A turn-of-the-century space in downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square will provide hands-on opportunities for adults and children to try their hand at “vintage” technologies, beginning this month.
This 1901 bungalow, known as the Stevens House, will open to the public Oct. 1 as a makerspace—a place offering the public access to experience vintage, pre-electric technologies for collaboration and learning. This new makerspace is called “Handcrafted.”
Inger Erickson, left, director of the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, demonstrates how to use an old scroll saw during the VIP preview of the new “Handcrafted” makerspace, which opens on Oct. 1 inside the Stevens House at Heritage Square (submitted photo).
A contemporary idea presented in a historic space will make Handcrafted a genuinely unique makerspace that demystifies the past. If you’ve ever gone through a museum and had a hard time not touching the antique pieces you see, this is the place for you.
Patrons visiting the Handcrafted zones will be able to print on a letterpress, sew using a treadle sewing machine, and cut wood using a pedal saw. In addition, those with a passion for cooking can use rolling pins to roll out dough and see it baked in a cast iron stove.
There will be additional hands-on activities in various zones throughout the house, and each zone will be staffed by volunteers. The five zones—Ink, Junk, Fiber, Wood and Food—will provide opportunities for collaboration and workshops.
Handcrafted will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and workshops will be held at least twice a month, on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. There is no cost to walk through the exhibit, but to participate in a hand-on activity you will need to purchase an interactive kit. Fees range from $10-$25, depending on the materials. A family can work on a kit together, or each individual can have their own.
During the month of October (the first month Handcrafted will be open), interactive kits will be half off for anyone who mentions they saw this article in the North Central News.
Most important, visitors to Handcrafted will leave with their creation— whether it’s a lathed dowel, a quilted square, or a hand-printed sign. Heritage Square is located at 113 N. 6th St. Metered street parking is available as well as a large garage just west of the square. For more information, visit www.heritagesquarephx.org.
