What I Did For My Summer Vacation

By: Jenna Peterson, School and Farm Programs Intern

Friday, August 12^th was my last day as an intern for The Farmers’ Museum. Working as the School and Farm Programs Intern this summer was a great chance to really test out my interest in museum education. It also gave me the chance to put into practice all of the theory and ideas I learned in my museum studies graduate program.

I had some amazing opportunities; at the beginning of the summer, I dove right into planning the week-long experience for 5-7 year olds, Down on the Farm. I now know a lot more about what it takes to run a summer camp type program, and just how much communication needs to happen between the different departments to make sure such a program goes off without a hitch.

The geese following our wagon ride during Down on the Farm

For my next big project, I got to write background and structure for several of the Lippitt Farm Walk and Talk lessons. Now the farmer staff can give extra lessons on corn, poultry, and some of the odd crops we grow like tobacco and mangel-wurzels.

The last major project I tackled this summer was rewriting one of our popular school tours, Ox-Cart Man, to align with the new Common Core Standards that New York adopted. These standards are more focused on skills rather than facts, and the new lesson will help teachers and students make the most out of their visit. Although I am fairly certain I can now recite the curriculum in my sleep, I am very pleased with the finished product. I am glad I’ll be around this fall to see the Museum Teachers take it for a test drive.

One last visit to the Children's Barnyard

This summer has been an amazing experience, both for the work I got to do as well as for the camaraderie. If you haven’t yet met the museum’s staff, you should make a point to do so. They are all amazing people, and those that I got the chance to work alongside helped make this summer very special. I want to make sure to thank Mary Kuhn, who tolerated me stealing her desk and computer on a near daily basis throughout the summer. I also had the chance to work next to the amazing Public Programs Intern, Meredith, and I wish her all the best as she travels to Russia this semester.

Finally, I want to thank Keelin Purcell, the Manager of School and Farm Programs. She had only been employed by the museum for a few short weeks when she had an intern dropped into her lap. I have had internships in the past where I spent the whole time answering phones and making copies, but Keelin made sure I had a rewarding experience throughout the summer.

If you are interested in interning with either the Farmers’ Museum or at the Fenimore Art Museum, make sure to check their websites for upcoming information on potential internships. 

Empire State Carousel’s Sam the Bear

By: Mary Margaret Kuhn, Supervisor, Empire State Carousel and Country Fair

After going around in circles for five seasons with the animals of the Empire State Carousel, I have gotten to know the animals intimately.  All the animals have names, and stories as to why they are part of the museum you can ride.

One story that is especially fun to share with our guests is that of Sam the Bear.  Created by William Cooper, Sam tells the story of Waterloo, NY.  You can find Waterloo hugging Route 20 as you drive between Seneca Falls and Geneva.  It is a pretty little town that has a connection to the anniversary weekend of the Empire State Carousel – Memorial Day.  In fact this year marks the 145^th time Memorial Day has been honored in Waterloo, and Sam is part of the celebration’s logo.

If you look at Sam, you might wonder why he holds a flag from the American Revolution in his jaws.  The current town was founded in the year 1792 by Mr. Samuel Bear – get it? 

Sam’s saddle blanket has a map of the Finger Lakes, with a medallion marking his home town.

If you see the items Sam carries behind his saddle, a canteen, bedroll & saddlebag – they are reminiscent of those carried by Civil War soldiers.  Waterloo held the first formal observance of Decoration Day on May 5, 1866, honoring both Union and Confederate soldiers who had given their lives defending their homes.

Fourth of July at The Farmers' Museum

By: Mary Margaret Kuhn, Carousel Supervisor

The Fourth of July was celebrated at The Farmers' Museum with gusto this year. The weather was lovely, and lots of happy families came to share in the fun. It was my pleasure to bring the efforts of many talented folks together to make a memorable day for our guests. Like many of our special event days, this fun was made possible by a cadre of volunteers who willingly shared their time and talents.

Visitors were greeted at the Country Fair by Martha Duke and Katie Curran taking registrations for the Apple Pie Eating Contest, sponsored by the Fly Creek Cider Mill, who donated the pies and the prize of a $50 gift certificate. Folks could also sign up for an iron skillet throwing contest and a quoit pitch.

Next, our guests found a fabulous puppet show titled "Rabble Rousing" in the blue and white fair tent. Performed five times by Jai and Nancy, the story was about the colonists rebelling against the British government after one tax after another was levied on them.

The ladies researched and wrote the show, made and clothed the eleven puppets and even created the scenery! Nance teaches puppetry in the Theater Arts program at Utica College and generously shared her expertise.

Volunteers John LaDuke, Hannah Blystra and Michaela LaChance ran old fashioned contests like sack races, egg races and wheelbarrow races all day on the green between the Empire State Carousel and Todd's General Store for the delight of young and old alike.

Ted Shuart marshaled the (truly volunteer) militia on the Bump Tavern Green and led the musket salute as Tom Heitz read the Declaration of Independence from the tavern's upper porch. Katie Boardman entertained with her varied repertoire of patriotic songs played on the lower porch for the enjoyment of all.

Guests could quench their appetite and thirst at the new Crossroads Café housed in the William’s Carriage Shed next to the Tavern.  Zeb pulled the ride wagon as Farmer Rick and Ray took turns driving and Doodle Grubb gave his time as the wagon rider.

A highlight came in the afternoon when Garet Livermore announced the name selected for the horse who returned to ride the Empire State Carousel mechanism after 15 years.  Cooper the Colt was chosen from over 500 submissions.  This name was suggested by Osha & Jaia French, Jennifer Evans, Diane Williams & Emily Davidson, Marty Smith, Kevin Carley, Jim & Joan Ford, Siobhan Hayden, Claire Reichard, Dakota Halwig, Jeff Dickert, Ian Garvin & Tracy Olmstead and Gage Halverson.  Our congratulations go out to these folks who will all receive the brand new Empire State Carousel cloisonné bookmark. 

Gage Olmstead and his mother, who were present for the announcement of Cooper the Colt.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to all who did so much to make this a day of fun at The Farmers' Museum!

Five Years of the Empire State Carousel in Cooperstown

By: Mary Margaret Kuhn, Carousel Supervisor

On Memorial Day Weekend the Empire State Carousel will celebrate its fifth anniversary here at The Farmers’ Museum.  I wanted to share some of the history of the carousel with our readers, and I hope that you will come and ride with us.

Gerry Holzman, a woodcarver and retired teacher, developed the idea for the Empire State Carousel in 1982.  With his work and the help of over 1,000 volunteers, carving and painting proceeded until the Empire State Carousel included 21 hand-carved animals, three vintage horses, three bench rides, a vintage spinning Lover’s Tub (now known affectionately as the Mighty Blue Vomit Comet), portrait panels of famous New Yorkers, folklore panels and murals depicting specific historical moments, and the silhouettes of signature buildings from around the state.  The dream of the Empire State Carousel traveling to all 63 counties in New York State was beyond economic reach, but it moved around Long Island among a number of temporary homes beginning in 2003.  The Farmers’ Museum received the carousel in 2005 and put the animals and mechanism in storage.  Work was begun to construct the twelve-sided building to house it permanently.

Altonview Architects of Cooperstown was engaged to design the year-round building.  Fred Wyckoff and Sons did a great deal of the construction. In the first photo you can see the fabulous dropped ceiling that they built to conceal the overhead doors when retracted.  Philip and Wesley Paddock worked on the plumbing, electrical and radiant heating under the tile floor.  The facilities crew of The Farmers’ Museum worked hand in hand to see the building to completion for the Grand Opening which took place on Memorial Day Weekend of 2006.