Bringing Colonial History to Life

Description

Make every weekend an event with free historical programming at the Conococheague Institute.
Learn about the 18th century through hands on programming and discover the world of the settlers of America's early frontiers.

Join us EVERY Saturday for the following programs on the hour:

10:00 AM

The Kitchen Garden

Roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty! Learn about our kitchen garden and why they were an incredibly important part of frontier life in the 18th century. Lend a hand to our historic gardener by fetching water from our well, pulling weeds, picking fresh produce and smelling herbs that will be perfect for any cook in the kitchen! Your hard work may be rewarded with fresh seasonal produce.

11:00 AM

At Home on the Frontier

Home is where you make it and for people on the Pennsylvania frontier those homes were made of logs. Join our interpreters in the log home and learn about daily life for the people of the frontier and what kinds of people lived here. Help out around the home by grabbing a broom, polishing our metals, or BEATING the dirt out of some soiled linens. There is much to do and many hands make quick work!

12:00 PM

Garden to Table

In the 18th century, people ate with the seasons. Learn about the meals everyday people made using their kitchen gardens and what was in season. Smell what we have cooking or give the kettle a stir. How would you like cooking a meal in a smoky hearth over a hot fire?

1:00 PM

Making New

Tools break and clothes tear, but this doesn’t mean they are thrown out. In the 18th century many would have had the skills to keep their belongings in good order. Join our interpreters in learning some hands on skills whether that be darning, sewing, mending, repairing or rebuilding. What did it take to keep up with the wear and tear of daily life on the frontier.

2:00 PM

Stylin’ in the 18th Century

The settlers of the frontier may have been thousands of miles from the fashions of London or Paris, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have style. Learn about what it takes to be fashionable in the rural parts of the colonies. Try on the clothes of the era and snag a selfie!

3:00 PM

Pleasant Diversions

Life on the frontier wasn’t all hard work. Gather at our Ordinary and blow off some steam. Learn about the role ordinaries and taverns played in their communities and try your hand at the games table. Join in a song and learn what it means to be a part of a frontier community.