures of local interest, hikes, and family-friendly events.
Browse our schedule below to learn more and sign up—or jump directly to one of the following topics:
Financial Assistance
Workshops & Classes
Lectures & Presentations
Social Events, Walks, & Field Trips
Community Woodworking Shop Events
Safety Policies
Calendar of Events (monthly view)
All Upcoming Events (list view)
Calendar
Classes and events take place each year from mid-June through September.
Scroll back through the calendar to view past events.
Financial Assistance
Discounts and fee waivers are available for all classes and workshops at Chase's Mill. You will find instructions and details when you register for a class.
If you have questions or have trouble with the registration form, please contact us.
Workshops & Classes
Our theme for 2026 is Connecting through Craft.
Lectures & Presentations
From historical talks to participatory storytelling events and story slams
Thank you for a great season of Lectures and Presentations. See you in 2027.
Community Woodworking Shop
Make use of open shop time or the Lumber Bank at our Community Woodworking Shop.
Safety Policies
Please be sure to review our safety policies, as well as our visitor/participant releases. All woodshop or craft class participants will be required to adhere to these polices and to sign a release form prior to participation in those activities.
All Upcoming Events
Beeswax Candle Making with a Special Twist
In this class we will make beeswax candles to be enjoyed during the darker days of winter. These candles are made using Japanese Knotweed as a mold and Dogbane cordage for the wicks. These candles are special because they are made using local plants and provide a unique way to utilize invasive knotweed. You will learn how to make reverse wrap cordage from dogbane fibers, learn the process of making candles using knotweed stalk segments as molds, and learn a bit about the natural history of both plants involved. Everyone will go home with at least two candles!
Open Crafts Night Pop Up
Weave a small basket using materials from the Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra). Black ash is an amazing tree that grows in the Northeast and has been traditionally used for basket making for generations. Its growth rings separate easily when pounded, creating strong, flexible splints that are perfect for weaving. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the basics of black ash basket weaving techniques and create your own piece. Everyone will leave with a finished basket approximately 4" × 4".
Weaving a Wee Black Ash Basket
Weave a small basket using materials from the Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra). Black ash is an amazing tree that grows in the Northeast and has been traditionally used for basket making for generations. Its growth rings separate easily when pounded, creating strong, flexible splints that are perfect for weaving. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the basics of black ash basket weaving techniques and create your own piece. Everyone will leave with a finished basket approximately 4" × 4".
The Craft of Poetry, and Poetry about Crafts
Writing a poem about a favorite image or object, whether a painting, a photograph or crafted object (also know as ekphrastic poetry) is an enjoyable way to explore subjects that are meaningful to us. In this session we will look at and discuss examples of poems based on visual images, and spend time working on poems of our own. You can bring an object to inspire you, or use one of the images available at the workshop.
Magic Stools
Using hand and power tools we will construct stools that magically slide together. They can be easily taken apart for storage if desired.
We will be using the chop saw, router, band saw, table saw, jig saw, and hand tools. This is a beginner level class.
Beginners Guide to Mosaics: Crafting a Stepping Stone (Class 1)
Mosaic making is a splendid, versatile art form with endless creative possibilities. In this introduction to mosaics class, you will be designing and making your own stepping stone for use in your garden or home. You will learn the basics of mosaic art: designing, cutting tile, and grouting your work to complete your piece. By the end of this class you will have acquired the skills to continue to craft your own projects at home.
Connecting Through Collage to Your Animal Guide
In this workshop we will create 2 collages on 5"x 8"mat board. The card making will center around the discovery of our animal guide. In the beginning of the workshop, we will be using Jamie Sams and David Carson's Animal Medicine Card Deck to find out who our animal guide is. We will then choose pictures from images that will be on hand. Arranging the images on the cards, we will use scissors and glue to secure them onto the cards. At the end of the workshop we will have time for reflection and sharing with one another.
Making Birch Bark Decorations
Making ornaments from natural materials like birch bark is a wonderful way to give special gifts without breaking the bank. In this class, we will weave one birch bark bird and one eight-pointed star. If there is time, additional items may be created as well.
Making an Outdoor Bench
If you are a relative newby to woodworking and you would like to make something usable in just one class, join us to make this simple outdoor wooden bench. In this three hour class we will walk you through the steps to construct a sturdy bench for your garden or yard. This workshop is designed for people new to woodworking who wish to have exposure to using both hand and power tools, including the table saw, the chop saw, a drill, a tape measure, and a sander.
Singing Games Which Have Stood the Test of Time
In this workshop, I will share many simple songs and games that have been passed down through the generations by children and by teachers. I will also pass on songs and dances shared with me by some members of the Mill Hollow community. Attendees will be invited to participate in the movements of the dances and songs. I will bring some song words and materials to share. If you would like to record the session bring a recording device with you. This is a workshop for adults.
Spoon Carving
Come carve a spoon! Learn to work with the grain of the wood using gouges and knives to shape a unique creation and return home with a functional and beautiful utensil. This class will include an introduction to edge tools and carving safety.
Shibori Cloth Dyeing
Shibori is the Japanese art of indigo dyeing. Participants will get the opportunity to experiment with different methods of creating designs on fabric by tying, folding, clamping and gathering fabric.
Watercolor Basics (Day 2)
This two day introduction to watercolor will help both the beginner and those who wonder how to start. We will talk about paper, paints, brushes, and needed supplies. We will cover terminology and try out techniques and tools. Donna will supply a watercolor pad for each participant and will have extra brushes and paints to use for the lessons, if needed. Bring any watercolor supplies you have, or if you haven't started painting yet, just bring yourself and a willingness to experiment and play with this wonderful medium.
Watercolor Basics (Day 1)
This two day introduction to watercolor will help both the beginner and those who wonder how to start. We will talk about paper, paints, brushes, and needed supplies. We will cover terminology and try out techniques and tools. Donna will supply a watercolor pad for each participant and will have extra brushes and paints to use for the lessons, if needed. Bring any watercolor supplies you have, or if you haven't started painting yet, just bring yourself and a willingness to experiment and play with this wonderful medium.
Hügelkultur Beds: The Best Raised Beds for Your Garden.
With: Ulia Sokol
Class Fee: $30
Class Size: 8-10 / Appropriate for children 8+ with accompanying adult
In this workshop you will get the hands on experience of making a hugelkultur bed and discover the benefits of them as well. Together, we will first assemble the 2 boxes we will be filling, with screws and power screwdrivers. The wood will already be precut. Then, as we fill them, we will learn about the basic structure of filling a hügelkultur bed, the benefits and downsides of hügelkultur beds, the materials needed to get started at home and why mimicking nature benefits your garden.
Ulia Sokol lived and gardened in Maryland and New Hampshire for the past 35 years. She started her organic gardening career as a young girl in Russia and continued her sustainable gardening practices in the United States while continuously improving her knowledge and practices following the best practitioners such as Joe Salatin, Paul Wheaton and many others.
Ulia likes to share her gardening practices, philosophy and practical applications with all who enjoy growing healthy and yummy foods. Come and learn how the foods you grow can fuel your mind, body, and soul.
Sharpen Your Garden Tools
This class is for the frustrated graduates of YouTube University who are looking for real-world skills to finally put an edge on their tools. We're here to replace your confusion with confidence. A sharp tool is a safe tool, and it’s far easier to keep an edge sharp with frequent touch-ups than to resurrect a completely dull one. We'll show you how. You'll learn proven techniques. We'll cover both hand and power sharpening, using a variety of tools including files, oil stones, and waterstones. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to try out power sharpeners.You'll learn the 'Why' behind the 'How' by discussing the different characteristics of metal, proper tool care, and essential safety practices.
Bring Your Old Steel! In most cases, old tools had the best steel. If you have old, forgotten garden tools or garden shears lying around, bring them! It might be time to resurrect them and enjoy the same quality tool someone else has for decades.
You'll leave this class with the practical ability to put an edge on your own tools and the knowledge to keep them sharp for years to come.
Intro to Power Tools
Would you like to learn to set up and use power tools at the Mill? We will make a boot jack, a mitten/plastic bag dryer, and a cell phone holder as we learn to use the equipment. We will be using the drill press, chop saw, router, jig saw, band saw, table saw, as well as hand tools.
Social Events, Walks, & Field Trips
Join others to explore history and nature, share songs and poetry, and visit nearby sites like the library and the historical society.
Gather with community members at Chase’s Mill to celebrate the end of a successful 2026 season. We will press apples to make fresh cider, eat doughnuts right from the cooker, and visit with friends and neighbors.