Esquiry/Equerry (Equestrian Expertise):
Mentored instruction in horsemanship and equestrian skills, including the proper care of horses, groomsmanship, stable construction and maintenance, knowledge of equine diseases and health, riding instruction, and elementary farriery. Potentially, this may lead to competitive sport and showmanship in various equestrian activities (steeplechase, fox hunting, hacking, polo, &c.).
Rare Breeds Husbandry:
Mentored instruction in the management, uses, and preservation of rare animal breeds, with an emphasis on traditional farming methods, and including acquisition of associated skills (e.g., sheep-shearing, sheepdog training, dairying, working with oxen, poultry management, &c.). Specializations in different animals will require a broad understanding of the proper care of that specialty, including health […]
Fencing/swordsmanship:
A future collaboration with the Ligonier Fencing Club and other specialty salles, to offer instruction in historical fencing and swordsmanship techniques. This will eventually provide opportunities to compete in local, regional, and national events.
Beekeeping:
Mentored instruction in the historical practice of beekeeping, including hive maintenance and health, hive construction, honey production, and the role of bees in agriculture.
Maple Sugaring:
Instruction in the process of harvesting and producing maple syrup using traditional techniques.
Traditional Surveying & Cartography:
Mentored instruction in traditional techniques and theory of land surveying and mapmaking, as a means of supplementing and illustrating concepts found geography, geometry, trigonometry, and navigation.
Fiber Arts (Spinning, Weaving, & Dyeing):
Mentored instruction in the textile ares, including spinning various kinds of fibers (e.g., wool, flax, &c.), weaving of cloth, and the art of dyeing materials using natural dyes.
Silver- & Gold-smithing, Engraving
Apprenticed instruction in the working of various precious metals, including engraving and stone-setting techniques used in historical metalworking.
Tailoring & Mantua-Making:
Apprenticed instruction in traditional tailoring and dressmaking, focusing on the construction of historical garments using heritage techniques. This will also include a thorough understanding of the various ages and places of clothing in the history of the world, and the ability to replicate historical examples with exacting detail and accuracy. Likewise, applied skills in […]
Bookbinding, Printing & Papermaking:
Apprenticed instruction which explores the historical techniques of bookbinding and printing, focusing on the arts of preserving, accurately replicating, and restoring books and other printed materials. This also includes a mastery of papermaking, and the art of making hand-marbled papers, using historical methods.
