Press Release

As the temperature takes a tumble, what better way to quell the wintery chill than with the home-cooked comfort of a hearty stew and fresh-baked bread.  The next installment of the Billings Backyard Workshop Series will feature Cozy Stews & Breads with Chef Emery Gray on Saturday, January 7, 10:00AM – 11:30AM, followed by a 30-minute Q & A. 

In the Billings Farm & Museum Learning Kitchen, Chef Emery will demonstrate ways to use vegetables and herbs preserved from the Billings Farmstead Gardens to create a cozy and savory meal.  Starting with a broth or stock that can easily be made at home, Chef Emery will discuss layering flavors and introducing ingredients to achieve a hearty texture and delicious results.  To accompany the stew, participants will be taken through the stages of baking a loaf of artisan no-knead bread from scratch.  The stew and starch combo will be the perfect meal for any day of the winter. 

Billings Backyard is a series of workshops designed to teach sustainable living skills to adult participants and is underwritten by a generous grant from the SpringRiver Private Foundation Trust.  Each workshop includes hands-on demonstrations and concrete steps for incorporating these skills into everyday life.  The session is $15/person, $10/member. For registration and course details, visit tinyurl.com/BBYCozyStews. 

Chef Emery Gray, Farm to Table Manager at Billings Farm & Museum, had a passion for food at a very young age. Seeing the way that people connected through the growing, sharing and cooking of food, inspired her to make a career in the kitchen. She attended The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, earning her Associates Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and her Bachelor’s in Business Management. Traveling the country and the world has translated into a deep appreciation for sustainability of local food systems, and all types of outdoor pursuits year-round.  

Step into Victorian Christmas past and experience the wonder as Billings Farm & Museum is transformed by swags of evergreen, natural décor, and glowing lights.  From December 17 – January 1, 10:00AM – 4:00PM, Christmas at the Farm will bring holiday charm and heartwarming fun to Billings Farm & Museum. 

In the Historic Barn, holiday spirit will come to life with a 12-foot-tall Christmas Tree, an historic sleigh, and rustic grapevine wreaths with glass ornaments, the perfect setting for photos. Traditional nineteenth century decorations will adorn the 1890 Farm Manager’s House where visitors can take a self-guided tour.  To delve into the history of Victorian Christmas, there will be programs at 12:00PM and 2:00PM, a children’s story at 3:00PM, or guests can stop by the barns to Meet a Jersey Cow at 11:00AM and 1:00PM and see the daily milking at 3:15PM.  Guests can step outside into the snow-covered landscape for a light snowshoe or ski along the Ottauquechee River, weather permitting.  Warmed by the crackling outdoor fire, guests can enjoy roasted s’mores and hot cocoa, available for purchase.   

To connect with traditions of the past, guests can dip candles, take-home farm recipes, and vote for their favorite artfully crafted gingerbread house made by the creative Billings Farm & Museum staff.  Voting runs from December 9 – January 1.  For a hands-on cooking experience, from 11:00AM – 3:00PM throughout the holiday weeks, guests can stop by the Learning Kitchen to make a traditional sweet and spiced mini mince pie to take home or savor on the spot. 

On select days, there will be old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon or sleigh rides through the beautiful farmstead, conditions permitting.  Public sleigh rides are included with admission; donations are welcome.  Private sleigh rides are available for booking through March. For information on horse-drawn sleigh rides, visit billingsfarm.org/horse-drawn-rides.   

For unique, local, and Vermont-made holiday gifts for family and loved ones, guests can peruse the Museum Gift Shop located in the Visitor Center Lobby. Billings Farm & Museum partners with local artisans and family-owned businesses to bring to the community agricultural and farm-based products with a focus on education.  From adorable, plush stuffies made from recyclable material and beautifully crafted cow-stamped pottery by local artisan Laura White, to delicious and shippable Billings Farm cheddars, the Gift Shop features a great selection. Admission is not required to enjoy this delightful shopping experience. Members can take advantage of additional savings and receive 20% off Gift Shop items through December 23. Select items, including cheeses, are also available online at billingsfarm.org/museum-shop-farmhouse-cafe.  

On December 17 at 3:00PM, The Woodstock Vermont Film Series will screen Come Back Anytime.  This documentary is centered on the life of a self-taught Japanese ramen master and the community that is built around the food and friendship he provides.  Tickets are available online and for walk-ins as space permits. Billingsfarm.org/filmseries.  

Admission to Billings Farm & Museum includes the Animal Barns, Vermont Farm Life Exhibits, and the 1890 Farm Manager’s House featuring the creamery, the kitchen, and in-home innovations that were considered state-of-the-art for the time. Visitors can meet the farm’s cows, draft horses, sheep, goats, and chickens cozy in the barns. Families can enjoy the Story Walk as page by page, Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost unfolds along the pasture fence. Guests can walk, snowshoe or ski along the Ottauquechee River with views of Woodstock, the East End Park, and the farmstead.  For more details, visit https://tinyurl.com/ChristmasAtTheFarm22.   

Adventure awaits at Billings Farm & Museum with an evening snowshoe trek through the beautiful Billings Farmstead, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a visual journey with the Woodstock Vermont Film Series, and a warm-your-heart cooking class with Chef Emery in the latest Billings Backyard workshop.   

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Woodstock Vermont Film Series, December 31 & January 1  

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. 90 minutes. Rated PG.  

The tiny humor of this stop-motion animated mockumentary will bring big joy to the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater. Get to know Marcel, a beloved character in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection in the smallest corners.  Saturday and Sunday showings are at 3:00PM. Tickets are $15 for all regular screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries or call 802-457-5303.  

Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind, Woodstock Vermont Film Series, January 7 & 8 

Directed by Nora Jacobson. 76 minutes. Not rated.  

Saturday’s screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.  

A visually beautiful film that captures the rural grist of Stone’s heroic career as a poet, mother, and teacher, leaving no question as to why she has become both a Vermont and national treasure. It leaves its viewers inspired, enlightened, entertained, and uplifted. Saturday and Sunday showings are at 3:00PM. Tickets are $15 for all regular screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries or call 802-457-5303.  

Billings Backyard “Cozy Stews & Breads” Workshop with Chef Emery on Saturday, January 7, 10:00AM – 11:30AM, followed by 30-minute Q&A  

There is nothing better than a warm, homemade stew with fresh bread in the winter.  Chef Emery will demonstrate delicious ways to use preserved vegetables and herbs in a creative and cozy meal, including stew and a no-knead loaf of bread.   

Billings Backyard is a series of workshops designed to teach sustainable living skills to adult participants and is underwritten by a generous grant from the SpringRiver Private Foundation Trust.  Each workshop includes hands-on demonstrations and concrete steps for incorporating these skills into everyday life.  All sessions are $15/person, $10/member. Registration and course details are at billingsfarm.org/billings-backyard   

Torchlight Snowshoe, January 13, 4:30PM – 6:30PM  

In this wintry after-hours adventure, Billings Farm & Museum guests can walk, snowshoe or ski around the Billings Farm loop illuminated by torchlight.  The trail meanders along the Ottauquechee River with views of Woodstock, the East End Park, and the beautiful farmstead. Guests can meet a National Park Ranger from the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and learn about local wildlife, the history of the land, and the people who lived here.  Families and friends can warm up by the crackling outdoor fire with complimentary s’mores, hot cocoa, and coffee.  A limited number of adult snowshoes are available to borrow.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. This event is free for Billings Farm & Museum members.  Not yet a member?  Join Today! Billingsfarm.org/join/.  For more info, visit billingsfarm.org/torchlight-snowshoe 

Citizen Ashe, Woodstock Vermont Film Series, January 14 & 15
Directed by Sam Pollard and Rex Miller. 94 minutes. Not rated.  

Saturday’s screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.  

The film charts Arthur Ashe’s personal evolution from Grand Slam champion to global activist against a tumultuous backdrop that included the civil rights movement, South African apartheid, and the AIDS epidemic.  Saturday and Sunday showings are at 3:00PM. Tickets are $15 for all regular screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries or call 802-457-5303.  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend, January 14 -16, 10:00AM -4:00PM  

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Museum will air A Time for Justice, the 38-minute award-winning documentary film by Charles Guggenheim that captures the spirit of the civil rights movement.  The film will be shown daily and included with admission.  Guests can enjoy activities inside and outside throughout the long weekend. Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides will be offered on Monday on a first come, first serve basis.  The 10-minute ride is included with the price of admission; donations are welcome. For more details, visit tinyurl.com/MLKWeekend23. 

Bitterbrush, Woodstock Vermont Film Series, January 21 & 22
Directed by Emelie Mahdavian. 91 minutes. Not rated.  

A portrait of friendship, life transitions, and the work of two skilled young women in the isolated and beautiful landscape of the American West. Saturday and Sunday showings are at 3:00PM. Tickets are $15 for all regular screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries or call 802-457-5303.  

Art & Krimes by Krimes, Woodstock Vermont Film Series, January 28 & 29
Directed by Alysa Nahmias. 85 minutes. Not rated.   

As a convicted felon and celebrated artist, Jesse Krimes turns the spotlight on people still in prison, asking us to recognize overlooked beauty and celebrate the transcendent power of art. Saturday and Sunday showings are at 3:00PM. Tickets are $15 for all regular screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries or call 802-457-5303.  

Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides  

Guests can enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh ride through the beautiful farmstead in winter on select days through the end of February. Public sleigh rides are included with admission; donations are welcome.  Private sleigh rides are available for booking January – March. For information on horse-drawn sleigh rides, visit billingsfarm.org/horse-drawn-rides.  

Admission to Billings Farm & Museum includes the Animal Barns, Vermont Farm Life Exhibits, and the 1890 Farm Manager’s House featuring the creamery, the kitchen, and in-home innovations that were considered state-of-the-art for the time. Visitors can meet the farm’s cows, draft horses, sheep, goats, and chickens cozy in the barns. Families can enjoy the Story Walk as page by page, Over & Under the Snow by Kate Messner unfolds along the pasture fence. Guests can walk, snowshoe or ski along the Ottauquechee River with views of Woodstock, the East End Park, and the farmstead.   

The Billings Farm Volunteer Program is a way to make meaningful connections with the Billings community. Volunteers make new friends, share their enthusiasm for farming, rural life, and history, and learn new skills. There are a number of opportunities and timeslots available. Volunteers will greet guests, give out Billings Farm Cheese samples, assist with crafts and more. To get involved, please visit billingsfarm.org/volunteer. 

There is something for everyone this holiday season at the Billings Farm & Museum Gift Shop. Featuring local, Vermont products and unique treasures, gifts for all ages can be found in the welcoming shop in the Visitor Center Lobby.  

Billings Farm & Museum partners with local artisans and family-owned businesses to bring to the community agricultural and farm-based products with a focus on education.  From adorable, plush stuffies made from recyclable material and beautifully crafted cow-stamped pottery by local artisan Laura White, to delicious and shippable Billings Farm cheddars, the Gift Shop features a great selection. Admission is not required to enjoy this delightful shopping experience. 

Several vendors are also educators throughout the year.  Shoppers can purchase Hall Apiaries Honey from Billings Backyard instructor Troy Hall, beautiful watercolor prints from Artist-in-Residence and instructor, Margaret Dwyer, and photographs by Billings Farm & Museum’s own Education & Programs Manager, Gabrielle Bourassa. 

Products from the farm include Billings Farm’s delicious Woodstock Reserve, Smoked, and Butter Cheddars made from the milk of the farm’s Jersey herd.  The Billings Farm & Museum line of products also includes memorabilia ornaments, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and puzzles, as well as nostalgic classics like Tiddlywinks and Jumbo Jacks.  For the chef, there are tea towels featuring recipes using Billings Farm cheeses.  Gift cards are available for purchase and can be used for programs, admission, and at the Gift Shop.  Gift memberships are a great way to provide a loved one with inspiration, education, and fun all year long. 

The Gift Shop is open 10AM – 4PM November and December weekends and daily December 17 – January 1, except on December 24 and 25.  Don’t miss Museum Store Sunday on November 27th, when all guests receive 10% off any in-store purchases.   

Select products are shippable and available online including cheeses, seasonal mugs and ornaments, and curated holiday gift boxes with “Charcuterie,” “Recipe,” and “Vermont Maple” themed collections.  To send the perfect long-distance holiday hug, visit billingsfarm.org/museum-shop-farmhouse-cafe/.  

Billings Farm & Museum members receive 20% off all purchases whether in-store or online from December 1 through December 23. To become a member, visit billingsfarm.org/join/. 

Admission to Billings Farm & Museum includes the Animal Barns, Vermont Farm Life Exhibits, and the 1890 Farm Manager’s House featuring the creamery, the kitchen, and in-home innovations that were considered state-of-the-art for the time. Throughout December, guests can step into a Victorian Christmas past, and see the site transformed by beautiful lights, natural décor, and traditional nineteenth century decorations.  Families can enjoy the Story Walk as page by page, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost unfolds along the pasture fence. Guests can walk, snowshoe or ski along the Ottauquechee River with views of Woodstock, the East End Park, and the farmstead.  Guests can combine the experience with a memento antique tractor or an adorable stuffie of the farm’s cows, sheep, goats, draft horses, and chickens. 

Billings Farm & Museum will bring old-fashioned cheer to Woodstock, Vermont with family-friendly festivities throughout the holiday season. Experience a holiday wonderland as the historic farm is transformed by the twinkling lights along the pasture fences and the cheerful glow of decorated trees. Inside the cozy Visitor Center and restored 19th century barn, the beams, walls, and windows are adorned by evergreen swags, bows, and natural wreaths. Steeped in holiday charm, December brings Wassail traditions, a peek at Victorian Christmas past, horse-drawn rides, gingerbread houses, and more to Billings Farm & Museum. 

Wassail Weekend, December 9 – 11, 10:00AM – 4:00PM 

As the town of Woodstock celebrates its annual Wassail Weekend, Billings Farm & Museum will feature 1890s holiday spirit. Guests can step into the past, learn about Wassail and Victorian Christmas traditions, and view the authentically decorated farmhouse parlor. There will be candle dipping in the historic barn and a chance to make mince hand pies to savor. Families can warm up by an outdoor fire, purchase a cup of Wassail punch, roast delicious s’mores, and take photos amidst the festive holiday decorations. Voting for the best staff-made gingerbread house will begin on December 9. Billingsfarm.org/events/wassail-weekend-2022/2022-12-09/ 

Christmas at the Farm, December 3-4, December 17 – January 1, 10:00AM – 4:00PM 

Throughout December, guests can step into a Victorian Christmas past, and see the site transformed by beautiful lights and natural décor.  Traditional nineteenth century decorations will adorn the 1890 Farm Manager’s House where visitors can take a self-guided tour. Families can dip candles and take-home farm recipes, or step outside into the snow-covered landscape for a light snowshoe or ski along the Ottauquechee River, weather permitting.  Warmed by the crackling outdoor fire, guests can enjoy roasted s’mores and hot cocoa, available for purchase.  On select days, there will be old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon or sleigh rides through the beautiful farmstead, conditions permitting.  For unique, local, and Vermont-made holiday gifts for family and loved ones, guests can peruse the Museum Gift Shop.  Billingsfarm.org/events/christmas-at-the-farm-7/2022-12-17/ 

Woodstock Vermont Film Series Screening of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Saturday, December 31 & Sunday, January 1, 3:00PM 

The tiny humor of this stop-motion animated mockumentary will bring big joy to the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater. Get to know Marcel, a beloved character in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connections in the smallest corners. The Hollywood Reporter called this film “a total delight. It’s impossible not to see the world differently after meeting him.”  

The Woodstock Vermont Film Series is produced by Billings Farm & Museum and is dedicated to sharing place-based stories of people near and far, engaging our audiences, and inspiring conversations that increase connections with each other and our world. Billingsfarm.org/filmseries/ 

Holiday Shopping in the Billings Farm & Museum Gift Shop 

There is something for everyone this holiday season at the Billings Farm & Museum Gift Shop. Featuring local, Vermont products and unique treasures, gifts for all ages can be found in the welcoming shop in the Visitor Center Lobby. From adorable, plush stuffies made from recyclable material and beautifully crafted cow-stamped pottery by local artisan Laura White, to delicious and shippable Billings Farm cheddars, the Gift Shop features a great selection. Admission is not required to enjoy this delightful shopping experience. Select items, including cheeses, are also available online at billingsfarm.org/museum-shop-farmhouse-cafe/. 

Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides 

Guests can enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh ride through the beautiful farmstead in winter on select days December – February. Public sleigh rides are included with admission, donations are welcome.  Private sleigh rides are available for booking December – March. For information on horse-drawn sleigh rides, visit billingsfarm.org/horse-drawn-rides/. 

Admission to Billings Farm & Museum includes the Animal Barns, Vermont Farm Life Exhibits, and the 1890 Farm Manager’s House featuring the creamery, the kitchen, and in-home innovations that were considered state-of-the-art for the time. Visitors can meet the farm’s cows, draft horses, sheep, goats, and chickens cozy in the barns. Families can enjoy the Story Walk as page by page, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost unfolds along the pasture fence. Guests can walk, snowshoe or ski along the Ottauquechee River with views of Woodstock, the East End Park, and the farmstead.  

Billings Farm & Museum is closed on December 24th and December 25th. 

The 2022-23 Woodstock Vermont Film Series will take viewers on a journey from Japan to remote Idaho, with stops in New York, New Orleans, and home to Vermont. Storytelling is at the heart of the Billings Farm & Museum mission. The Film Series, produced by Billings Farm & Museum, is dedicated to sharing place-based stories of people near and far, engaging audiences, and inspiring conversations that increase connections with each other and the world. 

Now entering its 13th season, the Film Series will open with a Celebration of Film, Food, and Community, on Saturday, November 19. The celebration begins at 3:00PM with a special screening of Come Back Anytime. Directed by John Daschbach, originally from Hanover, New Hampshire, Come Back Anytime is centered on the life of a self-taught Japanese ramen master and the community that is built around the food and friendship he provides. The screening will be followed by a discussion featuring people in the region who bring the Upper Valley community together through food. The reception will feature delectable bites by The Village Butcher, No Reservations Vermont, the Farmer & the Bell, and Billings Farm’s Chef Emery Gray. Drinks and live music by Jim Yeager round out the event. Tickets are $100/person. Proceeds will support the Woodstock Vermont Film Series. 

Beginning on December 31 and continuing through February 19, there will be weekly showings on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00PM in the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater. Tickets are $15 for all regular screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries/ or call 802-457-5303. 

The Woodstock Vermont Film Series 2022-23 Lineup Includes: 

November 19 – Come Back Anytime 

The film presents a window into the lives of self-taught Japanese ramen master Masamoto Ueda and his wife Kazuko, and their scores of devoted customers who have joined them over the decades in making the restaurant an intimate place of community. The screening is followed by a reception, including appetizers, drinks, and live music by Jim Yeager. Proceeds benefit the Woodstock Vermont Film Series. 

December 31 & January 1 – Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. 90 minutes. Rated PG. 

The tiny humor of this stop-motion animated mockumentary will bring big joy to the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater. Get to know Marcel, a beloved character in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection in the smallest corners.  

January 7 & 8 – Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind
Directed by Nora Jacobson. 76 minutes. Not rated. 

Saturday’s screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. 

A visually beautiful film that captures the rural grist of Stone’s heroic career as a poet, mother, and teacher, leaving no question as to why she has become both a Vermont and national treasure. It leaves its viewers inspired, enlightened, entertained, and uplifted. 

January 14 & 15 – Citizen Ashe
Directed by Sam Pollard and Rex Miller. 94 minutes. Not rated. 

Saturday’s screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers. 

The film charts Arthur Ashe’s personal evolution from Grand Slam champion to global activist against a tumultuous backdrop that included the civil rights movement, South African apartheid, and the AIDS epidemic.  

January 21 & 22 – Bitterbrush
Directed by Emelie Mahdavian. 91 minutes. Not rated. 

A portrait of friendship, life transitions, and the work of two skilled young women in the isolated and beautiful landscape of the American West. 

January 28 & 29 – Art & Krimes by Krimes
Directed by Alysa Nahmias. 85 minutes. Not rated.  

As a convicted felon and celebrated artist, Jesse Krimes turns the spotlight on people still in prison, asking us to recognize overlooked beauty and celebrate the transcendent power of art.  

February 4 & 5 – The Automat
Directed by Lisa Hurwitz. 79 minutes. Not rated. 

Saturday’s screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. 

The Automat recounts the lost history of the iconic restaurant chain Horn & Hardart, featuring interviews with Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Colin Powell, and other famous fans. 

February 11 & 12 – Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song
Directed by Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine. 118 minutes. Rated PG-13.  

A deep dive into the eponymous, iconic hymn performed by a multitude of artists in the film, including Bono, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, and k.d. lang. 

February 18 & 19 – Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story
Directed by Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern. 95 minutes. Rated PG-13.  

Saturday’s screening will be followed by a Film & Food Soiree with special event pricing. Advanced reservations required. 

This film not only captures the festival in all of its beauty and glory, but also delves deep into the rich culture of The Big Easy.  

The Woodstock Vermont Film Series is curated and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jay Craven, produced by the Billings Farm & Museum, with generous support from local sponsors. We gratefully acknowledge the Film Series season underwriter Mad Old Nut, and lead sponsors Farmhouse Pottery, Woodstock Inn & Resort, and Ellaway Property Management. 

A superlative string quartet will grace the Visitor Center Theater at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock for November’s Music at the Museum, a Billings Farm Chamber Concert.  The performance by the Balourdet Quartet takes place on Sunday, November 20 at 2:00PM and is presented by Billings Farm and concert organizers David Green and Margaret Edwards. 

The Balourdet Quartet is the New England Conservatory’s resident professional string quartet.  Its four musicians came together in 2018 at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston.  They have since made a name for their quartet in classical music circles, winning the Grand Prize at the 2021 Concert Artists Guild Victor Emalch Competition, as well as prizes at the Banff, the Paolo Borciani, and the Carl Nielsen competitions.   Angela Bae, originally of Seoul, Korea, is the first violinist and is joined by violinist Justin DeFilippis. Violist Benjamin Zannoni studied at the Manhattan School of Music’s Pinchas Zuckerman Performance Program, as well as at Juilliard. Cellist Russell Houston studied at Northwestern University’s Colburn Conservatory as well as at Stanford.
 

For their November 20th performance, the quartet will be playing Joseph Haydn’s “Sunrise” String Quartet, Opus 76, No. 4 (1797-98), Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade (1887), and Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E minor, Opus 44, No. 2 (1839).   

Music at the Museum: A Billings Farm Chamber Music Concert tickets are $15/person. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.  For tickets and more information, visit billingsfarm.org/events/music-at-the-museum-november/ or call 802-457-2355 and press 0.  

Billings Farm & Museum is seeking new ways to engage the community with a variety of events, and programs featuring arts and music that inspire connections to each other and our world. Along with food and sustainable workshops, upcoming cultural events include the Woodstock Vermont Film Series kicking off the season on November 19. 

From sheep to textile art, experience the wonder of transforming raw wool into a colorful and decorative landscape wall hanging. Led by local artisan Tiana St. James, the three-part Introduction to Dyeing & Felting Series will explore fundamentals in wool dyeing, the ancient and simple art of wet felting, and the modern technique of dry needle felting.  

This Fiber Arts Series takes place on Tuesdays, November 1, 8, and 15 from 5:30PM -7:30PM at Billings Farm & Museum. The course will take participants through a step-by-step process of creating a finished work of fiber art. With fleece from the Billings Farm Southdown Sheep, participants will start by exploring dyeing methods. Then class members will create a felted background from the colorful woolen swatches using wet felting, a process of compressing loose fibers together with warm water, soap, and agitation. 

To further develop the composition, participants will use a dry needle felting technique. This process of poking a barbed needle in and out of wool interlocks the fibers together and allows for fine-tuned detail work. The final step will introduce 3-D elements such as flowers or trees to complement the design. Each student will leave the workshop with a handcrafted woolen treasure to take home 

For ages 16+. Registration for the series is $110/person, $100/member. Materials are included. Register in advance at billingsfarm.org/fiber-arts/   

Upper Valley Native Tiana St. James has been an Interpreter at Billings Farm & Museum for seven years. A passion for history and learning along with a love of knitting and crochet, led her to discover the fascinating world of fiber arts from all stages of the wool and flax to linen processes. Through her association with the Aker Fiber Farm in Enfield, NH, she has developed and taught classes on a wide variety of textile crafts.    

Visiting safely Wearing a face mask is encouraged and very much appreciated in our indoor space. For updated information please visit billingsfarm.org/safety.      

~ ~ ~        

Billings Farm & Museum, now in its 40th season, is open daily 10AM – 5PM through Oct 30. From Nov – Feb open weekends and select holiday weeks, 10AM – 4PM. Find the Special Events Calendar, daily schedules, admission pricing and membership information at billingsfarm.org.     

Billings Farm & Museum is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation Inc., a charitable non-profit institution. Billings Farm & Museum is committed to providing educational opportunities and experiences to our visitors, whether here in Woodstock, Vermont or at home wherever you are through our online resources at Billings Farm at Home. Visit us on billingsfarm.org, and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/BillingsFarmMuseum/ and Instagram at instagram.com/billingsfarm/.     

 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM  

CONTACT:   

Nori Pepe   

Marketing & Outreach Manager   

Billings Farm & Museum   

802-457-5310   

npepe@billingsfarm.org   

In the crisp autumn air, skeletons, dinosaurs, and fairy princesses will descend upon Billings Farm & Museum for a day of SPOOKtacular Halloween festivities.  On Sunday, October 23, 10:00AM -5:00PM, there will be fun for the whole family with trick-or-treating, hayrides, and costume parades.  It’s time to get gussied up for the spooky occasion.  Children in costume receive free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult.  

The fright is light in the hardly haunted, not-too-scary Sunflower House and exhibits.  There will be pumpkin bowling and an opportunity to vote for the best pumpkin crafted by Billings Farm & Museum staff. Clarabelle the Sheep will lead several fun costume parades around the site starting at 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 3:00PM. Guests can enter the Halloween drawing with winners announced after each parade.  The fall day would not be complete without a hayride, pulled by a tractor around the fields, loading from 10:30AM – 4:00PM. 

Before and after the parades, kids can visit trick-or-treating stations around the farm. Children can craft a wearable Spider Headband with eight dangly legs and googly eyes or cozy up in the story nook for children’s Halloween stories at 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm.   

Delicious seasonal food can be found at the Farmhouse Café, which will feature cold and hot spiced cider, cider donuts, and pumpkin ice cream, available for purchase from 11:00AM -5:00PM. The Wicked Awesome BBQ Food Truck will be serving traditional American BBQ for purchase from 11:00AM – 4:00PM. 

Advance ticket purchase is recommended for quicker entry.  To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/AdvanceTicketsBFM. 

The Billings Farm Volunteer Program is a way to make meaningful connections with the Billings community. In October volunteers will have the chance to share their love of the Upper Valley with people from around the world, as groups visit the site to experience the best of fall foliage. Volunteers will greet tour groups, give out Billings Farm cheese samples, serve ice cream bars, and help support the Gift Shop. Volunteers can don a costume and join the SPOOKtacular Family Halloween to help with pumpkin bowling and handing out trick-or-treats. There are a range of positions and flexible shifts available. To get involved, please visit billingsfarm.org/volunteer/.   

As the days get shorter and colder, Billings Farm & Museum is finding lots of ways to stay cozy, warm, and busy! November is filled with opportunities to step into history through events and programs, get creative in classes and workshops, and engage with culture through films, music, and more! 

Fiber Arts Series: Introduction to Dyeing & Felting on Tuesdays, November 1, 8, 15, 5:30PM – 7:30PM  

Led by local textile artisan Tiana St. James, this three-part workshop will explore fundamentals in wool dyeing, the ancient and simple art of wet felting, and the modern technique of dry needle felting. Participants will experience the wonder of transforming raw wool into a colorful and decorative landscape wall hanging.  For ages 16+.  Registration for the series is $110/person, $100/member. Materials are included. Register in advance at billingsfarm.org/fiber-arts/  

Date Night Cooking Class Featuring Italian-inspired Cuisine, November 3, 5:00PM -7:30PM 

In this class, couples will follow Billings Farm’s Chef Emery Gray to prepare a menu inspired by the cuisine of Italy.  The feast begins with a plate of Prosciutto and Winter Melon with Basil and Balsamic Drizzle demonstrating that fresh ingredients can still be featured in the “off season.” Participants will learn knife skills and how to balance color and flavor while creating a Shaved Fennel and Pear Salad with a Honey and White Wine Vinaigrette. For the delicious main dish, class members will roll their own gnocchi for Gnocchi with Tuscan Butter Sauce and Pan-Seared Salmon Fillet.  The evening will conclude with a classic Cannoli dessert.  This popular class has limited space and will be returning in 2023. For more information, visit billingsfarm.org/datenightcooking/ 

Billings Backyard Series: Natural Decorations with Ben Pauly on Saturday, November 12, 10AM – 11:30AM, followed by 30-minute Q & A.  As holiday decorations are pulled from storage and dusted off, participants can ditch plastic décor in favor of sustainable and “evergreen” alternatives.  Ben Pauly, Creative Director of Landscape Design at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, will share his creativity and knowledge along with his favorite natural materials for decorating.  Each participant will have a chance to make a natural decoration and bring home some sustainable cheer.  

Billings Backyard is a series of workshops designed to teach sustainable living skills to adult participants and is underwritten by a generous grant from the SpringRiver Private Foundation Trust.  Each workshop includes hands-on demonstrations and concrete steps for incorporating these skills into everyday life.  The session is $15/person, $10/member. Registration and course details are at billingsfarm.org/billings-backyard/   

Homeschool Days: Harvest & History on Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November 17, 10:00AM – 1:00PM 

In this history-filled day of fun, students can learn the importance of harvest on the farm in the past and present. With a chance to examine historic sources like photographs and artifacts from the Billings Farm & Museum collections and exhibits, students will observe harvest practices of the past. In the present day, students will try out harvest activities on the farm such as peeling and pressing apples into cider, husking and shelling corn for the farm’s animals, and learning different methods for preserving harvest produce.  Each student must be accompanied by an adult. The price for one day is $9/student and $14/adult.  Member pricing is $7/student and $12/adult. Transportation providers are free. The program will be the same on both days. billingsfarm.org/homeschool-programs/ 

Woodstock Vermont Film Series Kicks Off with A Celebration of Film, Food, and Community: Film Screening and Reception, Saturday, November 19 at 3:00PM 

Billings Farm & Museum will hold an event to benefit the Woodstock Vermont Film Series, featuring a screening of Come Back Anytime followed by a reception on Saturday, November 19. Centered on the life of a self-taught Japanese ramen master, the documentary highlights how community and food go hand in hand. Following the screening there will be a gathering around food, drink, and cheer to celebrate the connection to land, traditions, family, and hometown community. Beginning on December 31 and continuing through February 19, there will be weekly film screenings on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00PM in the Visitor Center Theater. billingsfarm.org/filmseries/ 

Music at the Museum: A Billings Farm Chamber Music Concert, Sunday, November 20, 2PM 

Billings Farm & Museum, along with concert organizers David Green and Margaret Edwards from Barnard, VT, are pleased to present Music at the Museum: A Billings Farm Chamber Music Concert featuring the Balourdet Quartet with violinists Angela Bae and Justin DeFilippis, violist Benjamin Zannoni, and cellist Russell Houston. Tickets are $15/person. billingsfarm.org/events/music-at-the-museum-november/ 

Thanksgiving Weekend Friday, November 25 – Sunday, November 27 10:00AM – 5:00PM 

An experience for the whole family with 19th century Thanksgiving traditions, crafts, and food.  Guests can peek into history with a Thanksgiving setting displaying food that graced the table in the 1890s.  Guests will enjoy the delicious aroma of food cooking in the 1890s Farm Manager’s House kitchen.  Recipes from the past will include oyster soup, mashed turnips, roasted squash, salted almonds, bread rolls, and baked apples. To delve deeper into the history, guests can join the “What’s for Dinner” program at 12:00PM and 3:00PM. For a hands-on cooking experience, guests can stop by the Learning Kitchen to make an apple turnover treat to take home.   

Families are invited to share stories about their favorite traditions on the Sharing Wall.  Children can create a woven paper placemat and enjoy reading Giving Thanks:  A Native American Good Morning Message on the StoryWalk along the pasture fence.  Guests can warm up by the outdoor firepits with hot spiced apple cider and cider donuts for purchase at the Farmhouse Café. billingsfarm.org/events/thanksgiving-weekend-3/2022-11-25/ 

The Billings Farm Volunteer Program is a way to make meaningful connections with the Billings community. Volunteers make new friends, share their enthusiasm for farming, rural life, and history, and learn new skills. There are a range of positions and flexible timeslots available. Volunteers will greet guests, educate about our artifacts, give out Billings Farm Cheese samples, take care of our farm animals or help in other ways. To get involved, please visit billingsfarm.org/volunteer/.