About the Guild
The vision of the guild is to keep the traditions of woodworking alive, to build the skills of our members, and to pass this knowledge and skill to future generations.
The guild started as a volunteer group working on traditional mortise & tenon framing projects at the Historic Camden Foundation park in Camden, SC. The structures this group built there are shown in the Projects area. Phillip Hultgren began leading this enthusiastic group into the fascinating world of traditional woodworking. Along with these structures, the guild built camaraderie, so that, when the time was right, we incorporated into an official group with a more defined purpose.
We are currently working with the Kershaw County Arts Center to establish a permanent location for the guild, and our first large project will be to build our new shop! When complete, we will offer classes & workshops and hold regular meetings where individuals can engage in their own projects and participate in the guild’s projects for the community. The guild works with charity groups and for-profit entities on projects.
Our emphasis is on working with hand tools, so that skills of past centuries are preserved and to promote appreciation of working with natural wood. We do not use pre-dimensioned parts or kits for our projects, but, wherever feasible, shape from raw wood, often beginning with cut timber. We use power tools as necessary, but encourage using traditional hand tools.
New members need only to bring their desire to learn. Mentorship and instruction is a large part of the guild’s mission, and, while members are welcome to bring their own hand-tools to use, most will be provided.
