North House
Folk School

Welcome to North House Folk School's web site. Without question, it is filled with a fascinating array of courses that promise months of discovery and learning. I hope that browsing these pages captures your imagination and inspires you to action. Without you, our educational mission and commitment to lifelong learning is incomplete.

Opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. This web site is a wonderful example of this fact, as is North House. Who could have imagined that in just six years (since January of 1997) this dream called North House would grow from a first series of courses to hundreds of programs offered throughout the year. Admittedly, the journey has not been effortless – a fire in March of 2001 that destroyed our woodworking & boat building classroom is just one of the hurdles we have encountered. In the aftermath of the fire, hundreds of supporters and volunteers stepped forward.

North House's future success depends upon the continued involvement of many individuals: courses filled with interested students, new opportunities shaped by creative instructors, projects undertaken by talented volunteers, and expanding support from a growing membership base. Without you North House is incomplete.

An inspiring educational vision, determined hard work, a warm & engaging community, and unwavering creative energy have been North House's hallmarks - I invite and urge you to join us on this intriguing journey.

Greg Wright
Executive Director

Philosophy:
North House Folk School was created to promote and preserve knowledge, skills, and crafts of the past and present, and through them, to better understand the future and our role in it.  

The mission of the North House Folk School is to enrich lives and build community by teaching traditional northern crafts in a student-centered learning environment that inspires the hands, the heart and the mind.

Five basic tenets guide all programs and classes at the folk school:

• Create a rich, positive environment that inspires life-long learning in a non-competitive environment.
• Promote and preserve the knowledge, skills, crafts and stories of the past and present.
• Help students recognize and develop their creativity, talents and interests in a student-centered environment that affirms individual differences.
• Foster the concept of inter-generational learning.
• Provide creative and meaningful opportunities for individuals, families and groups.

The learning that is emphasized is inspired by the Scandinavian "folkehøjskole" where learning is valued for its own sake. The focus is on traditional methods and technologies and their application in a variety of areas.

Location:  
Unless otherwise noted, all courses will be held at North House Folk School, located on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota at the foot of the Gunflint Trail.  Grand Marais is located 110 miles from Duluth and is reached by following Highway 61 north.  A detailed map will be provided on registration.

Accommodations:  
Grand Marais and the North Shore can be a busy place both during the summer and on weekends throughout the year.  Given this, we encourage students to make reservations in advance.  Upon registration for a course, students receive a comprehensive list of available lodging in the area (many of which offer discounts for North House students - please inquire as you make your lodging reservations). Find out more about lodging options by utilizing the North House Links Page or by going directly to the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association's Web Page.

Membership in North House:  
North House is an educational nonprofit at depends on the financial support of individuals, families and businesses. As a member in North House Folk School, you will receive all catalogs, newsletters and notices of special events and opportunities. Your membership also contributes to the scholarship fund, which provides financial assistance to students of all ages whom otherwise would not be able to participate in North House programs.  Additional membership information is available on this Web site.