Summer programs in historical tools and drawing basics to be offered at the Doak House Museum

The Doak House Museum at Tusculum will offer a “Tool School” and a series of basic drawing instruction workshops during the month of June.

“Tool School” will be offered five Thursdays in June, open to children ages 10-12.

Participants will complete woodworking projects like a tool tote and a box mentioned in the 1839 text, “The Joiner and Cabinet Maker.” The book was written for children and it describes the experiences of a young apprentice in England learning the trade while introducing several tools and techniques.

According to Dollie Boyd, director of the museums, participants in the class will read excerpts from that book and be given other historical source material. In addition to the two large projects there will be smaller projects along the way where students practice skills before starting on the larger project

Under the instruction of Dr. Peter Noll, assistant professor of history, students will learn about trees, wood, basic hand tools including mallets, hammers, saws, planes, squares, gauges and boring tools. Most of the tools the students will use are more than one hundred years old.

Space is limited for the class, sign up information can be had by calling the museum at 423-636-8554 or emailing dboyd@tusculum.edu. A class fee of $40 covers all materials for the five Thursday sessions in June. The program will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.

In the second program, participants may learn drawing basics at three Saturday classes offered by the Doak House Museum. Classes will run June 10, 17, and 24 from 9 a.m. to noon, cost for all three classes is $30, with all materials are included. This class is open to children ages 12 and up and adults of all ages.

“Drawing for art and designing involves a set of skills that can be learned,” said Boyd. “In these classes tried and true methods for drawing will be taught, as well as techniques for making drawing easier.”

Various media will be used such as pencil, charcoal, and inks.

Call 423-636-8554 or email dboyd@tusculum.edu to reserve a spot.