THE RAMSEY HOUSE SPRING WORKSHOP SERIES WILL FEATURE EXPERTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO INSTRUCT AND ADVISE ON TOPICS YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN ABOUT.  ADVANCE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY CALLING RAMSEY HOUSE AT 865-546-0745.  WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:   

Sat., February 27, 2010:  HEIRLOOM GARDENING ($25)
The first in the series, Heirloom Gardening, will be held Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, and will feature nationally renowned heirloom gardener, John Coykendall, along with historic garden designer, Terumi Saito Watson.  Coykendall will have on hand many varieties of heirloom vegetable seeds, and will discuss maintaining seed purity in the garden.  Seeds will also be available for sale.  Watson will discuss heirloom landscaping with historic plants.  She and Coykendall have worked together on several projects including The Flower Market and the heirloom vegetable garden at the University of Tennessee.  Fee is $25 per person.   

Sat., March 6, 2010:  ANTIQUE RESTORATION ($25)
The second workshop, Antique Restoration, is scheduled for Saturday March 6, 2010, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.  Instructor James Hooper, of Furniture Artistry (www.FurnitureArtistryTN.com) has over thirty-four years of experience in antique restoration and custom furniture building, and has been conservator of Ramsey House for many years.  He was called upon to rebuild and restore many antique pieces from the New Orleans area following Hurricane Katrina.  His specialties include traditional joinery, inlays, decorative veneering, carving, and turning.  Participants are welcome to bring an antique piece to the workshop to discuss with Mr. Hooper.  Fee is $25 per person. 

Sat., March 13, 2010:  ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION ($50)
An Architectural Preservationworkshop will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.  This workshop will feature some of the area’s most knowledgeable in historic architecture and preservation including anthropologist, Dr. Charles Faulkner; downtown developer, David Dewhirst; architect, Frank Sparkman, and architect, Mark Heinz.  The program will include a presentation followed by a panel discussion, and is designed to educate participants in historic architecture and assist in the decision-making process of owning and maintaining a historic property.  Fee is $50 per person. 

Tues.,Wed.,Thur., March 23-25, 2010:  CHAIR CANING ($25-50)
The final workshop of the series is a 3-day Chair Caning workshop scheduled March 23^rd, 24^th, and 25^th from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm and features hand-lace caning and splint bottom weaving.  Instructed by Bonnie Sheeley of the UT Extension office, participants will have the opportunity to bring and cane a chair.  Splint bottom will be offered each day as a one-day only class, while lace caning (a three-day process) will be offered over the three-day period.  Fee is $25 for the one-day splint bottom class, and $50 for the 3-day lace caning class.  A materials list will be mailed in advance to each participant with instructions on where to purchase materials. 
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March 23, 2010:
Join Ramsey House for its annual Fashion Show at Cherokee Country Club on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.  Tickets are $40 and may be purchased in advance by calling Madeline Bilbrey at 865-573-1938.  This event is always fun - so bring a friend! 
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JUNE 19-20, 2010:  CIVIL WAR LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND at RAMSEY HOUSE PLANTATION.  Don't miss this exciting reenactment of life during the Civil War as soldiers, medical personnel, clergy, and others perform a living history set in a Civil War encampment.  Battle each day - times to be announced.  Admission fee to be announced. Please check back later for details.   

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