About Us
& Our School

Eweniversity
Book a Room
Shepherd Industries Shop
Event Venue
History

Nome, ND
1916

The Nome Schoolhouse was built in 1916 and the gym added in 1949. Many children, teachers and parents went through these halls sharing years and years of memories.  With the general decline of rural population in North Dakota, the enrollment at the school became smaller and smaller. As a result, the high school was closed in 1966 and the elementary school in 1970. The pupils were sent to Fingal, Enderlin and Kathryn schools. The school building was sold and used for storage.  The school district dissolved in 1972. After several owners and many years Teresa and Chris of Shepherd Industries, LLC purchased the building and surrounding land in 2018. After a 3 year restoration the school reopened as a Fiber Arts Retreat Center/Event Center/Boutique Hotel in 2021.

Your Hosts

Chris Armbrust & Teresa Perleberg

Dakota Fiber Mill was founded by Chris Armbrust and she has been making yarn and roving from sheep, alpaca, goat, camel, Bison etc since 2010. A collaboration with 4 NDSU engineering students brought a felting machine to the mill in 2017, and all waste and short fibers are felted into a variety of products.  The mill also has a line of yarn called Dakota Spun. The Mill moved from Chris’s farm by Kindred, ND to the lower level of the Nome Schoolhouse in 2021. Mill tours can be scheduled by contacting us.
 
Bear Creek Felting founded by Teresa Perleberg has been in business since 2008. Teresa designs and sculpts 3D needle felted sculptures using the wool from her flock of sheep. She has also designed DIY Needle Felting Kits that include instructions and all the materials to help others learn how to Needle Felt. In 2017 Teresa launched an online Needle Felting Academy where members have access to a full library of Needle Felting courses and personal help from Teresa. In 2017 Teresa and Chris developed the Bear Creek wool felting cushion, a natural needle felting work-surface. Teresa is a shepherd to 250 sheep by Fort Ransom, ND.
 
Teresa and Chris have brought their businesses together and formed Shepherd Industries, LLC. They purchased the Nome Schoolhouse in 2018 to house their current businesses, as well as a retail store showcasing their products, classrooms for makers of all kinds, fiber animals on site, Boutique hotel, in house chef and Event Center. A beautiful setting for retreats, weddings, graduations, reunions and a relaxing place to get away. Follow their adventure on Facebook and EweTube !
 
The Nome Eweniversity Non-Profit is also housed in the school to provide a rural, inclusive, farm to needle experience that educates and inspires future makers, artists and growers.

2018

2019

2021

In the News

WDAY

WDAY – 2022 by Kevin Wallevand

Abandoned 100-year-old schoolhouse has been brought back to life

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has honored three projects nationwide and the restored and preserved Nome Schoolhouse in Barnes County has been given a huge honor.

‘We knew this day would come’: 115-year-old Nome Schoolhouse reopens

The 115-year-old Nome schoolhouse is reopening after a 3-year project to restore the rundown building, spearheaded by Chris Armbrust and Teresa Perleberg.

By Kevin Wallevand July 01, 2021