



The Marshfield School of Weaving is the nation’s foremost school for textile techniques as practiced before the handweaving revivals of the 20th century. The instruction is founded on efficient, practical methods rooted in a tradition that reaches back to the middle ages.
Gathered in two 19th-century barns, overlooking the hills of central Vermont, is the largest collection of working 18th and 19th-century looms in the country. Students of all experience levels, from first-time weavers to those with decades at the loom, meet in classes that range from one to several weeks.
The Marshfield School of Weaving was founded in 1975 by Virginia Stranahan and Norman Kennedy who learned his trade from the last of the professional handweavers in Aberdeen, Scotland following the second World War. Kate Smith, who began her instruction under Norman in 1979, revitalized the school in 2007 and teaches with her students, Justin Squizzero and Dosia Sanford.
New for 2023: see classes and sign up directly online.
The manual of Marshfield's historically-based technique, now in its third edition:

SPECIAL PROJECT FOR 2022
If you are the owner of an early hand loom or know of one in a historic site please consider filling in our
North American Early Hand Loom Survey. Click here to find the survey.
Thank you!
Chipstone Foundation has produced an excellent series of short videos profiling artists and craftspeople and their perspectives on the creative process. Watch their interview with our Director, Kate Smith.