Great Woodshops: Country Workshops

This sylvan school offers a wide variety of classes in woodworking and more.
By Stuart Page
Pages: 58-59

From the June 2010 issue #183
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Country Workshops began when Drew Langsner and his wife, Louise, moved from California to the Smoky Mountains. On their farm, a 15-minute drive from the nearest tarmac, they’ve built a two-story cabin by hand, which took two years (and an infinite amount of patience) to build.

As I drive the path to the Langsner farm, I marvel at their beautiful buildings: the old tobacco drying barn used as a workshop and guest quarters; and Drew and Louise’s cabin farther up the hill, which looks out over the valley below. Nestled in the trees of the surrounding woodlan is a second guest lodge. And just when you think things can’t get better, you eat some of Louise’s home-cooked food (picked from the garden) and watch the sun set over the valley.

I stayed above the workshop in student accommodations, where it is pleasantly cool even in the summer heat. The rooms are Spartan but comfortable, with plenty of craft books for bedtime reading. I found myself diving into tomes about knife-making before falling asleep to the sounds of the forest.

If you’re looking for a five-star hotel, look elsewhere. But if you want simple comforts, healthy food in workingman’s portions, warm fires and good company then Country Workshops is what you’re looking for.

Web site: Contact Country Workshops.
Article: Read about Roy Underhill’s The Woodwright’s School.
Article: Discover John Wilson’s The Home Shop.
Article: Read about the College of the Redwoods.

From the June 2010 issue #183
Buy this issue now