North House Folk School

Visit the north shore of Lake Superior to connect with a craft community like none other.

- By Collin Knoff

I've learned over the years that the world can be a lonely place. The digital platforms that were supposed to bring us closer together have only contributed to a life that feels increasingly isolated. What a paradox it was then, that traveling to the physically isolated North House Folk School helped me to find a community that is as strong and welcoming as ever.

North House Folk School is located in Grand Marais, Minnesota, which is 260 miles north of the Twin Cities, and about 40 miles shy of the Canadian border. The school is located on the south end of town — a cluster of buildings nestled down by the harbor, with a view of Lake Superior. The most prominent one is the bright yellow welcome center, seen in the images on this page.

The center is brand new this year, and it's a great example of what makes the folk school stand out. Among the many courses and mediums available to learn is traditional timber framing. So instead of hiring a building crew, instructors Tom Healy and Peter Henrikson guided a group of volunteers to turn white pine timber into a full building. That community ethos is the core lesson I ended up taking away with my time there.

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