Once a year, most years, in the panhandle of Idaho, I teach a workshop about the Technology of the Medieval Book. In two weeks a person is introduced to the growing, harvesting and processing of flax, the manufacture of thread and paper; splitting oak and processing it to make wooden boards for books; manufacture of parchment and alum-tawed skin, and fore edge clasps. Each participant is expected to leave with two books. One
    in the limp vellum style, and the other full wooden boards with clasps.

    But I'm taking some time out now to build a new papermill, Mill of Dunnydeer,
    named for the farm on which my paternal grandfather was born, in Scotland,
    west of Aberdeen. The new mill will have an eight-foot diameter overshot
    waterwheel, operating nine hammers in three vats. And a few 7 ft. X 10 ft.
    hovels for workshop participants to live in during the workshops.

    You can find out about previous workshops by reading the reviews below:
      We have other workshops tentatively planned, as well as another "Technology of the Medieval Book" workshop; bookmark this page and check back for more information.
Thompson Conservation Laboratory
7549 N. Fenwick
Portland, OR 97217
503/735-3942 (voice/fax)
E-Mail:tcl@teleport.com