Visit Us
873 U.S. Route One
Woolwich, ME 04579
(207) 442-7938
Store Hours
Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: Closed
At Shelter Institute, we aim to empower people to be doers via knowledge, tools, and confidence to create spaces that enhance their lives and honor the traditions of quality craftsmanship.
A world where homes are built to last for generations, not decades; where owners enjoy the freedom that comes from minimal maintenance and reduced utility costs; where structures appreciate in value over time rather than deteriorate; and where people understand how their homes work, make intentional choices about how they live, and experience the profound satisfaction of creating enduring value with their own hands.
The Shelter Institute story began in the late 1960s during America's first energy crisis, when Pat Hennin built an innovative passive solar home that captured national attention. Despite numerous requests to build similar homes across the country, Pat and his wife Patsy chose a different path—one that would have greater impact. In 1974, fresh out of law school and with a vision for empowering others, they founded Shelter Institute to teach energy-efficient building techniques rather than simply building for clients.
Through the 1970s and early 80s, Shelter Institute grew as a pioneering educational center for sustainable building. In the late 1980s, faced with college tuition needs, Pat began designing and building timber frames for graduates of the Design Build class—expanding from education into production. This evolution continued with the addition of Woodbutcher Tools (now Shelter Tools), creating a resource for quality woodworking tools.
Today, Shelter Institute represents three generations of building knowledge, with family members leading various aspects of the business from education to design-build to tools. What began as a simple choice to teach rather than build has evolved into a comprehensive resource for those who want to create homes that last for generations.
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Since 1974, we've empowered thousands through our accredited building education programs. Our signature in-person offerings include the hands-on Purely Post & Beam class, where students cut and raise a 24' x 24' timber frame in five days, and our two-week Design Build course covering everything from site planning to mechanical systems. For those who can't make it to Maine, our extensive online course catalog includes timber framing fundamentals, SIP systems, tool sharpening, and beyond—delivering the same Shelter expertise with the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
Our design-build division offers an integrated approach to creating timber frame homes and structures that stand for generations. We offer fully custom timber frame design, full engineering services with stamped drawings, custom timber fabrication, and professional raising and SIP installation. Our expertise with innovative enclosure systems ensures energy-efficient, durable buildings with minimal maintenance requirements. Whether it's a custom home, barn, or addition, we bring the same attention to craft that has defined Shelter since our founding.
We only sell tools we use ourselves. Our carefully curated collection represents the finest woodworking and timber framing tools available—from perfectly balanced timber framing slicks and chisels to precision-crafted Japanese saws and specialized carving axes—selected through decades of hands-on experience. What unites our services is our integrated approach to education and practice. The knowledge we've gained over 50 years of building influences the material we teach, which informs the tools we select. Beyond simply selling tools, we share our knowledge about proper use and maintenance, ensuring your investment delivers a lifetime of service.
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What sets Shelter Institute apart isn't just our 50+ years of experience or our comprehensive approach to building education—it's our lived philosophy. We don't just teach building; we build. We don't just sell tools; we use them daily. Every aspect of Shelter Institute is informed by practical experience and a deep respect for both the craft and the people who practice it. We are doers.
Doing things right, not just quickly
Sharing knowledge freely and joyfully
Building for generations, not just today
Fostering independence and problem-solving, unleashing the doer in people
Creating connections through shared learning
Respecting tradition while embracing progress and pushing innovation
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At Shelter, you'll find a team of doers united by curiosity, respect for craftsmanship, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. We often joke that we are a 50 year start up. Everybody on our team is part of the Shelter family and is constantly looking for innovation while maintaining a nod to tradition. Our workplace blends the wisdom of three generations with fresh perspectives, creating an environment where traditional skills meet innovative thinking. A mantra that we have on the jobsite that spans into all parts of Shelter is that we do not feel comfortable if we find our feet or minds standing still.
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"Pat, Gaius, Blueberry, & the entire staff at Shelter were so accommodating. They are clearly experts in the field of timber framing and they have created a 5-day course that is easy to digest and gets the student optimal amounts of hands on experience vs. classroom lectures. It was a blast getting to see the "behind the scenes" operation of Shelter and visiting their family farm. Such a great family and a great learning environment! Thank you for everything - and I feel like part of the Shelter family now. Will be revisiting in the future!"
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At Shelter Institute, we serve those who believe in the transformative power of building—whether they've spent their lives working with their hands or have never picked up a hammer. Our community spans professionals from across the spectrum: doctors and lawyers seeking to connect with the tangible; IT specialists and engineers drawn to precision craft; teachers and artists pursuing creative expression through structure; and C-suite executives looking to balance digital demands with physical creation.
What unites our diverse clientele is a discerning approach to life—people who value quality over convenience, durability over disposability, and empowerment over dependency. They share a desire to understand the systems that support their daily lives and a willingness to invest time and energy into creating spaces that reflect their values.
In our courses, we welcome both career builders expanding their skills and complete novices taking their first steps toward self-reliance. Many arrive having "hardly swung a hammer" and leave with the confidence to undertake ambitious timber frame projects.
For our design-build clients, we create homes that serve as both sanctuary and legacy. These discerning individuals seek structures that minimize maintenance demands while maximizing quality of life—homes that work with nature rather than against it, that appreciate in value as they age, and that free their owners from the constant cycle of repair and replacement.
Our tools division caters to those who recognize that quality implements transform work from struggle to satisfaction—craftspeople who understand that the right tool, properly cared for, becomes a lifetime companion in creation.
Across all our divisions, we solve the fundamental problems of modern building culture: dependency on specialists for basic home maintenance, structures designed for short-term appeal rather than long-term performance, and the disconnection between people and the spaces they inhabit. Through education, quality tools, and thoughtful design/build, we empower our clients to reclaim agency over their built environment and create homes that truly serve their needs for generations to come.
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