Founded in 2019, HatchSpace was conceived as a gathering place to support fine woodworking.
In the summer of 2017 two woodworkers who were strangers to each other sat down in a noisy cafe in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Hooked up by a mutual friend, they were there to talk about opening a gallery of fine woodworking to show-off the best of the best of Vermont woodcraft.
Greg Goodman, a sought after master cabinet builder and furniture maker, and Tom Bodett, former Alaska housebuilder, woodworker, radio personality, and author, quickly agreed to explore the opening of a fine woodworking gallery in downtown Brattleboro.
Two years later the doors were opened at HatchSpace, a five thousand square foot nonprofit woodworking school, shop and gallery in downtown Brattleboro. Greg served as the organization’s first executive director and Tom Bodett as president of the board of directors – all dedicated to the mission of instilling an appreciation for the work of human hands and the lives behind them.
Covid shut our effort down
For just over a year HatchSpace ran classes and built a strong community around the joy and dignity of woodworking. Then, like so many other arts and culture organizations, the global Covid-19 pandemic forced us to close our doors in April 2020.
Despite the hardship and loss, the pandemic created time to think, and think hard. About what we really want to be, both locally and as an inspiration to rural communities across America.
We realized that, to maximize our impact in the southern Vermont region, we had to think differently about who we serve and what we do. And to be sustainable, we had to dream a lot bigger.
Our rebound in 2021
HatchSpace founder and president Tom Bodett facilitated the purchase of a 30,000 SF building in downtown Brattleboro dubbed “High Street and Green.” With 8,000 SF of space under long-term lease agreement, HatchSpace re-opened in the fall of 2021.
Since re-opening we have made numerous upgrades to the facility, acquired new equipment, expanded our course offerings and grown the member community. We have begun to undertake community service projects that deploy our talent in ways that solve problems for our neighbors. And we’re beginning to define ways we can pull what we’ve learned together into a technical assistance program for rural communities across the country facing similar barriers to well-being.
Today it’s our talent, our culture of inclusion and support, and the breadth of capacity that makes us unique. Our community of members, instructors, volunteers and donors are building an irresistible place to learn and share the joy of woodworking.
Join our journey
“It’s so accessible whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced craftsperson.”
Jamie K., Student
Proud to be supported in our mission by numerous individual donors and funding partners that include
