A Letter From The Board
To Our Friends,
Hershel always believed that if you had work worth doing, you rolled up your sleeves and did it. That’s exactly what we’re doing.
The Board of Directors of the Hershel House & Woodbury School Foundation wants everyone to know that the work Hershel started is moving forward. We remain committed to caring for his homeplace, preserving the old ways, and teaching the skills he spent a lifetime keeping alive.
Our Board of Directors is:
Rick Brown – Acting President
Philip Hurley – Secretary
Ian Pratt
Alan Johnson
Stacy Brown
Jim Baribeau
Ron Prescott
Anna Greinetz
Chad Henle
Gary Ludwig
There have been questions about the state of the Woodbury School Foundation over the past few weeks. We understand that people care deeply about Hershel, his homeplace, and what he worked so hard to build. We do too.
We want everyone to know three things.
First, a situation occurred which required immediate action by the Board, and that action was taken after consulting with our lawyer. As we have previously stated, we will have nothing further to say about our actions until the legal process has run its course.” When the Board learned of the situation, it took immediate action to protect the integrity of the Foundation. We remain committed to providing a safe and welcoming place for everyone who comes here.
Second, Hershel’s vision isn’t changing. The Foundation exists to preserve the traditions Hershel loved and to pass them on to the next generation. We remain committed to that purpose and to making sure the Foundation and the homeplace are here for generations to come. Every decision we make is measured against that purpose
Third, the work goes on.
Classes are filling, new students are signing up, and old friends keep coming back. We have a full season ahead of us, and our 2027 schedule is already taking shape.
2027 Classes include: (see website for complete description – www.woodbury-school.com/edu)
Woodbury Knife Class — October 2-4, 2026
Traditional Whisk Broom Class — October 3, 2026
Traditional Cobwebb Broom Class — October 4, 2026
Bear Flintlock — October 28-November 1, 2026
Tomahawk Class — November 6-8, 2026
Woodbury Knife Class — April 9–11, 2027
White Oak Basket Class — April 8–11, 2027
Kibler Kit Workshop — May 17-22, 2027
Foxfire Flintlock Rifle Building Class — July 11-17, 2027
Kibler Kit Workshop — September 20-25, 2027
Woodbury Knife Class — October 1–3, 2027
More classes will be added as they are scheduled. Our complete and updated class schedule can always be found on our Education & Classes page.
Around the homeplace, the work hasn't stopped either. Cabins are being repaired, buildings are being cared for, improvements are moving forward, and volunteers continue showing up with willing hands. There is a lot to do, but that's nothing new around Hershel's place.
That's the way Hershel would have wanted it.
This place has never been about any one person. It's about sharing knowledge, lending a hand, and making sure these old skills don't disappear. It's about putting a young person beside an old hand and giving them the chance to learn something they might not be able to learn anywhere else.
To everyone who has taken a class, bought a raffle ticket, made a donation, volunteered, taught a student, or simply told a friend about what we're doing — thank you.
Your investment in Hershel's vision is safe, and your support continues to preserve what mattered most to him.
We hope you'll continue standing with us as we carry on the work Hershel devoted his life to.
We'll keep teaching.
We'll keep building.
We'll keep preserving.
That's the best way we know to honor Hershel.
With sincere appreciation,
The Board of Directors
Hershel House & Woodbury School Foundation