Folk School


Welcome...

...to the Porcupine Mountains Folk School. The Porcupine Mountains Folk School is located in the historical carpenter shop building in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan’s largest state park and premier wilderness area. The building is ADA handicapped accessible.
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Our Mission

Inspiring creativity, lifelong learning, and appreciation of the natural environment and cultural heritage in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Our Vision

Supporting the preservation of Park resources as it operates in historical facilities within the Park, the Folk School will offer diverse classes that students from local communities and visitors to the Park will find attractive. Students’ will experience hands-on workshops that connect to the natural environment and the cultural heritage of the Park and the Lake Superior region.

Our Goals

  • Create a supportive non-competitive environment where students become lifelong learners.
  • Enhance each student’s park experience and appreciation through creative expression.
  • Promote and preserve traditional knowledge, arts, skills, and stories from the Lake Superior region
  • Support and promote learning across generations and community building with creative and meaningful opportunities.

Did You Know?

You can also register for classes by mailing a check to Friends of the Porkies, P. O. Box 221, Ontonagon, MI 49953. Include a note with: your name, email address, mailing address and phone number. Workshops do fill up. We recommend registering online by clicking on “Events & Classes” at the top of this page and then clicking on a specific class.

We are always looking for new workshops to offer at the Folk School. To become an instructor fill out and submit the web form or send a letter to Friends of the Porkies, P. O. Box 221, Ontonagon, MI 49953. Include this information in the letter: your name, your email address, your telephone number, and a description of the class you are proposing to teach. A member of the Folk School Committee will send you an instructor application.

Class fees are kept affordable through sponsorship dollars from generous donors. To become a donor go to "How You Can Help" and select “Donations”.  Click "Make a General Donation Online", select a donation level and then select "Porcupine Mountains Folk School" from the drop down "Earmark Your Donation" list. If you prefer, you can mail a check to P. O. Box 221, Ontonagon, MI 48853.