For centuries, the bake oven was the heart of the homestead kitchen, providing families with fresh bread and baked goods on a weekly basis. From preparing the fire to testing the heat, baking in a traditional wood-fired oven was both an art and a science. Join us as we demonstrate how early American families used […]
Sauerkraut was an important staple in the early Pennsylvania German diet and a source of vital nutrients. See a special demonstration on sauerkraut preparation. Date: Thursday, July 31st Time: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Fee: Included with tour admission
Watch the sparks fly during this blacksmithing highlight and learn how iron tools were made on a 19th-century farm. The blacksmith was a vital tradesperson, crafting and repairing everything from hinges and hooks to plow parts and nails. Discover how a coal forge, anvil, and hammer were used to shape red-hot iron into useful items. […]
Learn how rope was made in the 1800s. A simple-seeming but important item on any farm and traditionally made from hemp, the rope was used for many different tasks. At one time in the United States, a farmer was expected to have a certain amount of his crop in hemp as it was needed to […]
The schoolmarm will be holding class in the One-Room School. Participate as “students” and see how your grandparents learned their three Rs (reading, writing & arithmetic) with all grades (1st through 8th) in one room. Date: Thursday, August 14th Time: 10:00am – 3:30pm Fee: Included with tour admission Instructor: Bonnie Scott This is a special […]
For centuries, the bake oven was the heart of the homestead kitchen, providing families with fresh bread and baked goods on a weekly basis. From preparing the fire to testing the heat, baking in a traditional wood-fired oven was both an art and a science. Join us as we demonstrate how early American families used […]
For centuries, the bake oven was the heart of the homestead kitchen, providing families with fresh bread and baked goods on a weekly basis. From preparing the fire to testing the heat, baking in a traditional wood-fired oven was both an art and a science. Join us as we demonstrate how early American families used […]
For generations, children on the farm found creative ways to make their own toys from simple, natural materials. One beloved example is the corn husk doll—a handcrafted figure made from the dried leaves of a corn cob. At Quiet Valley, we demonstrate how these traditional dolls were made using time-honored techniques passed down through the […]
For centuries, the bake oven was the heart of the homestead kitchen, providing families with fresh bread and baked goods on a weekly basis. From preparing the fire to testing the heat, baking in a traditional wood-fired oven was both an art and a science. Join us as we demonstrate how early American families used […]
Learn about a traditional paper craft, the German Folded Paper Star! Also known as a Froebel Star, this simple craft would be made for decorations at Christmas time. Date: Tuesday, June 23rd Time: 10:00am – 3:30pm Fee: Included with tour admission Instructor: Karin Wood
Rye straw is a practical material for storage baskets because it discourages rodents and other pests. In the hands of a craftsman, it also makes beautiful baskets as well as hats. A bee skep is another item that for many years was commonly made out of straw. Date: Thursday June 25th Time: 10:00am – 3:30pm […]
The Quiet Valley Fibershed is a youth-led initiative dedicated to exploring the history and practice of fiber arts. Participants learn traditional skills such as wool processing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, and other textile crafts while gaining a deeper understanding of the connection between agriculture and clothing production. Throughout the summer, members of the Fibershed work […]