Open Shop time

Chase's Mill is very excited to provide open shop time for the community.
There is no charge for using the shop or tools; participants supply their own raw materials.

If you have attended a wood shop class or a Woodworking Shop Orientation session at Chase's Mill, you may drop in to use our tools and equipment during open shop time - Thursdays 6pm-8pm and Sundays 9am-noon from June 16 through September 1, except July 4 & July 7 (there will be no open shop time during the July 4th long weekend).

While Chase’s Mill maintains hand and power tools from the 19th century for education and demonstration, we also have everything you would hope to find in a 21st century woodworking shop.

New this year - the Lumber Bank. Need one more piece of wood? Want to make something small? Shop our by-donation Lumber Bank and get going right away.

Before using a power tool, Duane Case, our Woodworking Shop Steward, will give you a brief safety orientation to that machine. Duane is available during each open shop time to provide guidance, help with tools, and maintain our safety policies. Feeling shy about working on a self-directed project or rusty about your skills? Come in and make a simple project like a cutting board or a plant stand to get warmed up.

Youth ages 9+ are welcome to use hand tools during open shop time with an accompanying adult, and, after either completing a woodworking class at Chase's Mill or attending a one-hour Woodworking Shop Orientation, offered in 2024 on Saturday, June 15, Sunday, July 14, and Saturday, August 3.  

Contact Jill Hall jhall@chasesmill.org with questions.