Daniel Boone Homestead hosts Children’s Day May 5
Children will be able to experience colonial life with interactive learning and exploration during Children’s Day at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Exeter Township on May 5 from 12 to 4 p.m.
The fun-filled afternoon features hands-on activities and demonstrations for children and their families at the birthplace of the famed frontiersman Daniel Boone, born in 1734. Children will have the opportunity to learn more about Daniel Boone’s childhood in the Oley Valley and participate in various 18th-century, hands-on activities such as textile processing, candle dipping, quill pen writing, butter making, and more.
Children will learn about Daniel’s mother Sarah Boone and her famous butter and cheese as they explore the spring cellar and smokehouse. Volunteers will talk about food preservation and children will have a chance to help make butter and tend the Homestead garden.
Tours of the Boone House and the Bertolet Log House will be offered throughout the day. At the Bertolet Log House, children will be able to explore animal furs and skins and play with colonial toys and games. Children will also be able to enjoy a colonial dancing demonstration and learn a few simple steps.
Throughout the afternoon, volunteers will teach children how to write with a quill pen and dip candles as they learn about handwriting, schooling, and lighting in the 18th century.
Families will also learn about textile processing in the 18th century and about Daniel’s father’s profession as a weaver. The Hopewell Quilters will provide a demonstration and fun hands-on activity for children. Visitors can also watch spinning and wool dyeing demonstrations and try carding wool.
Admission fees are adults $10, seniors (65+) $8, youth (6-17) $5. Children age 5 and younger and DBHA members are free. No pets (except service animals) and no smoking. For more information, visit www.thedanielboonehomestead.org and Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook. The event is sponsored and run by The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.
Basket-making
The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates will host a basket-making workshop at the Daniel Boone Homestead on Sunday, April 28.
Led by Vicky Heffner, the workshop will take place in the Wayside Lodge at the Daniel Boone Homestead. Participants will get to make a Krista’s Oval Basket. Participants are asked to bring the following: a bucket, 10 spring clothes pins, a towel, a flathead screwdriver, a ruler or tape measure, old pair of scissors. If you do not have some of the items, extra supplies and; tools will be provided. Note, plastic clothespins will not work for this project.
Registration is required for the workshop. A form can be obtained by emailing thedanielboonehomestead@gmail.com. The cost for Daniel Boone Homestead Associate members is $40 and for non-members $45. All proceeds go to support the Historic Daniel Boone Homestead. Checks can be made out to the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates and mailed to Daniel Boone Homestead Associates, 400 Daniel Boone Road, Birdsboro, PA 19508. Space is limited to 15 participants. Register by April 21.
For more information about this and other programs at the Homestead, visit www.thedanielboonehomestead.org and Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook or call 610-5824900. This program is sponsored and run by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.