Artisan Workshop Weekend

December 5-6, 2026

Registration opens November 2, 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:

• Blacksmithing basics

• Candle luminary

• Fire steel forging

• Introduction to chairmaking

• Mukuk (birch bark basket)

• Ropework Tree Ornaments

• Snowshoe Weaving

• Wool spinning and dyeing

All workshops include instruction, tools, materials, and a historic-themed lunch.

No previous experience in the artisan skills is necessary to participate in these workshops; however, all workshops require a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort. Age requirements are noted for each particular workshop. Workshop lengths may vary as participants process through their project at their own pace.

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 in the Modern Blacksmith Shop.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 3 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

Cost (+HST): $110 per participant

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

CSA approved steel toe boots
Non-synthetic clothing, such as cotton, silk and wool
Full-length pantsPrescription safety glasses (If participants don’t own their own, FWHP will provide over-glasses eye protection)

FWHP will provide participants with the 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 indoors in the modern tinsmith shop.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 3 to 5 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

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 the 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 hand forge a fire steel.

The workshop will take place in the modern Blacksmith Shop.

Availability: Saturday or Sunday, 2 p.m.

Duration: 2 hours

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

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
Prescription safety glass (If participants don’t own their own, FWHP will provide over glasses eye protection)

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

Safety glasses
Ear plugs
Leather gloves
Leather apron

Introduction to Chairmaking

Carpentry Artisan Workshop

Learn the basics of traditional chairmaking while creating your very own side chair! Participants will use both traditional and modern tools like drawknives, hand planes, chisels and power drills to build a unique piece of functional wooden furniture. The workshop will cover basic chair design, layout, wood selection, joinery and finishing.

The workshop will take place in the modern Mill Shop.

Availability: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: Two-day workshop

Capacity: 4 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

Cost (+HST): $225 per participant

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

CSA approved steel toe boots
Full-length pants

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

Safety glasses
Ear plugs
Cut resistant gloves

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: Sunday only, 10 a.m.

Duration: 5 hours

Capacity: 6 participants

Age requirement: 14+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

Cost (+HST): $135 per participant

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

Cut resistant gloves

Ropework Tree Ornaments

Heritage Fiber Arts Workshop

Master the sailor’s art of ropework with ropework tree ornaments. Using traditional hemp rope and age-old techniques, participants will craft festive tree ornaments while learning skills once vital aboard sailing vessels.

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

Availability: Saturday, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. / Sunday, 10 a.m.

Duration: 2 hours

Capacity: 6 participants per workshop

Age requirement: 12+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

Cost (+HST): $85 per participant

Snowshoe Weaving

Indigenous Skills Artisan Workshop

In this two-day workshop, participants weave their own pair of Anishinaabe style snowshoes using traditional weaving techniques and materials.

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

Availability: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Duration: Two-day workshop

Capacity: 2 participants

Age requirement: 16+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

Cost (+HST): $300 per participant

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: 10 participants

Age requirement: 12+

Experience level: No previous experience required. This workshop requires a certain level of visual acuity, hand dexterity and physical effort.

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.

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

RVs: The campground is closed for the season. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.

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.

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.