Calendar of Events
The Colonial Farm is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The GateHouse Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
2013 Season
| March 2013 | ||
| March 9 | Saturday 10 am-5 pm |
Estate Sale Closets have been cleared, linens have been pressed, china has been washed, and the jewelry is sparkling as the Farm prepares for it’s first big estate sale of the season! All estate sale items are 100% donated and the proceeds directly benefit the Farm’s educational programs. For more information, e-mail aeberly@1771.org |
| March 23 & 24 | Saturday and Sunday 10 am-3 pm | Spring Clean-Up Help get the Farm ready for the new season! On the 18th century farm, fields and trails need to be cleared, fences rebuilt, and wood moved and stacked. Behind the scenes, there is greenhouse work, wood splitting, cleaning animal pens and even some indoor jobs. Bring work-gloves and dress for the weather. The Farm will provide a picnic hot dog lunch. Families and groups are welcome. RSVP to jengle@1771.org |
| April 2013 | ||
| April 3 | Wednesday 10 am – 4:30 pm |
Farm Opens The Farm ends its winter hibernation and welcomes the public for the 2012 season. The Farm is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10am to 4:30pm, April 3 through December 15. The Farm is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and during inclement weather. |
| April 20 | Saturday 1 pm – 4 pm |
Dairy Day Have you ever wondered what curds and whey look like? Do you know how to wash butter? Join in as the farm wife makes soft cheese and churns butter, and gain a new appreciation for these foods, so precious to the Farm family.. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| April 26 & 27
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Friday & Saturday 10 am-5:00 pm |
Spring Plant SaleThis sale kicks off the growing season. Plants include hardy and tender perennials, annuals and vegetable transplants. Plant Sales continue Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, and at the Gaehouse Shop. Rain or Shine. No admission fee. |
| May 2013 | ||
| May 18 & 19 | Saturday & Sunday 11 am-4:00 pm |
Spring Colonial Market Fair Celebrate spring at the first Market Fair of the season. Dance and sing songs. Purchase herb and flower plants and shop for the latest fashions in clothing, jewelry, potions and lotions from the Seamstress, Millinery and Stillatory stands. Bob for apples, play quoits and other games, and watch a children’s puppet theatre. Order nails from the Blacksmith, or take a fencing lesson. Lunch might be fresh corn or asparagus, roast chicken, sausages and bread. Lemonade and sugar cakes from the Sweets stand and wine or ale from the Tavern provide a break from shopping and the other business of the Fair. Period food, beverages and wares are available for purchase from the many stalls. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| June 2013 | ||
| . | ||
| June 15 | Saturday 1 pm – 4 pm |
Wheat Harvest Planted in early fall, the wheat and rye are finally ready for harvest. Watch the farmer and his neighbors cut the grain, then join them to bind and stack the crop. Find out why more and more of the farmer’s neighbors are growing wheat as a cash crop in addition to tobacco. At the Farm house, lend a hand churning butter, and learn how the farm wife bakes wheat bread.Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| June 21, 22 & 23 | Friday, Saturday & Sunday | Colonial Living ExperienceStep back in time to see what colonial life was really like. Now you can experience a weekend in an outdoor 18th century campground, complete with cooking fires, tents, and the clothing of the day. This program is designed to immerse participants in 18th century life, without compromising health and safety. Approximately 25 participants will spend the weekend in the year 1771. For more information contact scooper@1771.org |
| July 2013 | ||
| July 20 & 21 |
Saturday and Sunday 11 am-4:00 pm | Summer Colonial Market Fair Sit in the shade and savor roast chicken and spicy sausages, enjoy summer dancing and singing, test your water color and writing skills with Mr. Andrews at the Stationer. Muster with the militia and re-outfit your home in furniture from the Cabinet Maker or take a fencing lesson. Only at Market Fair can you catch up on the latest news from the frontier and trade stories while enjoying local ale and porter at the Tavern. Try hands-on crafts such as spinning and shop for goods from the finest merchants in the colonies. Period food, beverages and wares are available for purchase. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| August 2013 | ||
| August 17 | Saturday 1 pm – 4 pm |
Tobacco Harvest All summer the farm family has carefully tended the tobacco crop. The sale of this tobacco pays for their rent and for all those goods not produced on the Farm. Now that the leaves have ripened, harvest time is here. Help the family clean the leaves, and watch how they cut and split the stems. Help gather the cut plants and hang them on tobacco sticks to cure. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| September 2013 | ||
| September 21 | Saturday 1 pm – 4pm |
Pickling Day The Summer’s garden bounty is beginning to dwindle and and the Farm family needs to save some of it for the long winter ahead. Come help the Farm Wife prepare vegetables and other tasty treats for pickling as they show you how to combine salt, water, vinegar and spices to preserve their summer crops. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| October 2013 | ||
| October 19 & 20 | Saturday & Sunday 11am-4:30pm | Autumn Colonial Market Fair Warm yourself by the fire and enjoy the splendor of autumn with crisp local apples, warm savory meat pies and hearty breads. Let Market Fair entertainers, tradesmen and the militia amuse and educate you. Have your fortune told or take a fencing lesson. Allow Mistress Barrow and Mr. John to entice you with their wares at the Dry Goods and the Gentlemen’s Goods stand. Learn to dip a candle or turn a piece of wood on the carpenter’s lathe. Stop by the Tavern for a cup of mulled wine before you begin your holiday shopping at the many tradesmen’s and merchant’s stalls. Period food, beverages and wares are available for purchase. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| November 2013 | ||
| November 16 |
Saturday 1 pm -4 pm |
Threshing Day The Farm Family harvested their wheat and rye in June and it has dried enough to process it for food. Come help them by picking up a flail to beat the seeds away from the stalk and watch the chaff fly away as you winnow the grain. The Farm wife will also be baking bread from grain that was already ground by the miller. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| December 2013 | ||
| December 15 | Sunday 1pm – 4 pm |
Wassail Stand fast, root! Bear well, top! God send us a howling crop! In the dead of winter the apple trees need encouragement to bear well during the coming year. Gather in the Farm’s orchard to wassail the trees with singing, dancing and chants to ensure a “howling crop.” Enjoy hot spiced cider, sugar cakes, a bonfire and 18th century games. Weather permitting – call ahead. |
| December 15 | Sunday 4:30 pm |
The Farm Goes Into Hibernation The 18th century visitor site at The Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run closes for the winter months and will open to the public for the 2014 season on April 1 at 10 am. The GateHouse Holiday Shop will remain open through Sunday, December 29, 2013. |


