Experience Level: BeginnersJoin Allerton Natural Areas staff for Winter Bird Hikes on Fridays, Jan. 3, Feb. 7 and March 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet in the Main Parking Lot. If the starting location changes, participants will receive an email the day before. New location information will also be posted on the Allerton Park […]

Experience Level: Beginner Get the kids outside this winter at Hot Chocolate Hikes on Jan. 15, Feb. 5 and March 4. See below for times and meeting locations. Children* and their guardians are invited to join mother-daughter team Bridget and Rose Frerichs to discover the joys of Allerton in winter. Each adventure will feature a […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the process of weaving at Basket Weaving: Back to Basics on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. At this hands-on workshop, instructor Bonnie Rideout will teach students how to make a basket using reed. Each student will leave with their own unique completed basket. $80/person. […]

Experience Level: Beginner Whether you want to learn to knit or just need a refresher, enroll in Knitting 101: Knitting for Beginners on Thursdays, Jan. 23 and 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Fiber artist Billie Theide will present the basics of knitting, including needle and yarn selection. Students will learn how to […]

Experience Level: Beginner Step back in time with turn-of-the-century dances at Dances of the Gilded Age on Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion. In this elegant setting, instructor Jeanette Watts will teach 1900-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society […]

Experience Level: Beginner Connect with your body in a peaceful environment during one of our winter 2025 Community Yoga classes on Wednesdays, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, March 5 and April 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Mansion Library. Josie Heck with Yoga Off the Square will help you gently flow through a series of poses with the […]

Experience Level: Beginner Take an enchanting journey through domestic and international vineyards with wine educator Mike Lee at Talking & Tasting Wines: An Intro to Wines of the World on Fridays, Jan. 31, Feb. 21 and March 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Library. These sampling sessions coincide with our Weekend Wind Downs, where you can extend […]

Need a good place to relax and concentrate on your latest read? Then swing out to the Mansion for our Silent Book Club from 5 to 8 p.m. on select Mondays. The evening will begin with a brief group discussion of what we are currently reading and to swap recommendations. Then participants will break up […]

Experience Level: Beginner No barn? No problem! Join the barn quilt movement by creating your own painted quilt block to use on the inside or outside of your home at Barn Quilt Painting on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This workshop will start with a pre-primed board with a […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to use the pattern originally used in armor for jewelry making at Link it! Chainmaille Jewelry on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Historically, chainmaille was used as protective armor, as the linked rings resulted in a strong, flexible fabric. Jewelers have adopted the […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sunday, Feb. 9 and March 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House. (Each class will cover the same material). Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the art of needlefelting at Needlefelt Ladybug on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Stephanie Block will teach students how to make an adorable ladybug in honor of the beneficial insect. Participants will work through the process step-by-step and leave with a completed needlefelt ladybug. […]

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Paint Your Partner on Friday, Feb. 14 in the Mansion from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Inspired by the Paint Your Partner Challenge, guests will enjoy a casual date night with pizza, paint, drinks and laughs. Each table will be supplied with paint brushes, acrylic paints and a canvas. Seated across from […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, Feb. 15 through March 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about decorating wedding-themed cookies at Wedding Cookie Decorating on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. Cookie decorator Jennifer Holhubner will walk students through decorating with royal icing, crusting butter cream and rolled buttercream as they learn wet-on-wet techniques, outlining, flooding how to make flowers. […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturdays, Feb. 15 through March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become familiar […]

Experience Level: Beginner Take part in a delicious series at Wines of the World on Wednesdays, Feb. 19, March 12, March 26 and April 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium. Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he takes students on […]

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages) Learn more about birdwatching at an Intro to Birding and eBird on Fridays, Feb. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio and outdoors. Allerton Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue will help students learn about bird identification during the cooler months, when fewer species are on […]

Experience Level: Beginner Enjoy a day of weaving at Weaving a Mantel Basket on Friday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. In this workshop, instructor Bonnie Rideout will start students off with a ‘D’ handle and a woven, filled base and teach the techniques of twining, start/stop weaving, decreased […]

Experience Level: Beginner Looking for an easy-to-learn and fun instrument to keep your mind active? Then enroll in Beginning Mountain Dulcimer on Saturdays, Feb. 22 through March 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio. Playing the dulcimer requires only a love of music and a desire to create beautiful sound. It is a […]

Experience Level: Beginner Level up your coffee and teatime and Learn to Bake Scones on Monday, Feb. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. Scones are the perfect companion for warm beverages, and in this workshop Chef Leah Bodine will lead students through the process of mixing batter for two different […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn to draw, shade and create texture at Beginning Pen & Ink on Thursdays, Feb. 27 through March 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Emily Tackitt will teach the basics of hatching, dots and varied line to help students learn how to create texture and visual interest. […]

Experience Level: Beginner Bring nature to life in your artwork at Beginning Drawing from Nature on Thursdays, Feb. 27 through March 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in The Studio. This course, led by Monticello-based artist Emily Tackitt, is aimed at the beginner who has no drawing experience. Students will learn how to bring items […]

Experience Level: Writers of all skill levels Whether you are a writer in the middle of a project or an author who is looking to start a new effort, enroll in Writing Habits: In Three Parts, a three-part online course on Fridays, Feb. 28, March 7 & 14 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. In this […]

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: 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: 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: 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 […]

Whether you like eating pie or factoring pi, we’ve got you covered with Puzzles and Pi(e) on Friday, March 14 from 3:14 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion. Join us for puzzles, pie and coffee starting at (approximately) 3:14 p.m. An optional Mansion tour will also be offered at 4 p.m. In addition to traditional […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to decorate cookies for spring at Spring Cookie Decorating on Saturday, March 15 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Greenhouse Café. Learn to decorate spring-themed cookies with royal icing, crusting butter cream and rolled buttercream! Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and explain wet-on-wet technique, outlining and flooding and make […]

Experience Level: Beginner Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by taking part in Irish Baked Goods: Barmbrack & Soda Bread on Monday, March 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. In this workshop, Chef Leah Bodine will teach the basics of creating the batter needed for these Irish favorites. Students will take home recipes, instructions and the […]

Experience Level: Ages 10+ Learn about soft pastels and ways to use them through basic mark-making techniques at Introduction to Pastel Painting on Tuesday, March 18 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Mansion Library. Artists ages 10 and older can sign up for this course, where award-winning artist Mandy Roeing will help students learn […]

Experience Level: Some weaving experience needed Continue your journey into the world of weaving at Beginning Weaving II on Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 2-day class with instructor Sharon Bowles will be a continuation of Beginning Weaving 1, but instead of everyone doing the same article, […]

Experience Level: Beginners Join us for Woodcarving for Beginners Monday through Friday, March 24-28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in The Studio. Experienced woodcarver Lance Noone will lead this week-long course on the basics of woodcarving. Students will learn about the proper tools, safety measures and carving techniques to be successful. By the end […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, March 29 to April 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, March 29 to April 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become […]