You won’t want to miss the final class of Dances of the Gilded Age, which will be A Fancy Dress Ball on Monday, March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion. Led by instructor Jeanette Watts, the evening will be devoted to dance party games called “Germans”, along with mixers, quadrilles, set dances […]

Experience Level: Beginner Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn. Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn to paint on a beautiful surface at Santorini Stone Painting on Wednesday, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium. Mined in Greece, Santorini stone is a strikingly white and sparkling natural stone. It is often cut and polished for construction and landscape purposes. In this course, instructor […]

Experience Level: Intermediate Those who completed beginner mushroom foraging classes at The Farms or have experience in identification can continue their journey at Intermediate Mushroom Foraging on Saturdays, Aug. 9, 16 & 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. outdoors (rain or shine). Meet at the Greenhouse Cafè Patio (in case of rain meet inside the […]

Experience Level: Some Sewing Skills Recommended Learn the process of making a shirt at Sewing a Button-Down Shirt on Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in The Studio. Over the course of the weekend, instructor Caitlin O’Donoghue will walk students through cutting a pattern, assembling a button-down shirt using a […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the magical world of mushrooms at Beginning Mushroom Foraging on Sundays, July 6, 13 & 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio and outdoors. Instructor Lee Schuler will start each class with a short slide presentation, sharing how to identify various types of wild mushrooms, including some of […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sunday, June 29 and Aug. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House. (Each class covers the same material.) Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the difference between a shrew and a mole; a mole from a vole; a rat from a mouse; and a weasel from a mink — and more — at Rats, Bats, & Mice of Illinois on Saturday May 31 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in The Studio. (Each class covers the […]

Have you ever wondered who lived on the land that now makes up Allerton Park prior to the Allerton family? Learn more about the prehistory and early history of the area at a special, increased capacity History Happy Hour: Before the Allertons on Thursday, March 6 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Mansion Library. […]

Experience Level: Beginner Create your own unique wall hanging at Circular Weaving on Friday, March 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in The Studio. Macy McCall of TwinFringe will share beginner weaving techniques and students will create their own weaving on a steel circular frame. A variety of colors and fibers will be available to […]

Experience Level: Beginner Former Allerton In-Residence naturalist Michael Baker will conduct Foraging Walks on March 8, 9, 29, 30;  April 12, 13, 26, 27 and May 10, 11, 24 and 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. March 8 and 9 will start from the Sun Singer. For other hikes, locations will be emailed to students. Baker, […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the techniques of spiral coil weaving at Colorful Coiled Fabric Bowls and Jewelry on Wednesday, March 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. in The Studio. At this workshop, instructor Billie Theide will walk students through the process as they make colorful coiled fabric bowls, vases, placemats, coasters and jewelry. Students will be […]