Program & Events

FIRST PERSON PRESENTATION
Friday, January 23, 2009 - 7pm

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 "CCC - The Civilian Conservation Corps," will explore the history of the CCC in Massachusetts including their efforts toward wildlife management, forest improvements and the development of recreational resources. The event takes place Friday, January 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and admission is $5. 

For more information, call the Village at 413-205-5051.

A DAY AWAY IN THE PAST - Children's Vacation Program
Feb. 18 & 19, 2009
April 22 & 23, 2009

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 18 or 19 and April 22 or 23 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
Sun., March 15, 2009 - 11 a.m.-3:00 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
Saturday, June 20, 2009

Storrowton Village Museum swings open its doors Saturday, June 20, 2009, 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.

OPEN HOUSE TOURS: The season continues June 23 through August 28 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.

EARLY AMERICAN SUMMER DAYS
Session I, August 3-7, 2009
Session II, August 10-14, 2009

 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. 

For boys and girls ages 7-12. Hours 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Price $140 per session Registration deadline: July 24, 2009. Discounts: 1st Child: $140 per session. 2nd Child in same family: $125 per session.
Full payment must accompany registration. For a brochure or registration information, call the Village at 413-205-5051 or download a registration form now.

TALES FROM HAUNTED NEW ENGLAND
Friday, October 23 - 7-8pm

Folklore, fact and tales from the darker side of New England history take place Friday, October 23, 7 - 8 p.m. Call the museum for more information. 413-205-5051.
Admission is $5; Children under 6, free

STORROWTON'S WORKSHOPS OF EARLY AMERICAN CRAFTS
Tues.-Fri., November 17-20 - 2-4pm

Each workshop enables you to create a unique handmade item to keep or give as a gift. There is a $20 registration fee to cover instruction and craft materials needed to complete the project. Classes are limited to 12 participants, and held each day from 2 to 4pm. Pre-registration and payment is required by November 13. Call the Museum office at 413-205-5051 as soon as possible to reserve your space.

Tuesday, November 17 - Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton, will reveal his techniques for Making A Gathering Basket.
Wednesday, November 18 - Introduction to Hand-Sewn Quilting - Carol Geryk and Sandy Wyman, members of the Granville Quilt Guild, will teach this class which could result in a pillow top or the beginning of a full-size quilt.
Thursday, November 19 - Sandy Wyman and Carol Geryk of the Granville Quilt Guild share their skill and knowledge as they present an Introduction to Penny Rugs, a folk art style of appliqué.
Friday, November 20 - Creating a 19th Century Bandbox - Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton Village Museum, will lead the group in creating a historic bandbox.

 

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
Sat. & Sun., December 5-6, 2009
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Storrowton Village Museum's Winter Holiday Festival and Eastern States Exposition's FREE Gift to the Community, December 5 and 6, 2009 - 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. 7 - 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wed., Dec. 9, 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.

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