While the Low Technology Institute is not a folk school, many of its classes follow in that tradition. A folk school is a place people can go to learn preindustrial skills, from timber framing and woodworking to fiber arts and blacksmithing. The Wisconsin State Journal recently had an article about the resurgence of folk schools in the US and Wisconsin. In the last seven years, the number of organizations registered nationally with the Folk School Alliance has gone from 20 to 49. Wisconsin has six folk schools: Lost Creek Adventures, Severs School of Fiber Arts, The Clearing, Driftless, Folklore Village, and Shake Rag Alley.
Of course we are offering a few classes this fall — cordial making, walipini greenhouse building, and snowshoe building — and details can be found at our workshop page. Additionally, we’re always looking for instructors with skills to share to teach classes.