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!

Rainy Days: Best Museum Visits Ever

By: Erin Crissman, Curator I've spent a lot of my life visiting and working at outdoor living history museums. It took me a little while to understand that rainy days are real treasures in the museum season. At first, it might seem like a terrible idea to trek to an outdoor museum in the rain. Most of them have unpaved roads, and since they're outdoor museums, you will probably be outside.

Not so fast! Venturing out in the rain may be one of your most rewarding museum visits. Here are a few reasons why visiting The Farmers' Museum (or working here!) on a rainy day is a privilege.

1) Most people don't want to visit in the rain. But, if YOU visit, you'll benefit from the slower pace and thin crowds.
2) Talking to interpretive staff can be even more fun. With fewer visitors, they're usually able to spend more time with you, sit down and chat, and even help you try out a few new things. 3) In the early fall, and sometimes on these rainy summer days, historic fireplaces are glowing with a toasty-warm fire. 4) Although technically outside, the buildings are very close together, so if you're willing to run between the raindrops you won't even get wet! Stay and play games in the country fair tent for as long as you like. Remember to wear rain boots and bring an umbrella and an extra jacket. I've acquired cute pink rain boots, and more recenty, some rainy-day shoes. If you have a family with small children, bring some extra clothes and hot chocolate for the ride home in case they're a little damp and chilly. Rainy days were, and still are, some of my favorite days at work. Hope you'll venture out to a living history museum on a rainy day, too!