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The Heritage School at Trinidad State

Heritage School logo image
SOUTHERN COLORADO FEATURES A RICH HERITAGE, WITH PIONEER SPIRIT AND INGENUITY!

At The Heritage School at Trinidad State we promote and preserve traditional knowledge, skills, technologies, crafts and art forms of the past and apply them to modern life. If you’ve ever wondered how cheese is made, marveled at the skill of a blacksmith or felt the creative urge to work with leather, raise bees or make soap, we’ll have something for you. Join us as we bridge the gap between functional crafts and creative arts, hands-on learning and fun. We’ll invite neighbors to pass along skills that might otherwise be lost, as well as experts and instructors from afar to share their knowledge.

BASIC BLADESMITHING
Heritage imageThis class will cover the forging and grinding of both full and hidden tang blades to shape. We will cover steel selection, tool considerations, different forging approaches, several heat treating techniques, and basic finishing techniques.
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BLACK POWDER
Black Powder Guns imageWhen it comes to the topic of black powder ("BP") firearms, opinions tend to be significantly varied. Most folks who have never fired one tend to consider them to be not just obsolete but entirely unnecessary: smokeless firearms are cleaner, less stinky and overall what a modern shooter would prefer; those who have observed others using BP firearms often agree.
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DAMASCUS BILLET MAKING
Billet Making imageThis class is a hands on class for the students. This class will be focused on the making of Damascus (pattern welded) steel for use in gun hardware and knife blades. Each student should finish the class with at least one billet of Damascus steel to take home.
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GUN LEATHER
Leather image
Coming soon...
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HATMAKING
Hatmaking imageStudents will learn to use the equipment and techniques to make a hat with products that most people have or can readily get from home. Students will learn how to shape the hat by hand, ironing of the brim, sizing and hand cutting of the brim, hand pouncing and hand finishing the crown. If time allows, the class may touch on hat binding and trim by hand. Students will leave class with a completed hat and the skills needed to practice what they learned at home and make additional hats with supplies they have on hand. Tom will provide a hat box with all the tools and materials needed for each student.
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KNIFEMAKING - BASIC STOCK REMOVAL
Knifemaking imageThis basic Knifemaking course will cover knife design, handle materials, soldering, steels, heat treatment, polishing, and sharpening. One knife and sheath will be made in the class. 
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GUN LEATHER I - HOLSTER
Leather Holster imageThis class was created to teach students how to construct quality gun leather using methods and techniques requiring a minimum number of leather tools. Since the work is by hand (no sewing machines, etc.) reasonable hand strength and dexterity is necessary for class participation. 
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GUN LEATHER II - WESTERN & COWBOY
Western and Cowbot Leather imageGun leather II was created to expand methods and techniques learned by students in Basic Holster making. The course will take students to the next level of gun leather construction and will include an emphasis on Western and Cowboy leather techniques. Students will review principles learned in Basic Holster making with emphasis on development of a gun belt, holster, and associated leather for a complete gun rig. The remainder of the class will give students the latitude to develop projects of their choice associated with guns, knives, and cartridge retention. Students will be required to provide their own firearms and knives for project development.
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MOSAICS

Stained Glass imageLearn the art of Mosaics with this class using stained glass scraps in picture frames. Design your own pattern or work with one provided to you. Your 8x10 finished piece will be suitable to hang in a window.
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STAINED GLASS

Stained Glass imageLearn the Tiffany method of stained glass and complete a piece ready to hang within the week. Quick learners may complete more than one piece!
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THE SMALL ARMS OF THE WORLD WARS
Small Arls Gunsmithing imageWhen it comes to the topic of preserving vintage firearms (including those used in combat in both WWI and WWII), opinions tend to be highly polarized. There are generally two schools of thought.
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VINTAGE FIREARMS CONSERVATION
Vintage Firearms imageStudents will be introduced to the primary mainstream infantry rifles common during the 100+ year "glory" of the British Empire, including the "Brown Bess", a .70 caliber flint-lock, black powder ("BP"), smooth-bore, muzzle loader (circa 1800), the Enfield Pattern 53 ("P53"), a .577 caliber percussion cap, BP, rifled muzzle loader (circa 1856), and many, many more.
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WEAVING
Weaving imageThis course is an introduction to weaving. You will become familiar with the workings of a loom. A touch of social and historic context will precede a hands-on opportunity to design a small project, warp it, dress the loom with it, and begin weaving. Each student should be able to complete the project during the course and leave with a project or two (a belt) and the confidence and knowledge to move on to larger projects. 
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