Interactive Events Return To Museum

"(Hands-On-History Days) are very popular," said Sheri Brown, workshop coordinator with Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster. Brown noted that Hands-On-History Days began as a day for homeschoolers to visit the museum. "(The event) has changed over the past 19 years to three days that we celebrate in October," she added.

Hands-On-History Days, which were not held or were modified during the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, will return on Thursdays, Oct. 13, 20, and 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. A per-person admission fee will be charged, but Landis Valley Associates members may attend for free, as can children age 5 and under. Groups of 10 or more are required to make reservations prior to attending.

"The whole purpose is to have (the activities) be hands on," said Brown, who noted that the events will be fall themed. One of the most popular places to visit is an authentic schoolhouse, where a lesson based on a fall poem will be taught. "We use McGuffey Readers and historic books for our lesson plan," said Brown, who noted that the schoolhouse was donated and moved to the site from Snake Hill Road in Leola. "(Students) work with a slate and chalk, and they learn elocution, (through what) we call tongue twisters today," she said.

Students will also have opportunities to take part in farm chores from the 1700s and 1800s. "They will stuff a mattress with straw, so they get a true feel for a lumpy mattress," said Brown, who added that bedding was generally changed a couple times a year. "They will learn how laundry was done with a scrubbing board and the old-fashioned-dryer called a clothesline," she added. Students will also learn to build a snake fence, so named because of its zig-zag shape. "The bonus is those fences can be moved quickly," explained Brown.

Organizers have turned a traditional Pennsylvania German folk art into a make-and-take craft for the event. "We will make scherenschnitte pumpkins and leaves they can take home," said Brown, who said that at home, students can enhance their simple fall-themed decorations with watercolors or crayons.

In addition, museum staff members will be provide demonstrations and interpretations in areas such as tavern cooking, blacksmithing, leatherworking, and weaving.

Readers who would like more information or to make reservations may email c-sherbrow@pa.gov or call 717-569-0401, ext. 228.