Program & Events
FIRST PERSON PRESENTATIONS
Each January, Storrowton Village Museum hosts a First Person Presentation, an informative, enlightening program on New England history. In years past, subjects explored have included poetry, war, girl scouting, mill workers and native Americans as well as the portrayal of Johnny Appleseed and Emily Dickinson.
Professional interpretive performers dress in period or appropriate clothing and give a 45-minute tour of days gone by in the Village's historic 1834 Union Meetinghouse.
This season's presentation, titled "A Visit with Lt. Commander Lane Hadley: Civil War Naval Surgeon," will explore the types of diseases and injuries encountered by the men, medical approaches of the period and the techniques and tools used, as well as medications employed. The event takes place Friday, January 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5.
Dressed in period-appropriate clothing, Robert M. Bedard, M.D., of Tolland, Conn., will appear as Lt. Commander Hadley as he takes guests through a combination of a fervent recruiting/Patriot's speech and a recap of the trials and tribulations faced as a naval surgeon during the American Civil War.
For more information, call the Village at 413-205-5051.
A DAY AWAY IN THE PAST - 2008
Offers children age 7 - 12 a chance to step into the 19th century and learn more about Early American Village life. The program is offered February 20 or 21 and April 23 or 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Children dress in period costumes provided by the Village and try their hand at crafts such as candle dipping, quill pen calligraphy, fun and unique craft projects and old-fashioned games. They also experience the uniqueness of a working blacksmith shop where they can apprentice from a master craftsman at the forge. The cost for the one-day program is $35 and children must bring their lunch. Space is limited and reservations are required for this popular program. For information or registration, call the Village office at 413-205-5051.
MAPLE HARVEST DAY - 2008
Sunday, March 9 - 12:00-4:00 p.m. -- This event focuses on the history and folklore of maple sugar making in New England. The Village will offer demonstrations of tree tapping, sumac spile making and sap boiling in the front yard of the Gilbert Homestead; fireplace cooking, basket weaving and wool spinning demonstrations inside. Storrowton Tavern will offer a special maple-themed menu featuring items unique to this special day. Admission is free.
OPENING DAY AT STORROWTON VILLAGE - 2008
Storrowton Village Museum swings open its doors Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to kick off the summer tour season with guided tours of the recreated village and Early American craft demonstrations. The event is free and open to the public. The season continues June 23 through August 22 with guided tours of Storrowton Village Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed Sunday & Monday). Guided tours by costumed interpreters of the 18th and 19th century village includes the Eddy Law Office, Gilbert Farmstead, Schoolhouse, Blacksmith Shop, Union Meetinghouse and Potter Mansion. Admission is $5 and children under 6 are free.
STORROWTON'S ICE CREAM SUNDAYJuly 20, 2008 - Noon-4 pm
Learn how the development of dairies, the ice trade and individual's creativity all came together in 19th Century New England to give us this seasonal treat. Visitors can try their hand at cranking an old-fashioned ice cream freezer first patented in 1843 by Nancy Johnson of Philadelphia -- one of the first women to receive a U.S. Patent. There will also be Early American crafts demonstrated in the Gilbert Farmstead as well as the mixing of "switchel", "ginger beer" and other cooling summertime drinks in the kitchen. The Old Storrowton Tavern will offer items on their menu utilizing ice cream as an ingredient and/or inspired by the theme of the day.
EARLY AMERICAN SUMMER DAYS - 2008
Who said history isn't fun? At Storrowton's Early American Summer Days, children have a chance to try on a 19th century lifestyle for a week. An experienced staff is on hand to guide participants through activities designed to challenge them.
Children begin recreating the roles of their early American predecessors by donning 19th century-style clothing, meeting new friends and learning about life in New England in the 1800s. They will explore Early American crafts and games, basket weaving, hoop and sack races and a variety of 19th century games and craft projects.
Session I, August 4-8, 2008; Session II, August 11-15, 2008. For boys and girls ages 7-12. Hours 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Price $140 per session Registration deadline: July 25, 2008. Discounts: 1st Child: $140 per session. 2nd Child in same family: $125 per session. Early registration discount: $125 if paid in full, postmarked and mailed by May 30, 2008.
Full payment must accompany registration. For a brochure or registration information, call the Village at 413-205-5051.
Click here for downloadable registration form >>> (pdf)
HAUNTED OLD NEW ENGLAND - 2008
Folklore, fact and tales from the darker side of New England history take place Friday, October 24, 7 - 8 p.m. Call the museum for more information. 413-205-5051.
Admission is $5; Chldren under 6, free
CRAFTS FOR GIVING WORKSHOPS - 2008
November dates TBA - Create a gift from the heart by crafting a personally handmade creation with a touch of the past. You will be guided step by step through a 19th century-style craft project. Choose to keep it or give it as a special gift to be treasured now and in the future. Call the museum for more information. 413-205-5051.
EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUENESS
Educational School Programs at Storrowton Village Museum - Specializing in Experiential Learning For Over Two Decades.
TODAY'S MATH IN YESTERDAY'S MARKET
Based in the 19th century Potter General Store, Today's Math in Yesterday's Market is designed to involve each 4th, 5th or 6th grade student in a variety of challenging hands-on exercises which reinforce mathematical concepts, problem solving techniques, and vocabulary while exposing students to 19th century history. General stores of the 1800s reflected the crafts, customs, economy and folkways of the period and have a lot to tell youngsters about rural New England life. Each class starts with an orientation in the Meetinghouse. The class is then divided into three small groups and rotated through three mathematical sessions: "Stocking Mr. Potter's Shelves," "Group Shopping," and a "Geometry Walk." Each session is 40 minutes long, capped off with a brief wrap-up in the Meetinghouse.
LOOK BACK
In our 1834 Meetinghouse, 3rd grade Look Back students are provided with period costuming and given a brief orientation on their roles. Using several restored antique buildings as their learning laboratory, the children are guided through a variety of hands-on activities similar to those which were a part of the 19th century child's workday. Each child should bring an apple. Girls will prepare and cook the fruit over the fireplace, dip candles and receive an introduction to textile arts. Boys will apprentice at the Blacksmith Shop, peg shoes and practice quill pen calligraphy. After lunch, all students participate in a half-hour 19th century class in the Schoolhouse to round out the day and enhance their learning experience.
LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE
Children and adults participating in the Little Red Schoolhouse program are provided with period costumes and given a brief orientation on their roles. Our 19th century style Schoolmaster or Schoolmistress will lead the students through a variety of challenging and fun activities similar to those which were a part of a child's school day early in the 19th century - quill pen writing, spelling bees and math drills. Using copybooks and slates to do their lessons, students will top off their day with old-fashioned games. The children take home their quill pen and copybook as well as a certificate of attendance as a keepsake of their experience. All participants should bring a lunch, if possible, in a basket or tin pail as was common in the 1800s.
GROUP TOURS
Historic group tours are open to any group of 10 or more people. Upon arrival, groups are escorted to our 1834 Union Meetinghouse for a brief greeting and orientation, then divided into smaller groups and assigned costumed interpreters. These guides will lead groups through the Village on a tour of restored shops and houses including a one-room schoolhouse, the Clark Blacksmith Shop, the Gilbert Farmhouse, the 1810 Eddy Law Office and the late 18th century Potter Mansion. They will share stories about the people and families who occupied these buildings in the last century. Questions and comments are welcomed and encouraged. Special craft demonstrations, old-fashioned games, and hands-on activities such as candle dipping add to a memorable day and may be included for a nominal fee. Arrangements for activities must be made prior to your visit.
YULETIDE AT STORROWTON - 2008
Storrowton Village Museum's Winter Holiday Festival and Eastern States Exposition's FREE Gift to the Community, December 6 and 7, 2008 - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join Us For Yuletide Activities For The Whole Family. Tours of 19th century buildings decorated by area garden clubs, florists and designers, seasonal craft demonstrations, musical performances, storytelling, Sweet Shoppe, Caroling & Tree Lighting, Animals to Pet, Ice Sculpting, a visit with a Victorian Santa and much more.
Decorated buildings are also open for Yuletide Open House Tours Mon. - Sat., Dec. 8 - 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wed., Dec. 10, for Yuletide by Lantern Light, 6 to 8 p.m. Each tour is $5 per person; free for children under 6.
The Christmas Shop and Storrowton Village Gift Shop are open during all events. The Gift Shop remains open year-round.