While I haven't personally taken a class here, my aunt raves about their classes. I guess the evidence of their greatness is in how fast they fill up, so plan early! We visited their gift shop in the lovely wooden building on the shore on 9/28/24, which was filled with crafts that local artisans had made (please see pictures, there's too much to list!). I think this would be a great spot to pick up birthday or holiday gifts! read more

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We are SO lucky to have a place like this in MN! To me, this is what Northern Minnesota is all about: enjoying the seasons, celebrating crafts and skills, and connecting with Nordic heritage! I stopped by at the recommendation of a friend, and am SO glad I did. This is such a special place for gathering, shopping, learning, and crafting. Right outside the front door, you'll see a list of their MANY classes and courses that they offer. Take a newspaper-style catalogue of their offerings, and you'll quickly realize that truly anything handy you want to learn, they teach! Want to learn how to finger weave? Build a chair? Make sausage? Make a boat? Bread? Embroidery? Basket-weaving? There are SO many awesome courses here on truly every topic, specializing in ancient traditions and handicrafts. Inside, you can purchase handicrafts (many even made by students of the classes themselves!), books about said skills, and other Nordic heritage related goods and gifts. I told everyone I know about this place, and now my parents can't wait to come up for a cooking class and canoe-making class. I can't recommend this truly special place enough! read more

I am a female woodworker, I won a $10k grant to apprenticeship under a master woodworker in Norway. I was unbelievably excited when I found out an Italian female woodworker from Norway, who also specialized in Viking Age woodworking would be teaching a class. I applied for a work/study position, and was accepted. Before arriving, I was emailing Alex Blust, who informed me that the grocery store was a half a mile walk, one way. I have a disability, post traumatic stress disorder and didn't want the stress of walking in an unfamiliar place and I knew the grocery store would have ridiculous prices, given that it's a small town. I asked if I could mail packages of food. I was given two addresses, I found out after I arrived, no matter what, packages could not be delivered. And the post offices informed me of this, Alex Blust said NOTHING. When I contacted her about the issue, I was told I could be given a wagon and "good luck walking". The walk was unbelievably dangerous because snow and ice would melt during the day then freeze at night. And the wind was horrific. I fell twice, and bloodied my knuckles falling, which I didn't realize until I arrived at the Post office. Jay DeCoux, who lived at the boarding house I was staying at, and his girlfriend, waited to watch me fall on the ice. And then when I returned to the boarding house from picking up my food, Jay DeCoux peeled out of the driveway in his car. The boarding house I stayed at, was also disgusting. And I had to clean my room, before I felt comfortable. I was unable to use the kitchen, because it looked like it hadn't been properly cleaned in over a year. They also had issues with people stealing food. Furthermore, when I arrived, Alex Blust, wanted me to begin working immediately. My response was to ask her if she had actually read my application which stated that I have a disability. And I told her I needed time to acclimate to the new environment before I began work, because with my disability, if I become too stressed out, I will stop eating and sleeping entirely. Alex Blust, disregarded this, and sent another work/study participant to attempt to coerce me to work. Later, I sat down with Liv & Alex Blust, where we went over what worked best for a working environment. I explained that I worked best alone, doing deep cleaning or organizing, and that I am capable of cleaning on a professional level. We also came to an agreement, that any hours of work that did not cover the class, I would be billed for, which I agreed. Alex Blust brought me to the "Boat House", where a class had been led tanning and preparing sheep skin. Unfortunately, the instructor failed to properly prepare the skin, and all of the skins were decayed and rotten. There was blood on the walls, chunks of flesh, and hair, all over the building. And the building itself, appeared as if it hadn't been properly cleaned in over a year. An instructor stopped in while I was cleaning and I asked her why this building was in this state. She stated that North House uses work/study participants like slaves, and refused to do their jobs. The work/study participants also did not have the skills required to clean effectively. I cleaned for 4 hours, then had to leave so an instructor could set up in the room. To clean this room properly would of taken me days. Alex Blust messaged me on the evening stating how she had to complete the job, and was passive aggressive towards me. The following day I began receiving threats from an anonymous phone number, from an unknown person. I put my phone on "do not disturb". That evening I took my sleeping meds, and headphones on, to be awoken by Liv and Jay DeCoux, forcing themselves into my locked room. After I had a confrontation with Liv, I mentioned that an anonymous number had began threatening me. She admitted to being the anonymous person threatening me. Which I responded to how odd that type of behavior was. She then stated that North House could not accommodate my disability and that I had to leave immediately or they would call the sheriff. I refused because I had a legal right because I was working for the place I was staying at, and I was not disturbing anyone. I was illegally detained for trespassing. I have never been arrested before, and it was an extremely traumatizing experience. read more

The North House Folk School is a treasure found in northern Minnesota! The school offers a very wide variety of classes all year round, and they are truly invested in keeping these crafts and knowledge of these skills alive. On the campus, the store has a great variety of books, souvenirs, and art for sale. There is a tour available each Saturday afternoon where they will show you around and answer any questions that you have. As a student of a class, you have a very talented instructor who guides you through learning new skills. The school also does a nice job of sharing housing recommendations if you are coming for a class. read more

Took the sailboat cruise. On a Monday, end of season so that may have been the reason we got the less than amazing captain. He was safe and skilled but literally spent the trip talking about how the other captains have lots of stories or sing sea shanties etc. Ultimately boring and over priced. Office staff are standoffish. read more

Sailboat ride here! They can take up to 6 people at a time on a 50 foot schooner called the Hjordis. We had a blast even though it wasn't really windy. It is $45 a person for an hour and forty five minute ride. The captain explained the workings of the sailboat and two of us even got to help hoist the sails! I highly recommend this experience, but be prepared for cancellations because of weather. We made reservations twice before, but weren't able to go due to fog and/or rain. They error on the side of caution which is reassuring! read more

North House Folk School - Hjordis sailboat - Specialty Schools Near Me - Grand Marais, Minnesota

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Love this place! I took a bread baking class and it was absolutely superb. The staff is very friendly and all of the people hanging out on campus just plain cool. Welcoming and interesting. All walks of life can be found at the school. There are tons of classes that I would take there if I had the time. There is a little school store that offers books, supplies, and artists goods. It is a must see when in Grand Marais. If you can take a class, even better! The weekend I was there, there were classes and activities for kids. read more

This place was really cool. We walked around and saw some stuff going on in the metal shop. Everyone we met was very pleasant and happy to answer any questions that we had. read more

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On Sat at 9am I went sailing for the 1st time on the Hjordis a 50ft schooner.....Granted I was nervous, but our captain Mae was AWESOME! !! I felt so relaxed. She really knows her stuff and the 2 guys, her shipmates were good as well! Here's to you Mae, Thanks....I shall return! While in Grand Marais you must do this, you will be so happy you did! read more

Here for a chip carving class. Dropped in at the last minute for this class and learned so much. Judi was a great instructor - very inspiring. I think what I like most is just being able to have dedicated time to work on a project in such a lovely location. read more

My husband and I sailed last Wednesday. So much better than I expected. I sailed when I was younger but this was first time for John. Very personal since no more than six passengers are allowed. Two young people, Jack and Molly, acting as crew for their training. The captain kept them on track. They will go very far in their futures. Great two hour experience for us. Thank you everyone at the school. read more

Hmm - well, we were a bit disappointed with our sailboat ride. It was supposed to be 90 minutes but we were only out for 60 minutes (captain said there was a storm 30 miles to the south as we were pulling in - I get the safety precaution, but the rain didn't start for another hour after we docked). It was nice that they provided dessert, tea and blankets. We did a private sailboat charter in Maine last summer and there was just no comparison. They took us out much further, showed us things, it felt like our own private tour. Now, you can argue that the Hjordis isn't a private charter but our family of five were the only folks on the boat, so... In any case, we would look to do a fishing trip or something else in the future if we want to get out on the lake. For the cost, we did not feel this was a value. It was $55/person. Not recommended. read more

My wife had a 2 day class scheduled. We drove 7 hours to Grand Marais, took 3 days of vacation from work and secured hotel accomidations. After my wife showed up for the 1st day of class she was informed the instructor did not show up. My wife was excited about taking this class for the last 4 months. We were both extremely disappointed. read more