You are here: Home / At The Museum: June 8-14

At The Museum: June 8-14

Mowing with a scythe was the preferred method of harvesting hay

Come out and try your hand at mowing with a scythe

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 exhibit is now open

The Mount Tabor Log Church exhibit is now open on the hill above the 1820s American Farm

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

A cart repair and repainting is nearing completion at the Irish Forge

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
Weaving in Ireland

Weaving in Ireland

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)
Ready to mow!

Ready to mow!

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.