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Spend an hour hand-dipping six-inch beeswax tapers in a historic room at Colony House. Led by Kaela Bleho of the NHS, this Winterfest workshop pairs practical craft skills with local history—perfect for a romantic outing or a creative souvenir.
Spend an hour hand-dipping six-inch beeswax tapers in a historic room at Colony House. Led by Kaela Bleho of the NHS, this Winterfest workshop pairs practical craft skills with local history—perfect for a romantic outing or a creative souvenir.
Book with Newport History Tours
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Operated by Newport History Tours · Newport, Rhode Island
At the center of Newport’s Washington Square, the Winterfest Candle-Making Workshop transforms the stately rooms of the Colony House into a small, warm studio for making beeswax tapers. Held in Newport, Rhode Island, this one-hour hands-on session (6:00–7:00) teaches participants to hand-dip and finish a pair of six-inch beeswax candles under the guidance of instructor Kaela Bleho of the NHS.
The workshop opens with a short history of candle-making and how beeswax candles played a daily role in colonial Rhode Island life. Participants learn traditional dipping techniques, shaping, and finishing touches while the instructor circulates with practical tips and a 1-page worksheet to take home. The setting—an 18th-century square framed by colonial brick and views toward Narragansett Bay—adds tangible context: you’re not only crafting an object, you’re working in the same civic heart that hosted Newport’s early gatherings.
What stands out is the mix of quiet craftsmanship and place-based storytelling. The tapers are simple—six-inch beeswax candles—but the process is deliberate, and the tactile steps (warming, dipping, rolling, trimming) make for an immersive, low-tech counterpoint to Newport’s busy waterfront. The workshop is geared to adults (minimum age 16) and works well for couples, friends, or solo visitors looking for a creative break from the summer crowds or winter festivals.
Practical details are straightforward: arrive at Colony House in Washington Square, bring curiosity, and dress for a light hands-on craft where wax and drips are possible. The class supplies materials and instruction; each person leaves with a handmade pair of candles and clear next-step notes to continue at home. The instructor, Kaela Bleho, brings a blend of craft skill and archival context—expect short historical anecdotes that anchor the craft to local life.
This workshop is a quietly distinctive addition to Newport’s outdoor-leaning recreation scene because it pairs material history with a tactile souvenir you made yourself. It’s an intimate indoor option for visitors who want to step off the Cliff Walk for an hour and learn a skill rooted in the region’s past. Whether planning a romantic Valentine’s outing during Winterfest or seeking a creative souvenir, the workshop offers a meaningful, hands-on connection to Newport’s cultural landscape.
Beyond the immediate craft, the evening offers practical takeaways: a worksheet that outlines supplies and measured ratios, troubleshooting notes for common problems like hump formation and weak wicks, and suggestions for sustainable sourcing of beeswax and cotton wicking. If you’re visiting Newport for its coastal walks and Gilded Age mansions, this class is a compact cultural stop that fills an hour with skill and story. Space can be limited for seasonal Winterfest events; booking ahead via the referral link ensures you’ll have a seat at the table and a pair of tapers to take home.
Materials, instruction, and the supplies to make a pair of six-inch beeswax tapers, plus a 1-page worksheet for continuing at home.
No—this class is designed for beginners and focuses on traditional hand-dipping techniques explained step by step.
Yes—many attendees come as couples or small groups; it’s a hands-on social activity that works well for shared outings.
Meet at Colony House in Washington Square, Newport—check the booking confirmation for any additional arrival instructions.
Participants must be at least 16 years old to attend this workshop.
Yes—photography is welcome, though be mindful of other participants; close-up shots of hands and texture make strong images.
Newport History Tours offers expert-led walking tours and self-guided experiences in Newport, Rhode Island, focused on the city’s layered past. The company presents a curated program of guided walks, lantern tours, themed historical events, and a QR-code self-guided visit to the Colony House. Tours explore Colonial Newport, African American maritime heritage, Revolutionary-era events, the transition from the Golden Age to the Gilded Age, and the evolution of local firefighting. Several walking tours are designed to run in about an hour, offering concise, accessible history for visitors of all ages. Guided experiences include lantern-lit cemetery walks, narrative-driven explorations of legends and lore, and programs that highlight maritime culture within the African diaspora. Public events such as “Two Lights for Liberty: Sip & Celebrate America 250” pair historic settings with craft refreshments to mark civic anniversaries and support local historical initiatives. The Colony House Self-Guided QR Code Tour enables flexible, smartphone-accessible exploration of an iconic colonial landmark. Newport History Tours emphasizes factual storytelling anchored in documented places and artifacts across the city. Presentations reference local sites including Station 5 and the Common Burying Ground, and they incorporate accounts of entrepreneurship, religious diversity, civic unrest, and community resilience. The approach balances scholarly research and engaging narrative to make Newport’s history approachable for families, independent travelers, and history enthusiasts. Visitors seeking concise, site-specific historical context, thematic depth, or seasonal evening programming will find a range of options tailored to different interests and mobility levels. Bookings and schedules are available on the company website directly.
Book with Newport History Tours