Renowned builder and author, Charles “Mac” McRaven is holding a workshop in West Virginia. A local woman, Whitney Robinson, is inviting people to come and be a part of building her family’s new home. The workshop will take place on the Robinson farm in Peterstown, West Virginia. The workshop, taught by McRaven will be a part of this effort.
According to McRaven’s website, he has been building with “stone, log and post & beam since he was 11 years old.” He even helped his parents build their family home in the 1940s. McRaven’s work has taken him all across the country.
Not only does he build new structures, but he also does restoration work on existing homes. This, along with his extensive writings has gained him recognition as “America’s leading authority on the preservation of the nation’s structural history.”
McRaven has written five books on the subject of American building techniques and pioneer skills. These titles include The Stone Primer, The Classic Hewn Log House, Stonework, Building with Stone and The Blacksmith’s Craft. In addition to writing books, McRaven also writes for several magazines including Fine Homebuilding and Country Journal.
The workshop McRaven is holding in Peterstown is all about building a hewn log cabin. Participants will practice cutting dovetail corner notches, raising logs, and hew logs with multiple tools, including an ax. Other skills include peeling bark with drawknives and moving logs. The workshop begins on June 14 and lasts through June 18.
According to Robinson, the cost to attend this workshop is $600 for a single person or $1,000 for two. This covers the fee to attend and includes a place directly on the farm to camp. Robinson states that RV’s are welcome and bedding and a tent can be supplied to anyone flying to the area. Three meals per day, as well as snacks and drinks, will also be provided.
Robinson also says that there will be an “evening fire each night to relax and talk around as well as fishing on our pond.” She goes on to note that while fishing is allowed on the pond, it is catch-and-release only.
On Thursday evening during the workshop, there will be a BBQ. This includes a live bluegrass band as well as a hatchet-throwing competition and pioneer storytelling among other activities.
Robinson assures that all CDC standards will be closely followed during this workshop.
Spots are limited for this event. Anyone who wishes to register or obtain more information, contact Robinson on Facebook Messenger at Whitney Jordan Robinson or contact McRaven through his website www.charlesmcraven.com.
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