The Yestermorrow School is in Waitsfield, Vermont. They have classes yearlong in a variety of building areas.
Photo courtesy of Yestermorrow School
One of the most interesting places to go to discuss home construction is the wonderful and remote school – Yestermorrow. Established in 1980 in Waitsfield, Vermont; the school is a training ground for do-it-yourselfers, as well as those serious about learning the building trade.
I had the great privilege of visiting and speaking at the school several years ago. Expecting to meet a group of newbie builders, I was very surprised instead to met a sophisticated group of students, very well versed in construction and totally dedicated to learning their skills.
An aerial view of the Yestermorrow School
Photo courtesy of Yestermorrow School
The school has made a concerted effort to teach people about prefab construction, since the demand has increased for this information over the years.
Those familiar with my writing know I am a real fan of prefab construction and feel confidant that this is the current and future of homebuilding for a multitude of reasons. Those include the need for more energy efficient and sustainable construction, and the shortage of labor, willing to work in various difficult weather conditions. I believe the end result of building prefab is a more efficient construction, which is built in a shorter amount of time, while also better for the environment. Though slowly, the prefab market is growing in both residential and commercial structures. Each month I get letters from potential homeowners asking for additional information on building prefab. So I was delighted to learn that Yestermorrow School would be offering a prefab factory tour.
This is a factory tour of Bensonwood/Unity Homes on a previous Yestermorrow factory tour.
Photo courtesy of Yestermorrow School
Later this month the school is hosting a tour that will give anyone interested in prefab construction the opportunity to see several factories and meet the professionals in the field. It is really a rare opportunity to visit five working prefab factories and see how they operate. There will be an opportunity to ask lots of questions of the professionals building some of the most efficient and beautiful houses in the northeast of the United States. Anyone who is interested in designing prefab, building prefab or wants to purchase a prefab house for themselves in the future should find this an invaluable learning experience.
The Yankee Barn Homes factory inGrantham, NH – one of the stops on the tour.
Photo courtesy of Yankee Barn Homes
This factory tour will begin on Thursday, April 25that the Yestermorrow School. Breakfast will be served and a tour of their campus will follow. Then the group will set out to visit several prefab factories including, Huntington Homes, Vermod Modular Homes, Bensonwood/Unity Homes, Yankee Barn Homes and Preferred Building Systems. These companies build modular and panelized constructions.I am familiar with all of these factories and they are all excellent manufacturers.
One of the working factories the tour group will see on the two day excursion.
Photo courtesy of Yankee Barn Homes
There will be a stay at a Comfort Inn, travel in Yestermorrow vans and all meals along the way. Arrival back at the Yestermorrow School will be at 5:00 on Friday. April 26th. Anyone interested in additional information/joining this tour should contact the school.
Another opportunity offered by the school is an online course – Sustainable PreFab Design and Delivery – which will include 19 sessions, two hours each.
All students who participate in the tours will be given a $450 coupon towards this Sustainable Prefab course.
I am happy to share this information because of my admiration for the School and my belief that it will provide a great deal of information so many people are seeking.
Happy touring!