Magic of Maple

Ever wonder how the sweet, sticky syrup on your breakfast pancakes was made? Learn all about maple sugaring in Vermont during the Magic of Maple, daily from February 12 – 27, 10am – 4pm.

Vermont’s rich maple history will be on display, through photographs from the Billings Farm collection and a showcase of tools used for tapping, sugaring and processing. Come learn about maple trees and why they produce their sweet sap. On Feb. 19 & 20, local maple sugarer, Mary McCuaig of Top Acres Farm, will be on site to share the maple sugaring process from tree to bottle. Top Acres Farm Syrup will also be available for purchase in the Museum Gift Shop.

Sample the treat of Sugar on Snow and see video demonstrations on how to make a delicious Maple Popcorn snack at home. Create a paper snowflake craft, read children’s stories by the outdoor fire and warm up with hot chocolate, coffee and s’mores, available for purchase on site from 10am-3pm.  

During the Magic of Maple, enjoy:

• Billings Farm Snow Creations Challenge Construct, create or decorate a snow creation at Billings Farm! Hats, mittens, scarves, gloves and other decorations will be provided. Post photos to Facebook and Instagram, and tag @billingsfarm with #BFMSnowCreations. Winners will be announced February 28 and will receive delicious Billings Farm Cheese.
• Public Sleigh Rides Conditions permitting, Billings Farm & Museum will offer horse-drawn sleigh rides on February 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24 & 25 from 11 am – 3 pm. Reservations for rides will be taken upon arrival at the Ticket Desk, on a first come, first served basis. The cost is $5 per person in addition to the purchase of a general admission ticket. Ages 2 and under are free. Rides are approximately 10 minutes long.
• Private Sleigh Rides by reservation. Reserve online in advance

Daily Activities at Billings Farm include:

Meet Our Farm Animals. The sheep, calves, chickens and goats are all cozy for the winter in the Small Animal Barn and ready to greet guests. Learn about our herd and our dairy operations in the Activity Barn and find the award-winning cheeses produced with Billings Farm milk in the Museum Gift Shop.

Outdoor Adventures Beckon. Venture through the picturesque snow-covered farm fields and along the Ottauquechee River on snowshoes – bring your own or rent from the nearby Woodstock Inn & Resort’s Nordic Center or Activity Center. Bring your sled to speed down the small hill next to the orchard. Gather round the fire pit and warm up with hot chocolate and s’mores.

Explore Vermont’s Rural History. Take a self-guided tour of the 1890 Farm Manager’s House.  Considered state-of-the-art when it was built in 1890, the farmhouse has features quite uncommon for the times. Tour the Farm Life Exhibits to explore what life on the farm was like in the 1890’s and search for snowflakes hidden within the exhibits. Learn about the families and history of Billings Farm in our Upon This Land Exhibit. A Place in the Land, the Academy Award® – nominee film which chronicles the development of Billings Farm is shown throughout the day in the Visitor Center Theater.