April || May || June || July || August || September || October || November || December || January || February || 2008 Events July Every Tuesday July 1 - August 26 Time Travel Tuesdays - Lend a hand with 19th century chores and past times in the farmhouse. There's plenty of work for every age! 4 Old Vermont 4th - A family celebration featuring the reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon, historic debates, making 1890 flags, Presidential silhouettes, and Uncle Sam bookmarks, spelling bee, ice cream and butter making, traditional hand-on activities, plus horse-drawn wagon rides. 9 Programs for Preschoolers: You're a Grand Old Flag 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Sing along to this popular song written in 1906 and enjoy the illustrations by Vermont artist Warren Kimble. Make your own "stars and stripes" and parade around the oval in celebration of our nation's birthday. We'll enjoy the perfect summer snack: ripe, juicy watermelon! Members $3 per person, Non members $5 per person. To register: 802-457-2355. 12 Children's Day - Our 23rd annual farm celebration designed especially for children. Farm animal programs, historic games, spellings bees, ice cream and butter making, traditional hands-on activities plus horse-drawn wagon rides. 16 Programs for Preschoolers: Mrs. Fickle's Pickles 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Discover how much Mrs. Fickle likes her pickles in this delightful rhyming and repeating book that takes us through the growing season. Visit the heirloom garden and plant a seed to take home. For our snack, we will enjoy cucumbers, of course! Members $3 per person, Non members $5 per person. To register: 802-457-2355. 20 25th Anniversary Celebration - Traditional music performances, farm programs and activities; guest speaker Governor James Douglas. Free Admission. 23 Programs for Preschoolers: The Cow in the House 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. The noisy old house is keeping the man from sleeping, so he is advised to bring a cow in the house. Visit the farm animals and listen to the "noise" they make: was the man given good advice? We will act out the story to hear the sounds for ourselves, then enjoy a noisy snack! Members $3 per person, Non members $5 per person. To register: 802-457-2355. 26 Cow Appreciation Day - Dairy education programs, judging Jerseys with the farm manager, butter and ice cream making. Have fun with dairy trivia in the Cowlege Bowl competition for all ages, make a cow pizza, and more. 30 Programs for Preschoolers: The Wonderful Hay Tumble 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Enjoy this fun tale about a hill farm family as we read the book The Wonderful Hay Tumble, then explore the museum's Farm Life Exhibits to see how farm families lived 100 years ago. Make a Vermont farm fan to keep you cool during the heat of the summer and share a snack of "tumbles" - popcorn, raisins, and M&M'S® all tumbled together. Members $3 per person, Non members $5 per person. To register: 802-457-2355. TOP August Every Tuesday through August 26 Time Travel Tuesdays - Lend a hand with 19th century chores and past times in the farmhouse. There's plenty of work for every age! 1 - September 21 Quilt Exhibition - Our 22nd annual juried exhibition of colorful and exquisitely designed quilts made in Windsor County, Vermont. Quilting demonstrations and activites for children and adults. 3 Sheep Herding with Border Collies - Watch as these amazing shepherds demonstrate their instincts and training as they herd sheep in the farm fields. Meeet a ewe from our southdown flock, learn how we care for her, and why this breed was important on this farm a century ago. Spinning, natural dyeing, and weaving. 17 Antique Tractor Day - See tractors dating from the 1930s to the 1960s and learn more from the folks who restored them; don't miss the tractor parade at 1:00 p.m. to see the machines running, witha a narration of interesting and historic background details. Tractor-drawn wagon rides around the Billings fields and tractor-related activities for children. Plan to have lunch at the Teago Volunteer Fire Department tent. TOP September 1 Labor & Leisure Work and fun on the farm! Horse-drawn wagon rides, building a split rail fence, ice cream making, and laundry the old-fashioned way - using a washboard and wringer! through September 21 Quilt Exhibition - Our 22nd annual juried exhibition of colorful and exquisitely designed quilts made in Windsor County, Vermont. Quilting demonstrations and activites for children and adults. 6, 13, 20, 27 Traditional Craft Saturdays - Explore a series of Vermont crafts from experienced crafters, learning about the history, process, and uses of these utilitarian and decorative items through hands-on learning. TOP October 4 & 5 Pumpkin & Apple Celebration - Hands-on activities and educational programs highlight these two versatile fall crops. Apple and pumpkin displays, apple tasting, trivia contest, cider pressing, pruning and grafting demonstrations in the farm orchard, apple scavenger hunt, pumpkin races, apples-on-a-string, making pumpkin ice cream, and cooking apple butter in the farmhouse and the annual pumpkin sale. 11 & 12 Harvest Weekend - A Top 10 Fall Event! Join in this celebration of the Vermont harvest featuring a traditional husking bee and lively barn dance; hands-on activities including cider pressing, shelling corn, putting food by, threshing grain, and historic games; spiced cider & homemade doughnuts! First day of our annual pumpkin sale! 18 & 19 Wagon Ride Weekend - Capture the brilliant colors of a Vermont autumn on a 30-minute narrated, horse-drawn wagon ride around the Billings Farm fields and along the scenic Ottauquechee River; farm programs and activities. 26 A Family Halloween - A not-so-scary celebration designed especially for young children. Doughnuts on a string, pumpkin carving for families, historic games, Halloween tales, plus horse-drawn wagon rides. Costume parades at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Children in costume accompanied by an adult admitted free! 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. TOP November 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 Wagon Ride Weekends- Horse-drawn wagon rides; visit the dairy farm and farmhouse; programs and activities. 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. 28 - 30 Thanksgiving Weekend - Visit with costumed guides as they prepare a traditional 19th century Thanksgiving meal in the 1890 Farm House. Engaging activities for every age and programs in the parlor each day. Enjoy a traditional homemade treat and a horse-drawn wagon ride. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. TOP December 6 & 7 Christmas at the Farm 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - A Top Winter Event! Visit the authentically decorated farmhouse with preparations underway for the holiday meal; tour the working dairy farm. Holiday programs and activities, plus making historic ornaments. 12, 13 & 14 Wassail Weekend 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Tour the 1890 Farm House-authentically decorated for the season and make a historic Christmas ornament Traditional music performed in the parlor at noon on Saturday. Horse-drawn sleigh rides offered on Sunday. 20 & 21 Christmas at the Farm 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - A Top Winter Event! Visit the authentically decorated farmhouse with preparations underway for the holiday meal; tour the working dairy farm. Holiday programs and activities, plus making historic ornaments. 26 - January 4 Christmas at the Farm 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - A Top Winter Event! Visit the authentically decorated farmhouse with preparations underway for the holiday meal; tour the working dairy farm. Holiday programs and activities, plus making historic ornaments. Traditional music in the parlor on selected days. Horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides, conditions permitting. TOP 2009 Events January 1 - 4 Christmas at the Farm 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - A Top Winter Event! Visit the authentically decorated farmhouse with preparations underway for the holiday meal; tour the working dairy farm. Holiday programs and activities, plus making historic ornaments. Traditional music in the parlor on selected days. Horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides, conditions permitting. January Weekends - Visit the working dairy farm, featuring the Jersey herd, Percheron horse teams, and oxen; tour the restored and furnished 1890 Farm House -- a model of efficiency for its day; A Place in the Land, and Academy Award-nominee film which chronicles the development of the Billings Farm is shown each hour in the theater. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 17, 18, & 19 Sleigh Ride Weekend 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Horse-drawn sleigh rides through the frosty farm fields, sledding with "jack jumper" sleds, visits to the working dairy farm and restored farmhouse, farm programs, and hands-on activities. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. TOP February 7 & 8 - Visit the working dairy farm, featuring the Jersey herd, Percheron horse teams, and oxen; tour the restored and furnished 1890 Farm House -- a model of efficiency for its day; A Place in the Land, and Academy Award-nominee film which chronicles the development of the Billings Farm is shown each hour in the theater. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 14, 15, & 16 Sleigh Ride Weekend - Horse-drawn sleigh rides through the frosty farm fields, sledding with "jack jumper" sleds, visits to the working dairy farm and restored farmhouse, farm programs, and hands-on activities. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 21 & 22 Sleigh Ride Weekend - Horse-drawn sleigh rides through the frosty farm fields, sledding with "jack jumper" sleds, visits to the working dairy farm and restored farmhouse, farm programs, and hands-on activities. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 28 & March 1 - Visit the working dairy farm, featuring the Jersey herd, Percheron horse teams, and oxen; tour the restored and furnished 1890 Farm House -- a model of efficiency for its day; A Place in the Land, and Academy Award-nominee film which chronicles the development of the Billings Farm is shown each hour in the theater. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. TOP May 1 Opening Day of the 27th season - Horse-drawn wagon rides and free ice cream! 3 Plowing Match - Watch as teamsters compete with their draft horses and oxen in our 23rd annual competition. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and the competition runs from 10:30 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m. Visitor plowing with our draft horses, horse-drawn wagon rides, programs with the Billings oxen Harv and Will, and rope making demonstrations. Plan to purchase lunch and snacks at the Teago Volunteer Fire Department tent. 23 & 24 Sheep Shearing Weekend - Join us for the spring shearing of the Southdown flock, plus carding and spinning wool, planting the heirloom garden, historic games, and more. Admission includes our 24th annual commemorative button and children's art show. TOP Billings Farm & Museum Route 12 & River Road P.O. Box 489 Woodstock, VT 05091-0489 802-457-2355 ~ Fax: 802-457-4663 Visitor Information || Special Events || Billings Farm || 1890 Farm House || Exhibits || School Visits || Group Tours || Membership || Museum Shop || News & Publications || E-mail || Home Copyright 2002-2008 Billings Farm & Museum. Photography Copyright Jon Gilbert Fox. 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