TimberFest 2026
Join us August 20-23 and enjoy some timber framing, camping, fishing, and Guild magic!
TimberFest 2026 brings the Timber Framers Guild back to the Griswold Scout Reservation in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, August 20–23, for a weekend of hands-on timber framing, learning, camping, fellowship, and Guild magic. Set in a beautiful location with room to gather, build, swim, fish, walk in the woods, and sit around a campfire, TimberFest is both a working event and a community gathering. Whether you are a longtime timber framer, an engineer, a preservationist, a student, a family member, or simply timber-frame curious, there will be meaningful ways to participate.
TimberFest Build Workshop
In this 16-hour hands-on course, participants will learn to cut traditional mortise and tenon joinery and assemble it into a small covered bridge modeled on historical designs. The bridge features a kingpost truss, a form which is found in both historic bridges and meeting houses. Ariel Burns, Sarah Highland, and Liz Johndrow lead the weekend build.
TimberFest “Plus”
This year’s event brings several Guild passions together in one place. Alongside the TimberFest frame project, we will have programming from the Traditional Timberframe Research & Advisory Group (TTRAG) and the Timber Frame Engineering Council (TFEC), which will overlap and intertwine. This educational track will include technical talks, historic building research, engineering sessions, timber grading, discussions of trades education, bridge and barn presentations, a woods walk, and shared conversations about the past, present, and future of timber framing. You can check out the schedule HERE.
TimberFest is also a social and family-friendly gathering. In addition to the scheduled talks and hands-on work, attendees can look forward to shared meals, the TFG member meeting, evening campfire music, an auction, kids’ activities, and time to reconnect with friends old and new.
Registration scholarships are available for those for whom cost is a barrier, and sponsorship opportunities are open for those who want to help make the event more accessible and successful.
TimberFest 2026 is an opportunity to move between the “shop,” the lecture room, the forest, and the campfire – all in a single weekend. Join us!
Train-the-Trainer Program
Are you a current or future instructor at a Guild Community Building Project, workshop, or event? Sign up for the Guild's new Train the Trainer Program, focused on giving instructors additional tools and resources to teach adult learners as they pursue their timber framing journey.
Funded in part by a grant from the Historic Preservation Education Foundation, the curriculum covers safe work practice and the tenets of timber frame instruction, which many Guild members have experience teaching, but also units on teaching adult learners, building connections, approaches to constructive and productive feedback, and more.
Join us on Wednesday, August 19, beginning at 1 p.m. On Wednesday, we will introduce the program and work through modules 1 and 2. On Thursday morning, we will continue with module 3, concluding in time for lunch. Learn more about the program and the modules HERE.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Help us bring more people to this event! We invite sponsors to join us in bringing these invaluable community events to life. Our sponsors are recognized across our social media, on our website, and in event outreach and materials. Whether you donate materials, space, or meals, or support these events financially, your contribution is deeply appreciated by the members volunteering their time to develop these Guild events. LEARN MORE HERE.
Scholarship Opportunities
Would you like to join us for TimberFest 2026 but find the cost a barrier to participation? We have limited registration scholarships available and invite you to apply! Contact us for more information or with any questions at info@tfguild.org.
Notes on Camping and Site Logistics
Camping at the TimberFest:
We have the run of the place, and if you want to pop a tent anywhere, you can. If you are bringing a camper/RV, great. The cabins each have a bathroom in them. There are showerhouses/ bathrooms around. The tent platforms have canvas tents and 2 cots each. Any of these options will require a sleeping bag and pillow, and bring a towel. We're hoping to assign some of the folks traveling by plane to the cabins/ tent platforms to reduce the luggage required for them. If you have communicated with Gretchen previously, also go ahead and fill out this form.
TimberFest Logistics--Fill out form here!
Event Sponsors
Thank You To Our Visionary Partners
