After canceling, postponing or altering events because of the pandemic, Historic Poole Forge (HPF) is once again planning activities for the community.

The first event will be a spring plant swap set for Friday, April 16. Setup will be at 6 p.m. in the HPF pavilion. The swap will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Participants may bring annuals, perennials, shrubs, rooted cuttings, vegetable plants, seeds, bulbs, vines, trees and houseplants to share with others. The plants should be in containers and labeled with growing instructions if possible.

"People have been coming for years for the plant swap. We have local neighbors and people in the community," said Dawn Ekdahl, HPF executive director. "We have a lot of people who bring really nice plants from their gardens that you may not find anywhere else - heirloom or unusual or expensive. If they have more than they need, they pot them and bring them. We have some nice surprises." She noted that local nurseries have also been known to donate annuals for the plant swap that people may take home with them.

As people arrive on the day of the event, they will be directed to tables where they can place thier plants. theables will be marked with different categories such as sun perennials, shade perennials and herbs. "At 6:30 p.m. when the tables are full, I ask everyone to pick their one favorite plant that they really want," Ekdahl said. "Once we do that, people can help themselves. Generally we ask people to take as many (plants) as they brought. If there are leftovers, it's anybody's game."

The 2020 spring plant swap at HPF was canceled because of the pandemic, but the fall plant swap did take place last September. "It's a nice way to share, and sometimes when you find who you got the plants from, you can go back and talk to them," Ekdahl said. "It's nice a way for people to share their gardens with one another."

Following the plant swap, the next event at HPF will be the annual Children's Trout Derby set for Saturday, April 24. Registration will be from 8 to 9 a.m., with fishing slated for 9 a.m. to noon. The free event will be held rain or shine.

Age categories will be ages 4 to 8 and ages 9 to 12. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Prizes will be given out for both age categories.

Beartown Sportsman's Association will assist with the derby. The association will host its own derby on Saturday, May 1, and the community is invited to attend.

Finally, HPF will host a photography show in the mansion on Sunday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The display will showcase local photographers, and admission is free.

For more information about any of the events, call 484-797-5302 or visit http://www.historicpooleforge.org or http://www.facebook.com/pooleforge.