About this Event
This workshop is being offered in two different time slots.
Dan learned to cooper during the summers of 1980-87 at Fort William Historical Park, where his training involved the use of traditional hand tools, while working pine, cedar and occasionally oak. After becoming a teacher and moving to the Toronto area, he worked briefly at the cooperage at The Village at Black Creek. In the early 1990s he was a volunteer at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, demonstrating coopering in their barn. For years he travelled to many of the smaller museums in Southern Ontario, demonstrating traditional coopering. In 2001 he became a high school administrator, which limited his woodworking time. Recently Dan has decided to dust off his tools and get back into coopering. With an emphasis on learning new, modern aspects of this trade he is gathering information about wine barrels, while taking on the occasional creative project. In June of 2019, Dan retired as a high school principal. Currently working out of a small garage, Dan is spends some of his time creating new items out of old wine and whiskey barrels. To see what his latest project, follow Dan on Instagram @Workhop.Wonders
Coopering is the traditional craft of making wooden barrels, casks, tubs, and other staved containers—an essential trade in early Ontario for storing and transporting everything from flour to whiskey. In the 19th century, coopers were vital to the province’s milling, farming, and distilling industries, and their work helped shape many local economies.
This Spring, spend a morning or afternoon at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum to engage in hands-on history with this small-group workshop! Class will include a short presentation, and will take participants from concept to completed project.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre, 14732 Woodbine Avenue, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Canada
CAD 50.85
