Most of the Schools listed on this page offer 1-5 classes per year. While some are for-profit companies and others are non-profit institutions, the course fees at both are often comparable: about $1,000 for a one-week class on timber framing. Some of the schools offer a broad range of classes, and the timber-framing program is just one segment of their offerings. Some, but not all, hire Guild members as instructors.
In terms of class offerings, one of the larger programs is the New Hampshire-based Heartwood School, which offers about two dozen classes per year on timber framing as well as aspects of sustainable construction, design, and historic preservation. In operation for more than 40 years, this school was purchased by the Guild in 2019. It has alumni in just about every state and province in the US and Canada as well as in many other countries.
As an alternative to in-person classes, the Guild also has numerous online resources available to those interested in timber framing. The guild also offers more advanced training through our Community Building Projects, those who are employed at a timber-framing company may be able to participate in our Apprenticeship Program. Also note that some of the schools listed below offer internships and apprenticeships.
- Avon Hills Folk School (Avon, MN)
- College of the Rockies (Cranbrook, BC)
- Driftless Folk School (Viroqua, WI)
- EcoNest School of Natural Building (Ashland, OR)
- Heartwood School (Alstead, NH)
- Island School of Building Arts (Gabriola Island, BC)
- John C. Campbell Folk School (Brasstown, NC)
- North Bennett Street School (Boston, MA)
- North House Folk School (Grand Marais, MN)
- Perth Campus and Heritage Institute - Algonquin College (Perth, ON)
- Pine Mountain Settlement School (Pine Mountain, KY)
- Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (Adrian, MI)
- School of Practical Stereotomy (Ottowa, ON)
- State University of New York at Delhi (Delhi, Ny)
- The American College of the Building Arts (Charleston, SC)
- Tillers International (Scotts, MI)
- Yestermorrow Design/Build School (Waitsfield, VT)
This is a partial listing of the many accredited institutions and the more informal educational programs that provide training and guidance to those interested in learning about timber framing. We do not formally endorse any of the above programs.
