How long is the workshop?

The session runs about one hour from start to finish, including instruction and finishing time.

What age is allowed to attend?

Guests must be 16 years or older to participate.

Where is the meeting point?

Check in at the Colony House in Washington Square, Newport; admission to the Colony House Holiday Market during the program is included.

Are materials provided?

Guidance, wax, wicks, and a one-page worksheet are included; taper holders and extra candles are available for separate purchase.

Can I buy more candles or holders at the event?

Yes, additional candles and holders are available for purchase during the market and event, though stock may vary.

Is this program accessible?

Accessibility details are not specified here—contact the Newport Historical Society directly for accommodations and accessibility information.

Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Workshop at Colony House in Newport, RI

On a crisp evening in Washington Square, Newport, the Hand-Dipped Candle Making Workshop invites visitors into the Colony House for a slow, hands-on craft that bridges present and past. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, this one-hour class led by Kaela Bleho of the Newport Historical Society teaches participants to dip, shape, and finish a pair of 6-inch beeswax taper candles—small keepsakes that glow with local character. The room smells faintly of honey and warm wax as you learn the mechanics of traditional candle dipping: submerge a wick into molten beeswax, let a thin layer harden, and repeat until the taper takes shape. Kaela Bleho, Director of Digital Collections at the Newport Historical Society, weaves short historical notes through instruction, explaining why beeswax tapers were household staples and how candlelight shaped evening life in colonial communities. Each participant receives guided instruction, a one-page worksheet to continue candle-making at home, and admission to the Colony House Holiday Market during the program. Taper holders and additional candles are available for separate purchase. What makes this workshop stand out in Newport's outdoor and cultural scene is its connection to place. The Colony House sits within Washington Square, an area defined by compact streets and colonial-era architecture, and the workshop’s use of pure beeswax ties the craft to natural materials rather than synthetic alternatives. It's a tactile, small-group experience where the rhythm of dipping replaces the pace of sightseeing and invites a quieter form of exploration. Practicalities are straightforward: plan for roughly an hour, bring a willingness to handle warm wax, and note that guests must be 16 or older. The workshop is especially well suited to visitors looking for a hands-on cultural activity during a trip focused on Newport’s historic core, or for locals seeking a meaningful way to craft holiday gifts. Because the program takes place inside the Colony House, it's an excellent option rain or shine and pairs neatly with a walk through Washington Square or a stop at nearby shops. For photographers and memory-makers, focus on the close-up choreography of hands and wax, the warm amber tones of finished tapers, and the Colony House façade framed by Washington Square. Whether you're a first-time maker or someone returning to a timeless technique, this class offers a quietly satisfying way to bring home something made by your own hands. Because the Newport Historical Society programs occur inside the town's historic core, this workshop doubles as a low-impact cultural outing that complements outdoor activities such as nearby harbor walks and coastal sightseeing without requiring extra travel. It channels the same appreciation visitors bring to Newport's cliffs and mansions into a focused, indoor craft. The result is a compact, sustainable experience that highlights local materiality and hands-on learning.

About Newport History Tours

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.

Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Workshop at Colony House in Newport, RI

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