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FAQ’s

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Where are you located?

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft is located at 1865 Big Hill Road, Berea, Kentucky about 1 hour south of Lexington, Kentucky.  For those traveling in by air Lexington has a wonderful small airport, and Louisville and Cincinnati (both about 2 hours away) offer a wide range of flight options.

We will also run turning specific classes in Berea College’s Mueller Craft Building located at 100 Student Craft Court, Berea, Kentucky.  Berea is a small town and the main college campus sits just 2 miles to the west of the main Pine Croft location.

Hours?

Classes will generally run from 9am until 5pm with a catered lunch (included in your registration) served at about noon in the shop.  The shop will often be open early (7:30ish?) and stay open for students after teaching ends at 5.

What is your relationship to Berea College?

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft is a continuation of the College’s commitment to craft.  As a division of the Student Craft program (an integral part of Berea College since 1893) Pine Croft allows Berea College to promote craft and traditional culture beyond its student body while enriching the regions rich craft tradition with visiting guest instructors.

Why the name 'Pine Croft'?

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft is located on property originally developed by Anna Ernberg, Berea College’s Head of Weaving from 1911-1935.  Ms. Ernberg helped to lead Berea’s Student Industries to national prominence and her positive influence on Craft in the Appalachian region cannot be overstated.  The cottage that sits just north east of the School was built for Ms. Ernberg (and is now managed by our Boone Tavern Hotel and available for guests https://www.boonetavernhotel.com/accommodations/rooms/pine-croft-cottage ) was referred to by Ms. Ernberg as her ‘little Pine Croft in the woods”.

What is the registration and cancelation policy?

Registration:

  • Full Payment is due during registration.  We request students register online through Eventbrite.   Eventbrite has fees that are charged at the time of registration. These fees are included in the listed class price:

A Service Fee – 3.70% of class price +$1.79 per ticket

A Processing Fee – 2.90% of class price

  • Students who prefer to register and pay by check should reach out to Rob Spiece at spiecer@berea.edu.

Withdrawals and Refunds:

  • Students withdrawing more than 30 days before the start of a workshop will be refunded the full amount minus the charge of the Eventbrite Fees.  Between 30-15 days, students will be refunded 50% the cost of the class.  No refund will be given when the withdrawal occurs within 15 days of the class.
  • Contact Rob Spiece at spiecer@berea.edu should a situation arise that requires a withdrawal or transfer to a different workshop.

Questions?

Email Rob Spiece at spiecer@berea.edu or Katie Bister at bisterk1@berea.edu

Facility

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Our Facility

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft is housed in a timber frame structure designed/built by local woodworker Don Weber along with Kelly Mehler and located within the College’s 9000-acre forest.

This impressive two-story shop is nestled into the foothills of the Berea College forest. With large windows both up and down stairs that fill the rooms with natural light and views of the forest, it is the perfect spot to get away and do some woodworking. There is even a creek just behind the shop that brings some forest creatures to our doorstep.

Upstairs we have a benchroom fitted with 10 benches for students and instructors to work at. This is also where the majority of our hand tools are stored and used. Upstairs we also have a designated sharpening station as well as a small office/library room. When the weather is nice we set up tables outside to eat lunch but when its uncomfortably hot or raining we’ll eat lunches upstairs at the benches.

The downstairs machine room offers a full selection with offerings from Felder and Saw Stop and provides all the machining capability needed for our courses or the running of a small professional shop.

Although we have a few midi lathes at Pine Croft, our turning classes will take place at Berea College’s main campus within the Student Craft Woodcraft building.  Woodcraft’s recently constructed hand tool room contains 7 lathes and the required tools for all our projects.

About Berea College

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Berea College is distinctive among institutions of higher learning.  Founded in 1855 on the abolitionist principles of the Rev. John G. Fee, Berea was the first interracial and co-educational college in the South.  Teaching freed slaves and white students primarily from the Appalachian Mountains, Berea College discovered that its students could not afford to pay tuition or fees.  Therefore, Berea College stopped charging tuition in 1892, and continues that practice today.  Admission is granted only to students who demonstrate high academic promise in combination with limited economic means.

The College has an inclusive Christian character, expressed in its motto “God has made of one blood, all peoples of the Earth.”  Berea’s primary service window is the southern Appalachian region, but students attend from all 50 states, as well as from across the globe, providing a rich diversity of colors, cultures, and faiths.  About 40 percent of students represent an ethnic minority.

Berea College offers majors in thirty-four (34) fields of study, some offering multiple curricula that, upon successful completion, lead to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and/or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. In addition to their coursework, each student participates in the Student Labor Program, working a minimum of 10 hours per week in a variety of positions across all parts of the campus.

Berea

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Where to Eat & Stay in Berea

Where to eat in Berea:

Berea College Farm Store

(College grown organic groceries, hot meals, and baked goods)

Boone Tavern Restaurant

(Upscale Dining)

Apollo Pizza

(Pizza and Beer on Tap)

Frost Café

(Coffee and some Pastries)

Native Bagel

(Local Bagel and Coffee Shop)

Just Love Coffee

(Coffee and Breakfast Foods)

Papa Leno’s

(Pizza And Pasta)

South Slope Farm

(Once a Month Brick Oven Fired Pizza and Homemade Ice-cream)

Doña Maria’s Tamales

(Local Authentic Mexican Tacos and Tomales)

Night Jar

(Native Bagel at Night: Smash Burgers and Drinks)

Honeysuckle

(Upscale Southern Dining)

About Pine Croft

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The Woodworking School at Pine Croft

Berea College re-opened the former Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking in 2019 under the leadership of Berea College former Head of Woodcraft Andy Glenn as The Woodworking School at Pine Croft. Both Andy and Berea College are dedicated to preserving the fundamental character the school has been known for as we move the school into its next phase.  The Woodworking School at Pine Croft further supports Berea College’s 120-year commitment to the preservation and promotion of craft.

Our Mission

While in some ways woodworking is an individual pursuit, there are common traits that connect across makers: a desire to expand our skills, furnish our homes, surround ourselves with the handmade, and join a community of dedicated craftspeople. We believe that craft can both preserve traditions and beauty – and that craft can act as a counterbalance to a disposable and consumer-reliant world. Making is essential to us. We are excited to share a place where students can grow in their skills and fulfill their creative pursuits. Providing opportunities to work with leading instructors who come from diverse backgrounds and have different woodworking perspectives. All are welcome to attend.

Home

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Foundations of Quilt Making

October 4 - 5, 2025 with Erin Miller

 

Double Doozie with Kimberly Winkle and Hunter Elliott

October 13 - 17, 2025

 

People Collection Rocker

September 22 - 27, 2025 with Rob Spiece and Katie Bister

 

Kentucky Spirits Cabinet

November 17 - 22, 2025 with Rob Spiece

 

Build a Pair of People Collection Stools

September 4 - 7, 2025 with Rob Spiece and Katie Bister

 

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft

Strengthening Berea College's Commitment to Craft

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CoursesLooking Forward to 2025
January 15, 2025

Looking Forward to 2025

Friends of Pine Croft, Can you believe we are three weeks into the new year already? It feels like time is flying here in snowy Berea, KY. I want to…
Pinecroft!Front Page PostNew Beginnings at Pine Croft
June 21, 2023

New Beginnings at Pine Croft

The news of the month is that I’m stepping away as the head of Pine Croft. There’s nothing bitter about any of it... only sweetness. As many of you know,…
decommissionFront Page PostUpcoming at Pine Croft
November 18, 2022

Upcoming at Pine Croft

More to come with the late summer and fall classes in the next few days, as more details come in and the full picture takes place, yet the full schedule…