Heritage Farm Museum & Village

Holiday Market 9 Dec 2011, 10:34 am

Jerill Vance of Jerill Vance Woodworks brought one of his fine inlaid tilt top tables, a quilt frame and a beautiful hand drawn work of art with one of his wooden frames amongst other goodies of course.  But these caught my eye right off and his work is stunning.

John Kessinger, of Revolutionary Road, is a cooper which is a person highly skilled in crafting wooden buckets, was accompanied by his lovely wife had an inviting display of his water buckets, churns, and her pretty boxes adorned with lace, hand sewn stocking and several other cuties. 


Charlie Bradley and his wife Evelyn, loyal demonstrators at Heritage Farm can be seen frequently during various Way Back Weekends. They both continue to earn 'best costume' in my opinion!  Their creative costumes grabs attention no matter what season.  They grace the banner of this blog on the left hand side.   His unique display of implements crafted from iron mixed with other antique wares were most interesting and were sure to attract the history buffs.
 
Quite a contrast from the hardened iron tools to the gifts below which were crafted from delicate strands copper wire into amusing little figures, ornaments and jewelry.  Jimmy Robinson delights customers of all ages with his copper creations. 

Dave Osburn's fabulous glasswares are always on display in the new gift shop at Heritage Farm.  You can buy ornaments, jars, glasses, vases, etc. 
Upon exiting Heritage Hall and Holiday Market, one little baby was not pleased with being left behind. 

It is Good to Give, Right? 30 Nov 2011, 8:32 am

Christmas season is here at Heritage Farm and it is Gift Time!  For the final Way Back Weekend celebration, a wonderful Holiday Market will be open in Heritage Hall on Saturday from 10-3.  Talented artisans, many who participated in the past Way Back Weekend celebrations will be on hand to sell their creations.  The weather looks promising with a sunny day, so come on out and find some unique gifts for your loved ones.  There is no admission for the Holiday Market however if you choose to tour the award winning museums, the admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids.  River and Rail will sell their scrumptious pepperoni rolls, coffee, hot cocoa and several sweet items to tease your palette.
There will also be a pottery and spinning demonstration, so bundle up, bring some friends and pop on over to the farm for some wonderful gift shopping.  p.s.  Feel free to print our flyer by right clicking and save to your pictures file.  See you Saturday!

Hot Glass! 15 Nov 2011, 9:43 am

November's Way Back Weekend celebration was all about glass.  It was a lovely day with Autumn's hue's still lingering on but nothing matched the beauitful colored creations that I was about to see as I passed thru the heavy wooden door.

A small crowd was hovering around a woman with eye protectors on.  She turned on a small torch that spit out a hot orange flame. With a stainless steel mandrel and a rod of colored glass she began to form a tiny blob that eventually grew into a gorgeous bead.  Kari Newman, a lampwork glass artist, of Bead Unique was kind enough to be one of Heritage Farm's demonstrators.  Her beads are adorable and each one has a personality of its own.  Her beads were not just balls of glass; she creates tiny birds, mushrooms, cute little halloween figures, candy corn, and a skull, were just a few that caught my eye.  At this point several were gathered around, asking questions while others were looking at beads and one happy person had just made a purchase. With not a lot of room to take good pics, I wandered up to the other glass maker.






Dave Osburn traveling all the way from Maryland was busy explaining the steps in making a small jar. A veteran in the glass industry, Dave was employed with Blenko Glass in Milton for 33 years as a glass designer before he bought Gibson Glass renaming it Osburn Modern Glass.  Now located out of state, this artisan and talented glass blower demonstrates annually at Heritage Farm and continues creating beautiful vases, cups, plates, ornaments, etc.  

I cannot imagine working with the intense heat but Dave masterfully shaped the large glass ball into what will be a glass jar.  it seemed as though everyone watching was mesmorized with his skills and it was hard to take your eye off the glistening clear glass. 


As I glanced around, I noticed a georgeous selection featuring some of Dave's creations for sale on top of a display case.  One buyer was attracted to the sparkling Christmas ornaments.  I am sure her tree will be spectacular this year!
Hot Glass proved to be a wonderful celebration for the Heritage Farm Way Back Weekend series.  Wandering back thru hallway and out the door, I noticed even more people learning about the beads...and I met Mr. Bernard Marshall of Lavalette who makes such cute canes!  How perfect for Thanksgiving!



 As I strolled back to the parking lot, I could not resist visiting a few 'things' on display that were the complete opposite of shiny glass although one sported something similar to a perfect blue glass ball!

One final stop was made though I dared not stay too long, River and Rail Bakery located in dowtown Huntington was the food vendor in the Heritage Farm Vittles Shop and oh my, the blueberry scones were way too tasty as was the huge chocolate chip cookie that I pretended to buy for my husband.  They also had pepperoni rolls, coffee, brownies, and various cookies.  Yummo!


The final Way Back Weekend celebration will be the Holiday Market held the first Saturday in December from 10-3.  Artisans of all types will be there for you to browse and buy before the Christmas holiday.  See you then and have a great Thanksgiving!

Harvest Festival and Country Roads Cook-Off 4 Oct 2011, 9:54 am

Saturday turned out to be a gray rainy day but there was no chill in the air on Heritage Farm!  As soon as I pulled into the crowded parking area and got out of the truck, I could smell the most inviting aroma of a variety of foods being cooked for the contest.   What a perfect day for some warm and hearty Appalachian cooking.  As I passed the Welcome Center, I noticed how beautifully it was decorated with rows of plump pumpkins, some with warts, though most were plain.  The fodder dressed the entrance with a colorful variety of squash and mums gently placed on the golden bales of straw.

Eight competitors could be seen busily preparing their best dishes, some over charcoal, others with a butane burner or a small stack of wood.  Most were seriously feeling the pressure to succeed making the competition all the more exciting for the onlookers.  While waiting for the judges to arrive, then sample each entry and announce the winners,  warm cider was served along with pinto beans and corn bread at the Vittles store on up the lane for those whose stomachs were churning and in need of immediate satisfaction.  The wagon could be heard bumping its way around the farm with the childlike calls of joy rising above the noisy tractor motor evidence of kids spotting the cow, the pig, the donkeys and any delightful visual allowing their spontaneous and happy vocalizations to come forth.


The announcer began to introduce the first competitor to the crowd as three identical plates of delicious cooking was placed before each judge.  I snuck behind their table to get a better view of the wonderful food and immediately wished I could have been a judge as my mouth watered.  After all eight entries were submitted we were able to stand in line and sample the various courses ourselves and then vote for our favorite.  In all honesty, there was no way I could submit a favorite as I truly believed they were all so good.  I was surprised at how tasty everything turned out.  Each competitor worked so hard in making this cook off a delicious experience for all of us.

Awesome Fall Festival October 1st! 22 Sep 2011, 8:26 am

 Hello friends!  Mark your calendars for Saturday October 1st and join us for a food fest!  I cannot wait to sample all of the goodies and talk to the visiting farms and vendors.  Appalachian Music Festival was a wonderful experience and I have videos of each band and lots of photos as well.  Take care and see you in a couple of weeks!

Appalachian Music Festival! 3 Sep 2011, 7:27 am

What WOOD You Do? 10 Aug 2011, 7:30 am

Heritage Farm celebrated another Way Back Weekend this past Saturday showcasing area Appalachian artists who are proficient in crafting with wood. Several artists attended and each was uniquely talented as I gazed at their beautiful creations and tried to do justice with my camera in capturing their true beauty. 
Three basket weavers quietly sat in the corner surrounded by tables of baskets, while a member of the news media snapped their images......The baskets were beautiful and I thought how could one possibly choose a favorite? Gail Hutchinson of Home Grown From the Heart is both a designer and an instructor. She names her creations which adds a personal touch. I guess after one works so hard on a craft, it certainly does deserve a name!
Collen Smith of Cat's Paw Baskets and Karen Buskirk of School Bus Stuff, both located in Huntington, were busy weaving very different creations.  Colleen made the cat tail basket featured on the flyer and Karen made one of my favorites, a sweet little birdhouse.  All three crafters had their own tables full of beautiful baskets. 




The room began to get crowded and I had one more artisan to meet.  Ervin Jones, a Tamarack Artist and a member of Miappa specializes in crafting furniture and woodworking.  He highlights wooden ornaments of domestic and exotic woods on his business card and rightfully so.  The cute little birdhouse ornaments are one of a kind and so very pretty!  But...this wooden bowl that had a 'sold' ticket on it was fabulous.  With its scalloped edges and warm ginger tones I was immediately attracted to this amazing creation.  Oh how I could just see it safely perched on a coffee table filled with potpourri or maybe nothing at all as the detailed veins would be hidden.  He was working on a white vase and upon completion he let me hold the vase which was damp...interesting!  There was another one just like it drying on the table.  Visitors began to gather around and it was important for the artisans to talk with them so I politely left and strolled outside. 


Regrettably I missed the Woods Walk that was scheduled frequently throughout the day.  I am sure it would have been a wonderful walk through the cool woods to learn about the various trees.  I was so busy talking with the artisans that I completely forgot and when I left the building, I was met with a lot of folks headed to the Petting Zoo so naturally I joined them.  Those sweet little furry faces are such a draw.

Youth Fest Was a Fun Fest! 8 Jul 2011, 8:57 am

Heritage Farm celebrated another Way Back Weekend last Saturday on July 2nd and this time it was all about the kids!  Yes, there were two sweet goat kids but the human kids could be seen all over the place having a blast. And, I must admit, I felt like a kid again because I was really wanting to ride the wagon and take the new History Holl'r Tour!


Look, the news media even came for a ride!

Audy was busy driving the old Ford tractor which faithfully hauled the wagon carrying several families on board making their way up the wooded trail, so I wandered to Pioneer Homestead to see what was going on and take some pics before the tour arrived.  Ah, look how cute Audy's daughter is in her pink pioneer dress!  I loved this.  Kate was very becoming in her calico and the two were busy explaining how the settlers cooked over the fire to some visiting families.  Kate prepared pinto beans, spinach, and various breads for folks to sample.  The cabin was dark inside but the flickering flames of the candles cast a warm and inviting glow.

Getting ready for the next group to sample hearth cooking.

Can you imagine how difficult it was to regulate the heat?  I love my oven!

Kate managed to squeeze in a meeting and both are organizing part of September's Way Back Weekend which will include a Cast Iron Cook Off!  Love to cook?  Enter and you might win!

I sat a spell and briefly listened to their plans but soon heard the creaking of the old wagon wheels headed up the holler so I ran across the creek and hitched a ride.  I wanted to see that Mountain Man!  The road was bumpy and although my camera can prevent 'hand' shake, technology is not quite there for complete body shake, so no pictures were clear enough to post... and, we lost a wheel!  Just like in the old days but the wheel was for decoration purposes and thankfully we were able to continue. 

Mountain Trapper Man with his tent and pelts explaining how people survived when they crossed the mountains into our area.

Mountain Man explained all the steps of loading the rifle with powder which was a long process.  Good thing there were no grizzly bears!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

History Holl'r proved to be a fun tour and I was looking forward in petting those little goat boys.  Yellow Goat Farm so generously brought the sweetest little goats for the kids to pet.  I fell in love with the lighter colored baby and so wanted to take him home.  His eyes were full of love for his human friends.  If you enjoy goat cheese (who doesn't?), wonderful smelling soaps, jams and jellies, then Yellow Goat Farm is the place for you.  I did not want to leave that little pen but it was almost time to close the farm so I needed to visit Bee Lady and see what she was up to.
I love bees and Heritage Farm has a hive built into the Hand's On Farm Fun building so children can learn year round about these amazing creatures.  Bee Lady who is Margaret Reid of Reid's Apiary is a professional beekeeper with a large collection of hives in Willow Wood, Ohio.  She and her husband speak at regional beekeeping conventions and meetings and sell beekeeping supplies.  She is the perfect person to learn from and her enthusiasm is contagious! 

A great time was had at Heritage Farm during Youth Festival!  Although the celebration was nearing to close, kids continued to meander about, gaze at the horse, get their face painted, and run in and out of the petting zoo for one last look at the sweet little animals.  Even the 'older' kids continued to browse around.  It seemed they all wanted to stay but the rain began to sprinkle; a sure sign for me to depart. 
We are truly blessed in our area to have Heritage Farm.  It is like a little Williamsburg only an Appalachian version.  Where else can one go together with family and friends in our region, and share an outdoor experience sprinkled with a little history, be surrounded by spectacular scenery, learn and listen, and get a little exercise at the same time?   Oh, and eat too, if you happen to get hungry.   Each Way Back Weekend is held on the first Saturday of the month.  If you love nature, the woods and wood products, be sure to attend 'What Wood You Do' held on August 6th from 10-3.    See you soon!

Youth Festival This Saturday 29 Jun 2011, 8:50 am

Will you be home this Fourth of July weekend?  If so, we've got an exciting day planned on Saturday, July 2nd for kids of all ages.  Come to YOUTH FESTIVAL!  From 10-3 there will be all sorts of neat things to see and do.  My favorite is the new tour called "The History Holl'r".  The wagon will take everyone up a holler.  The Mountain Man Trapper will tell his big story of how he traveled over the rugged terrain to the Appalachian region to trap for pelts.  He stayed on for months until he got enough to sell his furs back East.  More stories will follow as the wagon makes its way past the cave towards the Pioneer Homestead where everyone can sample some Hearth food. 

Yellow Goat Farm has agreed to bring some of their baby goats and sell their awesome cheese and sweet smelling soaps.  The Bee Lady will bring her live bee hive which is always fascinating to see.  The kids can get their faces painted and the Blacksmith will be displaying his wares. Oops, almost forgot, there will be some good food ready to eat in case the kids are hungry! The award winning museums will be ready for browsing and the kids will be able to participate in Hand's On Farm Fun.   A full day, a fun day, a day that will fulfill your expectations.  See you Saturday!

It Was A Wonderful 'Way Back Weekend' 7 Jun 2011, 4:19 pm

'Recycled Beauty' turned out to be a wonderful day!  Folks came from all over and several of the inns were reserved bringing alive a regional interest of how common everyday tasks were done back in Appalachian yesteryear.
Recycled Beauty consisted of historic minded individuals who enjoy demonstrating and sharing their talents with other like minded people. There were spinning demonstrations, quilting displays, sheep shearing and the blacksmith was on hand displaying his wares as well.  Some crafters were set up to sell their creative goodies too. 
The queens of quilting were busy bees all day.  Sandy Skidmore confirmed that not once did she have any down time and was pleased with the turnout.  She taught the kids how to make jewelry, amongst the many other duties she completed while several other ladies brought quilting materials, finished quilts of all types and they all answered questions for those who were curious while working on new projects.   The fabrics were so pretty, and I loved the feed sacks!  The room was crowded but I managed to tiptoe around and photograph the gorgeous works of art. 

As I made my way up the lane, I couldn't help but smile while I watched families walk hand in hand with their children, people of all ages picnicking, and several children exploring the old buildings. One of my favorite views were two little girls pretending to drive an old antique car while their mom quickly captured their image. 
I was in time to see the second sheep shearing demonstration.  Belle, the beautiful mother of Downey and Fluff, was due for a 'trim'.  A young woman, looking extremely capable, sat Belle down and began clipping.  Belle was not really interested in having this done but after a few attempts to escape the loud foreign object  gliding so close across her body, she settled in. I heard the frustrated calls of her sweet little lambs and went up to visit them.   Was this the first time they were separated?  They must have been frightened to be without their mama and continued to call and call.  Their bahaaaaa's sounded so forlorn and full of worry.  Fluff's was of a higher pitch and not as constant.  Finally the deed was done and Belle was returned to her babies.  Audy scattered a bit of corn for all of them which quickly disappeared.
                          Wow, look at Belle now!  She doesn't look much bigger than her babies!

Mama, is that you? You look different, are you okay?

Pretty Mary was shorn earlier.

After watching the shearing, I wandered up a ways to see a tent with beautiful yarns and wool.  In front were two pots each dangling from a metal tripod over smoldering logs.  In one pot wool was boiled with an Osage orange dye and the other was dyed with a purple hue.  How interesting to see first hand how wool was colored.  Kate McComas is the area's most talented spinner and is very knowledgeable about the process of how the wool is cleaned and prepped for the dying process.  She spins her yarns with expert hands as you can see in the pictures.  Don't those pretty skeins make you want to learn to knit?

On my way back, I was met with the sweet notes of a violin filling the air with a nostalgic tune, beckoning me towards the large white tent.  Nothing is sweeter than a violin or' fiddle' as some would say!  I loved the blacksmith and his family's period dress and could not resist taking a photo.  The displays were eye catching and the pewter pieces were my favorite. 
Some of the crafters were settled in the shade keeping cool under the protective eaves of the new Welcome Center while demonstrating their spinning and sewing.  It thrilled me to see a younger generation keeping the old ways alive.  I was informed that there are quite a few in our area which is wonderful to know. 
Heritage Farm's Way Back Weekend series is truly a special gift for the public.  The Perry's and their helpful friends diligently bring the Appalachian ways back to life one Saturday each month with a different theme.  The clock ticks backwards while you meander around the farm and it seems as though you gently soak in what it really took to live in this area over a century ago.  These celebrations are up front and personal...you can touch the newly sheared wool, hear the animals call, watch delicate fingers spin their magic or stitch bits of fabric into stunning designs.  It was awe inspiring to feel the spirit of these present day pioneers subtly educating and welcoming each visitor while explaining their craft.  Heritage Farm's 'Way Back Weekends'  allow a new appreciation to come forth for the hard working generations long gone.  Be sure to visit July 2nd for the 'Youth Festival' celebrating hands on farm fun. I am sure the kids will love it!