The Castle — exterior, autumn
◆Eastford, Connecticut◆Est. 1791

The Castle Workshops

Three days of traditional building craft, taught by hand within an eighteenth-century New England house.

Reserve Your Place Explore the Tracks Next Workshops Spring 2027
3
Days of instruction
3
Hands-on tracks
8–12
Seats per track
1791
The Castle, built
◆   An Invitation   ◆

Historic buildings are among our greatest teachers. Every timber bears the mark of a craftsperson's hand; every plaster wall and window sash tells the story of those who built and lived within these places. Yet the skills to care for them are increasingly rare. The Castle Workshops were established to change that.

Hosted by Brouns Galloway Hayward at the Benjamin Bosworth House — known locally as The Castle — participants work alongside preservation professionals and skilled tradespeople, learning not only how historic materials were used, but why they have endured.

The Event

An immersive study in a house that is both classroom and teacher

Held at The Castle — a late eighteenth-century former Masonic Lodge set in Connecticut's bucolic Quiet Corner — this three-day program pairs expert-led instruction with extensive hands-on practice. Its remarkably intact historic fabric and generous indoor and outdoor work areas create an ideal environment for learning.

Participants register for one of three tracks, each running continuously across the full three days for in-depth skill development under experienced practitioners. More than a training program, the Workshops are a gathering place for those who value craftsmanship, stewardship, and the continuity of traditional knowledge.

The Castle parlor / interior woodwork
Choose Your Path

Three Hands-on Tracks

Each track runs continuously throughout all three days. Register for the one that best matches your experience and ambitions.

Historic flooring / joinery
I Conservation Studio I

Flooring & Historic Woodworking

Led by Vincent Reed

Learn from renowned English joiner Vincent Reed as he leads participants through the restoration and conservation of historic flooring and decorative woodwork within The Castle's remarkably intact interior and Masonic Lodge. Combining traditional craftsmanship with practical preservation, you'll explore the repair, restoration, and stewardship of historic interior finishes.

Floor conservation Joinery repair Period finishes
Decorative painting / stencil work
II Conservation Studio II

Decorative Painting & Stenciling

Led by Maeve Woolley

Work alongside master decorative paint conservator Maeve Woolley as original schemes uncovered within The Castle are studied, recreated, and returned to life. Learn traditional distemper painting over lime plaster and help recreate historic stencil designs in the original parlor.

Distemper painting Lime plaster Historic stencils
Window sash restoration
III Foundation Workshop

Historic Window Restoration

Led by Tera Hayward

Discover why historic windows are among the most important character-defining features of traditional buildings, and learn the practical skills to conserve them. Designed for beginners, this workshop guides you through assessment, sash removal, glazing, wood repairs, and linseed-oil finishing.

Sash restoration Glazing Linseed oil paint
Included Bonus Lecture

Identifying Historic Glazing

A discussion and demonstration led by Michiel Brouns

In addition, Michiel Brouns will lead a session on the identification and conservation of historic window glass. Participants will learn to distinguish between different types of historic glazing, understand their manufacturing processes, and recognize the visual characteristics that help establish the age and evolution of a building. This session will provide valuable insight into why historic glass should be preserved whenever possible and how it contributes to the character, authenticity, and historical record of traditional buildings.

TBD
per participant
Beginner-friendly · 12 seats Sign Up
Daily Itinerary

Three Days at The Castle

Day One — Arrival & Foundations
8:30
Registration & continental breakfast
Pastries, fresh fruit, coffee & tea beneath the tent
9:00
Welcome, orientation & tour of The Castle
Meet your instructors and fellow participants
9:45
Tracks begin — assessment & introduction
Survey the historic fabric and set the week’s goals
12:30
Catered lunch
Shared meal under the tent
1:30
Afternoon session — foundational techniques
Guided hands-on practice within your track
4:30
Wrap-up & reflections
Day one review with instructors
Day Two — Core Practice & Cocktail Hour
8:30
Continental breakfast
Under the tent
9:00
Tracks resume — core hands-on work
The heart of each studio’s practical work
12:30
Catered lunch
Shared meal under the tent
1:30
Afternoon session — advanced practice
Deeper skill development on the building itself
5:00
Sessions conclude
Clean-up and preparation
6:00
Complimentary cocktail hour
Beverages & hors d’oeuvres with the preservation community
Day Three — Completion & Farewell
8:30
Continental breakfast
Under the tent
9:00
Final track work — completion & finishing
Bringing the weekend’s work to a close
12:30
Farewell lunch
A last shared meal together
1:30
Group walk-through of completed work
Tour every track’s contributions to The Castle
3:00
Closing remarks & certificates
Recognition of participation
3:30
Departures
Safe travels home
Hospitality

What's included

Every registration includes meals, materials, and the company of a warm preservation community. We want you focused on the craft — we'll take care of the rest.

The Castle Workshops — Eastford, Connecticut
Continental Breakfast
Pastries, fresh fruit, coffee & tea each morning.
Catered Lunch Daily
A hot meal served under the tent each afternoon.
Gathering Tent
Tables and chairs for meals, conversation & discussion.
Tools & Materials
All materials for your track are provided on site.
Parking & Facilities
On-site parking and restrooms throughout the event.
Certificate
A certificate of participation to take home.
✦
Saturday Evening Cocktail Hour

Following Saturday's sessions, join instructors and fellow participants for a complimentary cocktail hour — beverages and light hors d'oeuvres shared beneath the tent in a relaxed, convivial setting.

Your Instructors

Taught by practitioners

Portrait — Vincent Reed

Vincent Reed

Conservator · Studio I

An internationally respected conservator of historic timber and interior finishes, Vincent brings decades of hands-on experience repairing floors and joinery in significant period buildings on both sides of the Atlantic.

Portrait — Maeve Woolley

Maeve Woolley

Paint Conservator · Studio II

A master decorative paint conservator, Maeve specialises in the analysis and recreation of historic distemper and stencil schemes, returning long-hidden decorative work to life using traditional materials and methods.

Portrait — Tera Hayward

Tera Hayward

Historic Window Conservator

A preservation professional and partner at Brouns Galloway Hayward, Tera bridges hands-on practice with preservation policy, guiding window and building conservation with a standards-based, authenticity-first approach.

Portrait — Michiel Brouns

Michiel Brouns

Traditional Materials Authority · Historic Building Surveyor

A preservation professional, entrepreneur, and internationally recognized authority on traditional building materials. Originally trained as a historic building surveyor in the Netherlands, he has dedicated his career to conserving architectural heritage through authentic, sustainable materials.

Restoration at The Castle
The Castle in New England snow
Architectural History

The story of "The Castle"

Squire Benjamin Bosworth acquired the site in 1791, incorporating portions of an earlier dwelling into a comprehensive rebuilding that, by 1799–1800, took on the refined form recognizable today. In the winter of 1800 the house hosted the first Masons meeting in the area — giving rise to its identity as both Mansion House and Masonic Lodge.

It features the earliest monitor roof in Connecticut, and its Parlor holds some of the region's most impressive period woodwork — carved over an entire winter by local housewright Vinni Goodell. From the 1830s to the 1860s, its "Boardroom" served the town as the local Post Office for more than thirty years.

Earliest monitor roof in Connecticut
Original Masonic Lodge room, benches in situ
Punch-and-gouge parlor woodwork
Early Rumford-style fireplaces
Getting There & Staying

Travel & Lodging

By Air
Bradley Int’l (BDL)
About 45 minutes away near Hartford. Boston Logan (BOS) and T.F. Green (PVD) are each roughly 1.5 hours by car.
By Car
Connecticut’s Quiet Corner
The Castle sits in Eastford, off Route 44 in the northeast corner of the state. Free on-site parking is provided.
Lodging
Local Connecticut Lodging
Historic inns, hotels, and B&Bs nearby will be provided in your confirmation email.
What to Bring
Come Ready to Work
Sturdy clothing you don’t mind marking, closed-toe shoes, and a water bottle. Specialist tools are provided.
Weather
New England
Crisp days and cool evenings. Work happens indoors and under cover, but dress in layers for comfort.
Accessibility
We’re Here to Help
The Castle is a historic building with uneven surfaces. Contact us in advance and we’ll do our best to accommodate needs.

The Castle is located in Eastford, Connecticut. On-site parking and restroom facilities are available throughout the event.

Registration

Reserve your place

Seats are strictly limited each track to preserve close, hands-on instruction. Every tier includes breakfast, lunch, materials, and Saturday's cocktail hour.

Conservation Studio I

Flooring & HistoricWoodworking

Vincent Reed
TBD
3 full days · 10 seats
✦Hands-on floor & joinery conservation
✦Period construction methods
✦Tools & materials provided
✦All meals + cocktail hour
Sign Up Here
Conservation Studio II

Decorative Painting& Stenciling

Maeve Woolley
TBD
3 full days · 8 seats
✦Distemper painting on lime plaster
✦Recreate historic stencils in the parlor
✦Pigments & materials provided
✦All meals + cocktail hour
Sign Up Here
Foundation Workshop

Historic WindowRestoration

Tera Hayward
TBD
3 full days · 12 seats
✦Full sash restoration cycle
✦Glazing & weatherproofing
✦Linseed oil finishing
✦All meals + cocktail hour
Sign Up Here

Registering a group or have questions before you commit? Email us.

Cancellation Policy

Workshop registrations are limited, and each booking reserves a place that cannot easily be filled at short notice.

More than 30 days before the workshop
Cancellations are eligible for a refund less a 20% administrative fee.
Within 30 days of the workshop
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Transfers
If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person at no additional charge. Please notify us of the substitute attendee's details before the workshop begins.
No credits
Registration fees cannot be applied as credit toward future workshops or events.

By completing your registration, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our Terms & Conditions, Cancellation Policy, and Participant Waiver. Additional workshop information and any required forms will be provided before the event.

Questions

Frequently Asked

Homeowners, tradespeople, preservation professionals, students, and enthusiasts are all welcome. Each track notes its recommended experience level — the Foundation Workshop is ideal for beginners, while Conservation Studio I benefits from prior carpentry experience.

No. All specialist tools and materials for your chosen track are provided on site. We recommend bringing sturdy work clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a water bottle.

Each track runs continuously across all three days to allow for genuine depth, so participants remain in their registered track throughout. Choose the one that best matches your goals — or email us if you’re unsure which fits.

A continental breakfast each morning and a catered lunch each afternoon are included, served under the gathering tent. A complimentary cocktail hour follows Saturday’s sessions.

Lodging is not included. Historic inns, hotels, and B&Bs nearby will be provided in your confirmation email.

Cancellations more than 30 days before the workshop are eligible for a refund less a 20% administrative fee; within 30 days, fees are non-refundable. You may transfer your place to another person at no charge — see the full policy in the Registration section above.

The Community

Previous Workshops at The Castle

Lime plaster training
Decorative paint course
Lath & plaster work
Paint stripping
Interior painting
Group in the parlor
✦

Preserve the building — and the knowledge that keeps it standing.

Join us TBD, in Eastford, Connecticut.

Reserve Your Place