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Our logo is your symbol for the best timer framing school and training in New Hampshire.

ABOUT US

we've recently relocated

 to a new campus!
299 Pratt Road, Alstead, New Hampshire

HISTORY

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING THE BUILDING ARTS SINCE 1978

In December 2019, the Timber Framers Guild purchased the Heartwood School (established in 1978) from Will and Michele Beemer. Through their many long years of stewardship, the Beemers created an institution in the timber framing community. Dedicated to craft and to excellence in teaching the building arts, they brought their skill, intelligence, generosity of spirit, and a commitment to improving the quality life and people's lives through the built environment, sharing it with Heartwood students young and old, from all walks of life.

 

Over four decades, Heartwood has taught thousands of students about timber framing and other building arts, leaving an indelible mark not only on the students but on timber framing as well. Over the same years, the Beemers have played a seminal role in the establishment and success of the Timber Framers Guild and the revival of timber framing in North America, thereby touching the lives of thousands of people in our extended community.

MISSION


Robust, Student-Centered Education and Training


The Guild has been entrusted by the Beemers with the continuation of their life's work and legacy. The Guild is committed to robust, student-centered education and training in the inspiring, forested environment of the Heartwood School - a personality in its own right. Executive Director Neil Godden and the Heartwood team have developed course offerings that will build excellence in craft, all taught by masters, including Jack Sobon, Patrick Moore, and many others.


Whether an experienced builder wishing to expand their skills and deepen their understanding and design and construction or someone just starting in their pursuit of these skills, Heartwood offers the depth and breadth of classes to meet students' needs.


VALUES


Connecting Minds, Eyes, and Hands



Our students and instructors share a common goal of connecting minds, eyes, and hands in seamless harmony to craft beautiful objects, large and small, with which to enrich their lives and communities. This commitment to becoming an active creator in the environment expresses care for the life that will happen within it, and is the same spirit referred to by poet Gary Snyder when he advised in his book Turtle Island, "find your place on the planet and dig in."


Heartwood continues to be the place for people to gather and discover the tools to do just that.


STAFF

NEIL GODDEN

Executive Director


Neil Godden has been Executive Director and Operations Manager of the Heartwood School since 2021, and served as Program Director before that. Neil received his Civil Engineering degree from the University at Buffalo in 1996. Soon after, he completed an apprenticeship under master builder Jack Sobon and he has been in love with the craft ever since. He has been a timber frame contractor in Western Massachusetts since 2000, and he has been teaching Timber Framing at Heartwood since 2005. 


He enjoys sharing his knowledge and techniques for this time-tested craft, specializing in building traditional timber frames using primarily hand tools. He has taught at many Timber Framer’s Guild Community Building Projects including the Bayles Boat Shed Long Island Seaport and Eco-Center (LI, NY), Sunrise Mill hand tool workshop (Schwenksville, PA) and was the Project Manager for Champlain Canal Visitor’s Center (Schuylerville, NY). Neil has also taught timber framing at Pingree Campus of Colorado State University, the Hancock Shaker Village (Handcock, MA) and a workshop on the Island of Gotland in Sweden.

EMILY BARKEI

Operations


Emily Barkei started their timber framing journey at Heartwood as an apprentice in the spring of 2023 and has been working at Heartwood in the shop and behind the scenes ever since. Before Heartwood, they worked on organic farms and enjoyed spending time canoeing, playing the fiddle, and dabbling in projects like as banjo-making and quilting. Emily is excited to be a part of the wider timber framing community and to be working in a place where they can help others access traditional trades.

DANIELLE GODDEN

Administrative Assistant


While Danielle is not actually a timber framer, she has been in and around timber framing for the past 25+ years.  She lives in a timber frame house that she and her husband designed and built using timber from their own land.  Danielle really enjoys being a part of the timber framing community, whether visiting a Community Building Project like the Bayles Boat Shed on Long Island in 2006 or helping out with the contracts and organization for the Gateway Visitors Center in Schuylerville, NY.   Her role at Heartwood is varied, which includes: program development, outreach and media, special projects and various support for the Heartwood team, instructors, students, apprentices, and classes.  Danielle's true passion is working with children, pre-k to 6th grade, as a certified speech-language pathologist in a local elementary school in western Massachusetts. She enjoys traveling, knitting and hanging out with her family and cats.

BOARD

SHARING THE LOVE OF THE CRAFT


The School is overseen by a five -member board of directors:


Dennis Marcom

Stephen Morrison

Peter Dickson

Andrea Warchaizer

Grigg Mullen, Jr.

Sissily Harrell

Mike Beganyi

Rob Geoghegan-Morphet


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