Experience Historic Eastfield
Historic Eastfield is not a museum, but rather an immersive “village” boasting more than twenty preserved historic buildings, each housing a trove of fascinating historical tools and artifacts integral to the variety of workshops focusing on pre-industrial American trades, crafts, and preservation techniques.
Expert Training
Hands-on Learning
Historical Stays
Expert Training
For over 40 years, we have organized workshops and symposia in the traditional trades and domestic arts. Our goal has been to develop an exceptional curriculum and maintain the highest educational standards, bringing you gifted instructors who are leaders in their field and are eager to share their vast expertise and knowledge.
Hands on Learning
Our workshops typically span 2 to 5 days, allowing ample time to fully immerse yourself in hands-on learning using historical tools and traditional methods. To enhance the experience, participants have the option to reside in the Village's charming historic accommodations at no additional cost, further enriching their time with us.
Historical Stays
Eastfield offers FREE of Charge tavern lodging for workshop attendees in the style of the early 1800s. Visitors have the opportunity to partake in spirited social gatherings at Briggs Tavern on most nights. This authentic setting fosters connections with fellow enthusiasts and provides insight into the routines of pre-industrial American life.
Meals may be cooked in the open-hearth kitchens.
Accommodations are rope beds with straw and feather ticks with outhouses and porta-johns as sanitary facilities.
The only requirement is that each person supply his/her own bedding and (10) ten-inch white candles.
Some of Historic Eastfield’s Buildings
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The (Old) Yellow Tavern
The Tavern was one of Don Carpentier’s first building projects. It is composed of old building parts and made to look similar to the van der Heyden House in Troy, NY.
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Brown’s General Store
Built in Minaville, NY. A brick wing was added to the original structure in 1815, and the store was tended by five generations of Browns. It also doubled as a local post office, before being moved to Eastfield and reconstructed there between 1991 and 1994.
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The William Briggs Tavern
Originally constructed in 1793, has 13 rooms, including a second story ball room with a vaulted ceiling. It is a lovely example of the architectural details of the time, including a pair of matched palladium windows in a 72-foot façade. The Tavern began its varied history in Hoosick, NY and was moved to Eastfield in 1984.
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The First Universalist Church of Duanesburg
Moved to Eastfield in 1982, and obtained for a bargain price of 1,000 dollars, not including a little extra for the belfry. Construction began by William Kellog in the town of Braman’s Corners, NY in 1836, was completed in 1838, and the church remained in use until the 1880’s.
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The Blacksmith Shop
This building (circa 1849) started out in South Schodack, NY. It was being used as a farm shop and chicken coop when it was offered to Don in 1971. It was the very first building dismantled and moved to Eastfield.
What past students are saying
"A wonderful foundation that preserves by education and hands on classes handcraft skills that our ancestors just knew and we would have lost without this organization that has basically trained museum professionals as well as craft and trades people across the country and around the world!"— Amy Zimmerman McCoy
"I attended a week-long workshop in tinsmithing in August 2015, taught by Bill McMillan. It was truly a transformational experience. Being able to stay at Historic Eastfield Village during the workshop was a delight and enhanced the work I did there immeasurably. If you get a chance to visit Historic Eastfield Village for an event or workshop, don't pass it up!"- Karl Schmidt
"A fantastic place--I recently took a 3-day blacksmithing class with Olof Jansson, and it was just a lot of fun. Staying at the old inn with no electricity or plumbing, cooking on the kitchen hearth, playing dominoes--highly recommended!"- Andrew Sistrand
"I loved every minute of my timber framing workshop. The instructor is a world's leading expert in the field and worked on many historic buildings I've visited. I can't believe I got to work with him!"- Nick Raposo
