The Hudson River Maritime Museum, located on the historic Rondout waterfront, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the maritime heritage of the Hudson River and its tributaries and teaching residents about these facets. With a collection of historical artifacts, educational programs, and annual exhibits, the museum offers a unique glimpse into the region's rich maritime history.
Discover the art of creating unique live edge tables in this hands-on course. Choose from locally sourced hardwood and learn the techniques to shape, smooth, and attach legs to your own one-of-a-kind coffee table. Embark on this creative journey at the Hudson River Maritime Museum.
Next start date:
Sunday, Apr 7th, 10am–5pm Eastern Time
Discover the joy of creating your musical masterpiece with this hands-on woodworking class led by guitar maker Bill Sterling. Craft your ukulele from scratch and unleash your inner musician. A perfect gift for music enthusiasts and those seeking a new hobby.
Next start date:
Friday, Apr 19th, 6–9pm Eastern Time
Join master woodworker Bob Boisvert at the Hudson River Maritime Museum for a fun and creative woodworking class. Create beautiful, handmade wooden toys for your loved ones while learning essential woodworking techniques. No experience necessary - beginners are welcome!
Next start date:
Saturday, Apr 6th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Experience the thrill of building your own wooden boat in a picturesque waterfront setting. Join us for a unique and rewarding bonding experience that will leave you with cherished memories and a beautiful boat!
Next start date:
Friday, May 10th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Learn the art of creating durable, heirloom-quality wooden picture frames using the corner spline joinery technique in this intermediate-level course. Discover how to cut, assemble, and finish frames, as well as professionally mount artwork, photographs, or mementos. Unlock the secrets to crafting stunning wall-mounted frames that make unique and personalized gifts.
Next start date:
Saturday, Apr 13th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Discover the perfect summer project for you and your loved ones: creating your own custom cornhole set under the guidance of expert woodworker Kathy Prisco. Learn essential woodworking skills while cutting, shaping, and assembling the boards, and customize them with your own graphics and decorations. Don't miss out on this fun and interactive DIY experience!
Next start date:
Wednesday, May 1st, 5–8pm Eastern Time
Explore the world of wooden boat building and discover the timeless craftsmanship behind constructing a unique watercraft. Experience the satisfaction of handcrafting a classic boat in every detail.
Next start date:
Friday, May 17th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Discover the art of green wood spoon carving at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Learn the techniques of shaping wood with traditional edge tools to create beautiful and functional spoons. No experience is necessary.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 22nd, 10am–4pm Eastern Time
Experience a master class in building the iconic Adirondack guideboat with expert Jon Richer. Learn the complete process, from design to construction, of this fast and stable craft.
Next start date:
Monday, Jun 24th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Learn the art of fiber rush weaving in this hands-on class! Master the basic pattern to create a beautiful hand-woven footstool. All materials provided for you to leave with your own stunning creation.
Next start date:
Sunday, Apr 28th, 10am–4pm Eastern Time
Discover the art of crafting intricate ship models with precision and skill. Unearth the techniques and secrets of creating stunning half hull carvings under expert guidance.
Next start date:
Friday, May 24th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Learn the fundamentals of working with epoxy to ensure your boat's longevity and performance on the water. Master the art of epoxy applications through hands-on training.
Next start date:
Thursday, May 23rd, 6–9pm Eastern Time
Enhance your woodworking skills and create a custom hand plane under the guidance of shipwright Wayne Ford at the HRMM Wooden Boat School. Learn to shape the wooden body to your preference and leave with a working hand plane to use in your future projects. Join us in Kingston's historic Rondout district for a hands-on experience in preserving maritime craft traditions.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 15th, 9:30am–4pm Eastern Time
Dive into the art of weaving with various materials to create a stunning handwoven footstool. Learn basic weaving patterns and techniques to craft a beautiful piece in this immersive class. Walk away with a unique and functional piece of furniture to showcase your newfound skills.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 1st, 10am–4pm Eastern Time
Discover the ancient art of boat construction in this immersive class. Learn the principles of lofting as you participate in the full-scale layout of a traditional boat. Gain hands-on experience that will enable you to create your own vessel with confidence.
Next start date:
Friday, Jun 28th, 9am–5pm Eastern Time
Create your own needle felted right whale in a beginner-friendly workshop! We will guide you through felting wool into a three-dimensional form. No tools needed, just your creativity and willingness to learn!
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 29th, 10am–1pm Eastern Time
Get hands-on in our week-long class leading up to the event, where you'll help design and build our wooden car from scratch. No experience needed, ages 11 and up welcome! Spectators can enjoy vendors, food, live performances, and an entertaining awards ceremony at TR Gallo Park.
Next start date:
Monday, Aug 12th, 10am–4pm Eastern Time
Located on the historic Rondout waterfront, the Hudson River Maritime Museum was established in 1979 to collect, preserve, research, exhibit, and interpret a collection of historical artifacts related to the maritime heritage of the Hudson River and its tributaries. This is the only museum in New York State exclusively dedicated to this mission.
In 2012, the museum partnered with Clearwater to build the Kingston Home Port and Education Center, also known as "The Barn", on the west end of the museum's property to serve as a winter Home Port for Clearwater and summer program and event space for the museum. In 2015, the museum purchased the former Rosita's Restaurant property (just east of the museum) and transformed it into the Wooden Boat School. In August, 2017, the Sailing & Rowing School offered its first youth sailing program, with one week of youth and one week of teen sailing instruction on the museum's fleet of 19' Lightnings. It has quickly expanded to include adult and youth sailing programs.
Today, the museum features annual exhibits, free public events, educational programs for adults and children alike, continually updated and improved by both staff and volunteers.
Reviews of Hudson River Maritime Museum
(5.0-star rating across
20 reviews)
Wooden Spoon Carving
Anonymous review on 1/14/2024
The first session was so much fun! Due to poor weather, the second session has been rescheduled. The rescheduling process was painless - we were all emailed and given a few possible reschedule dates. I really enjoy the pace of the class day, the size of the group, and the instruction from Kate was so warm, welcoming, and informative.
Build Your Own Adirondack Chair
Reviewed by Daryl W. on 6/25/2023
A well organized class that taught several woodworking skills with a variety of tools. The best part is taking home a great chair you made yourself. There is a fair amount of pre-work done to make the class move along smoothly. It is easy to move at your own pace and the instructor is hepful and can recognize when learners need more or less assistance
Furniture Restoration and Repair
Reviewed by Christine D. on 4/24/2023
Really great. I learned so much and realized how much patience is a part of restoration. Our teacher Max was terrific. Each project went home stronger and fresher than how it came into class. I really enjoyed the weekend.
Build a Live Edge Table
Reviewed by Jamie P. on 9/18/2022
This course was amazing! The location was charming and the class was informative and fun. My boyfriend and I left with an amazing coffee table that we absolutely love.
Make Your Own Ukulele
Reviewed by Ingrid M. on 9/16/2022
During the summer, I took a class at the Kingston Maritime Museum with guitar maker and woodworker Bill Sterling. We built our own Ukeleles from start to finish. it was hard and detailed work that took three whole days (and still needs a final coating). I learned some good woodworking skills, and although it was a big challenge, I had so much fun--hats off to Luthiers. Now I am on my way to learning how to play it. Thank you again. It was a fabulous opportunity that I will never forget.
Build a Live Edge Table
Reviewed by Daryl W. on 9/3/2022
The course was well organized. The instructor was able to give the right amount of attention to each participant. The workshop is well equipped. It was a great opportunity to build a table and learn how to use the equipment
Build Your Own Bookcase
Reviewed by Jeanette R. on 3/7/2022
I learned a lot in this course and really appreciated the instructor’s patience, humility, and knowledge. He was a wonderful teacher (Wayne Ford) and the shop itself was very spacious and pleasant (nice views of the creek!!). The class was limited to 4 people and that turned out to be an ideal number. Class participants were all nice too.
Make Your Own Firewood Rack
Reviewed by zoe w. on 1/24/2022
Great class! Wonderful teacher in Wayne! Equipment is top-notch. I would take a class every day if I could.
Wooden Spoon Carving
Reviewed by Anne H. on 6/26/2021
The location was beautiful and the instructor was amazing. All around great class.
Wooden Spoon Carving
Reviewed by david r. on 6/21/2021
Great class in a relaxed atmosphere led by wonderful instructor who guided us through carving techniques. Weather was perfect so class was held outside by the river an added bonus.
Wooden Spoon Carving
Reviewed by Judith I. on 6/20/2021
Fantastic teacher, environment, pacing, day.
Make A Wooden Pen
Anonymous review on 2/18/2024
Boat Owners Series: Basics of Epoxy
Reviewed by Gregory S. on 1/20/2024
Wooden Spoon Carving
Reviewed by Jennifer R. on 1/14/2024
Build a Live Edge Table
Reviewed by Carl P. on 9/12/2023
Furniture Restoration and Repair
Reviewed by Nicole O. on 4/24/2023
Scroll Saw Ornaments
Reviewed by Joe P. on 12/14/2022
Build Your Own Bookcase
Reviewed by Brittany L. on 3/6/2022
Build Your Own Work Bench
Reviewed by Michael R. on 2/27/2022
Sailors Valentine
Reviewed by Marie N. on 2/16/2022
Review Summary by CourseHorse
Students who have taken classes at the Hudson River Maritime Museum have given positive reviews about their experiences. They mention that the classes are well-organized and cover a variety of woodworking skills using different tools. Students appreciate the opportunity to take home a finished product that they made themselves, such as a chair or a coffee table. The instructors are described as helpful, patient, and knowledgeable, providing the right amount of attention to each participant. The workshops are well-equipped and offer a spacious and pleasant environment. Students also mention that the location of the museum, by the river, adds to the overall appeal of the classes.
Direct quotes from the reviews:
- "Each project went home stronger and fresher than how it came into class."
- "It was a fabulous opportunity that I will never forget."
- "Great class in a relaxed atmosphere led by a wonderful instructor."
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