Frame by frame, the Timber Framers Guild
has been making the world a more beautiful place for four decades.
We invite you to join us in our anniversary year as we continue bringing educational programming in this skilled trade to communities across the continent and beyond. Whether you're just discovering timber framing or have been with the Guild from its founding, there's something for every fan of timber framing. If you love shaping timbers into mortise and tenon structures, opportunities abound in 2025 to pick up a chisel, join some friends, and help craft our collective future.
40 Frames for 40 Years
Through the Guild's "40 Frames for 40 Years" initiative, Guild members will build timber frames to share with their communities and nonprofits.
This member engagement effort fosters connections across the continent, introduced timber framing to future craftspeople, and fulfills the vision of enriching community through craft. Whether cut by two people or ten, these small frames will have a big impact as we make the world a more beautiful place and benefit organizations near and dear to our members' hearts. Check out our map of upcoming people-powered projects - we'd love to add your project to our lineup!
Learn more about the "40 for 40" HERE.
TimberFest 2025: Back to the Beginning
On a fine June weekend in 1985, the first Guild conference was held at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Founding members came together to celebrate timber framing and form a community that continues sharing knowledge, swapping stories, and building frames together 40 years later.
This year, we return to Hancock Shaker Village, on the same fine June weekend: we're going back to the beginning again. The planning for TimberFest 2025 is led by founding Guild member Jack Sobon, who has developed a program around the theme of "Then and Now." We celebrate our roots, honor and remember those who came before (send us your photos), and look to the future.
Learn more about TimberFest 2025 HERE.
Celebrating Across North America: 2025 Rendezvous Events
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Six Guild Rendezvous will be held across North America this year, starting in South Carolina with our Southeast Rendezvous in May and concluding with our Northeast Rendezvous in October.
Each Rendezvous reflects the interests of members in the region and offers unique programming, opportunities to engage with other fans of timber framing, pick up a chisel, learn something new, and share knowledge.
Check Out:
- Southeast Rendezvous
- Western Rendezvous
- Great Lakes Rendezvous
- New England Rendezvous I
- New England Rendezvous II
- Northeast Rendezvous
Celebrating a More Beautiful World: 2025 TFG Conference
The Guild will cap off a year of celebration with the 40th anniversary conference in Suquamish, Washington, from October 23–26. Located across the Agate Passage from Bainbridge Island, Suquamish offers many opportunities for stunning views of the Puget Sound and forays into the Olympic National Forest. You can also visit the 2006 Community Building Project, Nidoto Nai Yoni Japanese-American Memorial, only a 15-minute drive from the conference venue. We are privileged to be hosted on the land of the Suquamish People, who have occupied this special place since time immemorial.
Learn more about the 2025 Guild Conference HERE.
Thank you to our 40th Anniversary supporters!
Our goal for 2025 is to put a Guild event within reach of every member in North America - and you can help make that happen!
Support a "40 for 40" frame in your community, sponsor a Guild Rendezvous (or two!), help us celebrate our roots at Hancock Shaker Village, donate to bring great speakers and sessions to our conference in Suquamish, Washington - or all of the above!
