JUNE 8 – 14 : HAYING IN AMERICA
The Shenandoah Valley was an important center of livestock and wheat production in the early 19th century. Farmers needed to raise food for the livestock and that required cutting hay several times a year. Before mechanical equipment was developed this was all done by hand. Often farmers would help each other with haying, and farms prepared lots of food to feed the volunteer work crews.
Come out to the 1740s and 1820s American Farms and try your hand at mowing with a scythe. Also, we’ll still be haying in Ireland this week as well as it was a bit too rainy last week to complete the mowing!
The Mount Tabor log Church is now officially open! After more than 2 years of work disassembling, transporting, repairing, and rebuilding, this mid-19th century structure is now ready for Museum visitation! You can find the church on the hill above the 1820s American Farm.
Highlighted Activities Throughout The Week
Monday (June 8)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Haying while the sun is shining!
- 1700’s German Farm: Spinning (2:00-4:00)
- 1740’s American Farm: Haying
- Mount Tabor Log Church: NEW EXHIBIT is open
Tuesday (June 9)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Grinding oats (10:00-12:00); Weaving (2:00-4:00)
- Early American School House: The Schoolmaster is in!
Wednesday (June 10)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Haying (2:00-4:00)
- 1700’s Irish Forge: Dump Cart reassembly; Making field hoes & andirons
- 1600’s English Farm: Fence repair
- 1700’s West African Farm: Mud puddling
Thursday (June 11)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Haying (10:00-12:00); Spinning (2:00-4:00)
- 1700’s Irish Forge: Dump Cart reassembly; Making field hoes & andirons
- 1700’s German Farm: Haying and vineyard work
- 1820’s American Farm: Woodworking
Friday (June 12)
- 1600’s English Farm: Foodways (10:00-2:00); Cleaning (2:00-4:00)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Foodways (10:00-2:00); Cleaning (2:00-4:00)
- 1700’s Irish Forge: Dump Cart reassembly; Making field hoes & andirons
- 1700’s German Farm: Foodways (10:00-2:00); Cleaning (2:00-4:00)
- 1820’s American Farm: Foodways (10:00-2:00); Cleaning (2:00-4:00)
- 1850’s American Farm: Foodways (10:00-2:00); Cleaning (2:00-4:00)
Saturday (June 13)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Haying (10:00-12:00); Weaving (2:00-4:00)
- 1700’s Irish Forge: Dump Cart reassembly; Making field hoes & andirons
- 1600’s English Farm: Baking (10:00-2:00); Washing dishes (2:00-4:00)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Haying (10:00-12:00); Weaving (2:00-4:00)
- 1820’s American Farm: Haying (10:00-12:00 & 3:00-4:00); Foodways (1:00-3:00)
- 1850’s American Farm: Foodways (1:00-3:00)
Sunday (June 14)
- 1600’s English Farm: Foodways (10:00-2:00)
- 1700’s Irish Farm: Haying
- 1740’s American Farm: Haying (10:00-12:00 & 2:00-4:00)
- 1850’s American Farm: Games in the yard
* Want to see it all? Consider getting an Annual Pass so you can come as often as you wish to see the things that interest you the most! It pays for itself after just 2 visits.
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