HARWICH WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
In Crowell’s Studio: Ten Weeks to a Working Decoy in Harwich
A ten‑week, hands‑on decoy carving and painting workshop led by Master Woodcarver Paul Phillips in Anthony Elmer Crowell’s original studio.
In Crowell’s Studio: Ten Weeks to a Working Decoy in Harwich.
Immerse yourself in traditional New England folk craft inside the original wood‑carving studio of Anthony Elmer Crowell. Over the course of a ten‑week workshop, students—guided by Master Woodcarver Paul Phillips—learn time‑tested bird‑carving techniques and complete a working decoy as part of a community effort to preserve this local craft.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
The original Crowell carving studio
Classes take place in the original wood‑carving studio of Anthony Elmer Crowell, situating instruction in a historic space tied to the region’s decoy‑making tradition.
Led by Master Woodcarver Paul Phillips
Workshops are taught by Paul Phillips, a master woodcarver and painter who has more than 30 years’ experience and has demonstrated at the Harwich Historical Society since the Crowell Barn Museum opened.
Complete a working decoy
Over a structured ten‑week course students learn traditional carving techniques and complete a working decoy; the Society also offers a new Decoy Feather Painting Workshop this fall.
What the day feels like
What the workshop feels like
The course unfolds as weekly, three‑hour sessions across ten weeks in a historic studio, where hands‑on instruction from a single master instructor moves students from blank wood to a finished, functional decoy. The pace is deliberate and communal—small cohorts work with provided introductory tools, wood, and supplies while the Society focuses on preserving the craft through guided practice.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this workshop is (and isn’t) for.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Students are provided with introductory tools, wood, and additional supplies by the program; participants should confirm any personal materials or protective clothing they prefer to use.
The workshop supplies wood and introductory carving tools and additional consumable supplies so students can focus on learning technique.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is each session and how many weeks is the course?
Each session is three hours long and the course runs over ten weeks.
Is there an age requirement to book?
Yes. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to book.
How many students are in each class?
Classes are limited to up to six people.
Who teaches the workshop?
The workshops are led by Master Woodcarver and decoy maker Paul Phillips, who has over 30 years of experience.
Will I receive tools and materials during the course?
Yes. Students will be provided with introductory tools, wood, and additional supplies.
Is there instruction in painting as well as carving?
Yes. In addition to carving, the Society is offering a Decoy Feather Painting Workshop this fall as part of its course offerings.