Sugarbush: Hands-on-Heritage - sessions available for both adults and homeschool teens
101 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940-1151
February “Sugarbush”
Maple syrup has roots older than the colonies themselves. We will be discussing early lore, customs, and the process of making maple syrup AND try our hand at cooking down our own sap gathered in Tyler State Park. All materials supplied. Dress warm, as we will be cooking down the sap outdoors.
The Hands-on-Heritage Series
Come to learn a new/old skill! In each of these programs, we will discuss local history in context of the season, and try our hand at some heritage skills to take home to share with our families.
We are offering two options for adult classes- a Monday evening session which allows older children (12 and up) to join their parent/guardian (please note, we cannot be responsible for your child) and an adults only Tuesday morning session.
*PLEASE NOTE- there is now a Tuesday afternoon drop-off class option for homeschool teens (12 and up) in a separate registration listing
Other programs in this Series
September: "An Early American Meal"
This is new this year, we are starting our Hands-on Heritage season off with a seasonal meal made with 18th and 19th century receipts. Experience the tastes of early America while breaking bread with friends with similar interests!
*This option will only be offered to those who purchase the whole season of our heritage classes. Any participating members of our homeschool classes may bring a plus one. Menu and details will be released in August.
October: “The Heirloom Apple”
We will be discussing heirloom apples, their propagation, history and early receipts (recipes). Our class hands-on activity will be pressing cider with local fresh apples. All materials supplied.
November “Early Folk Medicine”
Find out the most common ways that early Pennsylvanians treated ailments while planning and building your own home apothecary. Each person will be given a booklet of common garden vegetables, herbs, and fruits listed with their medical uses. Our hands-on activity will be working on a calendula salve to take home. All materials supplied.
December “Gingerbread”
Do you love gingerbread? So did early America! In this class, we will be looking at early gingerbread molds, English and American customs, and using 18th century receipts to make our own delicious spicy gingerbread! All materials supplied. (bring appetite.
January “Summer Winters and Winter Summers”
Explore how early colonists prepared for, survived, and made merry during the dark cold months of winter! Receipts for early libations, games and handcrafts will also be discussed. Our hands-on activity will be making a pair of mittens, repurposed from old sweaters and woolens. All materials provided
February “Sugarbush”
Maple syrup has roots older than the colonies themselves. We will be discussing early lore, customs, and the process of making maple syrup AND try our hand at cooking down our own sap gathered in Tyler State Park. All materials supplied. Dress warm, as we will be cooking down the sap outdoors.
March “Planning the Natural Dye Garden”
Hoping to get ahead and make a solid plan for your dye garden? We will be discussing the common plants, their colors, and their needs in a garden (or potted plant space). Our class hands-on activity will be charting out your small garden space and planting prepared seeds to take home. All materials supplied.
April “That’s my Jam”
Imagine only eating what you set aside and preserved for the winter. Well, its time for our earliest garden crops to come to the rescue! We will be discussing the earliest foods of the year and try our own hand at making a sweet strawberry preserve- with the help of some the earliest cookbooks! All materials supplied.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 1pm to 2pm