Too often in our society fathers tend to spend more time teaching their sons how to think in a so-called “handy” way. As instructor and owner of The Belvedere School, Bob Yapp says, “This is really unfortunate. In truth, when women are given the opportunity to learn this way of thinking, their skills almost always exceed men’s. Our goal for this class is not to discriminate against men, they’re just not invited.”
You will be a part of a team of women learning a variety of old house maintenance skills at the school’s headquarters, the historic Lamb-Munger Mansion in the Central Park National Historic District in Hannibal, Missouri. This is a tuition-based class with a limit of 8 students. You will be working side-by-side all two days with instructor Bob Yapp. Bob is nationally recognized as one of the top experts in hands-on preservation and has been involved in the restoration or rehabilitation of over 160 historic properties. He has taught women preservation construction skills at the high school, community college and university level for over 20 years.
This will be an intense, learn-by-doing opportunity. This class is designed to give you the hands-on skills needed to properly perform many of the basic maintenance any old or historic house needs. At a bare minimum you’ll know the quality standard to expect from others doing the work & what it should cost. Subjects include: tool identification; construction terminology; how to solder copper water pipes; fixing leaking pipes; installing a water shut-off; window repair; wiring a light fixture; repairing rotted wood; door hardware repair; and how to find a contractor you can actually work with. At the end of the two days you will know, with confidence, how do take better care of your old house and receive a "Certificate of Completion".
Beginners to moderately skilled women of all ages are encouraged to enroll. Professionals, homeowners, small contractors, preservation staff, preservation commission members, hp students, historic building owners and stay-home-moms will all benefit from this hands-on, traditional training event.
This is a hands-on workshop so you will be getting dirty. Tuition for this two-day workshop is $300 and includes beverages and lunch. Space is limited to eight students in each session and pre-registration is encouraged to retain a spot in the class. Inexpensive motels as well as bed & breakfast inns are available for out of town students. For more information or to pre-register call Bob Yapp, 217-474-6052 or yapperman@msn.com.
April 4 & 5 or May 2 & 3, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. 521 Bird Street, Hannibal, Missouri 63401