Artisan Workshop Weekend

Blacksmith

March 7-8, 2026

Workshop pre-registration is required

Learn a unique skill and craft lifelong memories. Work alongside one of Fort William Historical Park’s heritage artisans in a small group setting to create your very own 19th century inspired items.

Available workshops:

No previous experience in the artisan skills is necessary to participate in these workshops. Age requirements are noted for each particular workshop. All workshops include instruction, tools, materials, and a historic-themed lunch.

Register for a Workshop

Blacksmithing Basics

Blacksmith Artisan Workshop

Participants will learn basic forging skills and techniques of this age-old profession to forge square nails in the same fashion as blacksmiths during 1815. Once participants grasp nail forging, they will move on to hooks.

The workshop will take place either in the Historic Armourer Shop or Modern Blacksmith Shop. The Historic Armourer shop is a minimally heated building. Please bring layers and dress according to the outdoor temperatures.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 2 p.m.

Duration: 3 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $110 per participant

Participants are required to bring the following required safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • CSA approved steel toe boots
  • Non synthetic clothing, such as cotton, silk and wool
  • Full-length pants
  • Weather appropriate clothing, the workshop may take place outdoors
  • Prescription safety glass (If participants don’t own their own, FWHP will provide over glasses eye protection)
FWHP will provide participants with following required safety equipment for use during the workshop:
  • Safety glasses
  • Ear plugs
  • Leather gloves
  • Leather apron

Candle Luminaires

Tinsmith Artisan Workshop

In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will produce a contemporary, pierced tin candle shade. Participants will learn and develop basic tinsmithing skills, such as cutting, punching, bending, and seaming tinned plate.

This workshop will take place in indoors in the modern tinsmith shop.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 5 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $135 per participant

Participants are required to bring the following required safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • Full coverage, comfortable shoes
  • Full-length pants

FWHP will provide participants with following optional safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • Safety glasses
  • Ear plugs
  • Cut resistant gloves

Fire Steel Forging

Blacksmith Artisan Workshop

Participants will use basic forging skills and techniques of this age-old profession, learning how to heat treated steel to create a hand forged fire steel.

The workshop will take place either in the historic Armourer Shop or modern Blacksmith Shop. The historic Armourer Shop is a minimally heated building. Please bring layers and dress according to the outdoor temperatures.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 2 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $85 per participant

Participants are required to bring the following required safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • CSA approved steel toe boots
  • Non synthetic clothing, such as cotton, silk and wool
  • Full-length pants
  • Weather appropriate clothing, the workshop may take place outdoors
  • Prescription safety glass (If participants don’t own their own, FWHP will provide over glasses eye protection)

FWHP will provide participants with following required safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • Safety glasses
  • Ear plugs
  • Leather gloves
  • Leather apron

Moccasin Slippers

Indigenous Skills Artisan Workshop

Dtao Dome Night

In this 2-day workshop, participants will hand-sew their own pair of luxurious custom-made moccasin slippers trimmed with rabbit fur. Participants will also learn about traditional Anishinaabe (Ojibway) sewing tools and techniques and brain tanning versus modern tanning methods.

This workshop will take place in a modern facility on the historic site.

Availability: 2-day workshop, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 6 hours each day

Capacity: 6 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $175 per participant

Mukuk (Birch Bark Basket)

Indigenous Skills Artisan Workshop

Participants will learn basic techniques of basket-making using birch bark and spruce roots. The Anishinaabe (Ojibway) mukuk is both beautiful and versatile, and ideal for storage, display, or as a distinctive gift.

This workshop will take place in a modern facility on the historic site.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 5 hours

Capacity: 6 participants

Age requirement: 14+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $135 per participant

FWHP will provide participants with following optional safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • Cut resistant gloves

Snowshoe Weaving

Indigenous Skills Artisan Workshop

Dtao Dome Night

In this 2-day workshop, participants will learn about snowshoeing and traditional weaving techniques and weave their own pair of Anishinaabe (Ojibway) style snowshoes.

This workshop will take place in a modern facility on the historic site.

Availability: 2-day workshop, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 6 hours each day

Capacity: 4 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $300 per participant

Hearth Stool

Carpentry Artisan Workshop

In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn the basics of staked furniture design and construction to create their own wooden stool. A simple stool offers infinite options for customization and is a great way for beginners to learn the foundations of traditional furniture making. Participants will use a combination of traditional and modern tools, such as hand saws, drawknives and auger bits, to create their one-of-a-kind piece of furniture.

The workshop will take place either in the historic Carpenter Shop or historic Cooperage. Both buildings are minimally heated. Please bring layers and dress according to the outdoor temperatures.

Availability: Sunday only, 10 a.m.

Duration: 5 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $160 per participant

Participants are required to bring the following required safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • Full coverage, comfortable shoes
  • Full-length pants

FWHP will provide participants with following optional safety equipment for use during the workshop:

  • Safety glasses
  • Ear plugs
  • Cut resistant gloves

Wool Spinning and Dyeing

Heritage Fibre Arts Workshop

Participants will spin carded wool from Fort William Historical Park’s heritage sheep flock, turning it into beautiful, functional fibre, using wooden drop spindles. Afterwards, participants will learn how to dye wool using plants from the local environment and receive a pre-spun mini skein of yarn simmered in dye pots along with additional wool and a drop spindle to take home. Participants will also learn about the steps to turn raw sheep fleece into usable fibre, the science of wool fibre, a brief history on the domestication of sheep, and the global cultural significance of our reliance on animal fibres through the ages.

This workshop will take place in a modern facility on the historic site.

Availability: Saturday only, 10 a.m.

Duration: 3 hours

Capacity: 8 participants

Age requirement: 12+

Experience level: No previous experience required

Cost (+HST): $85 per participant

Visitor Information

Workshop Registration

  • Pre-registration for workshops is required.
  • Spaces are limited per workshop.
  • Participants will be required to sign a waiver at the start of the workshop.

What to Bring

Safety Equipment: Refer to the required safety equipment outlined in the associated workshop description.

Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.

Lunch: All workshops include a historic-themed lunch provided by Fort William Historical Park.

Getting Here

Car: Fort William Historical Park is located at 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay. Parking is free.

Bicycle: Cyclists are welcome. Bike racks are available to use free of charge.

Thunder Bay Transit: Fort William Historical Park is accessible by the 4 Neebing bus route; however this route does not run on weekends or holidays. Please visit the City of Thunder Bay Transit website for specific bus route information.

Boats & River Access: Boats cannot dock at events. There is no admissions entrance via the Kaministiquia River.

RVs: Camping is permitted at our campground with a reservation. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.