Highlights Archives
Autumn on the Farms at Old World Wisconsin
The farms, fields, gardens and kitchens of Old World Wisconsin will be abuzz with activity next weekend when the outdoor museum conducts its annual rite of passage by readying the site for the coming winter during Autumn on the Farms Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18. In the 19th century the changing seasons dictated agricultural and domestic activities. Autumn was an especially busy time for families living in rural Wisconsin. They needed to cut wood, sew quilts, and prepare and preserve enough food to get them through the long winter season. And, as another October begins its slow segue into November, the farmers and housewives of Old World Wisconsin will engage in many of the same types of chores.
A Wide Range of Activities
More than 30 activities, varying by day, will be offered throughout the weekend, including pressing apples into cider, grating cabbage for sauerkraut, and discovering the magic of root cellars. Brave souls can help make headcheese, pluck the poultry or see a hog processed into many useful products. There's also candle making, pincushion piecing, soap making, wool spinning, red-hot blacksmithing and much more.
Visitors will get an up-close look at teams of draft horses from the Jefferson County Draft Horse Association as they plow, plant and skid logs. A sawmilling demonstration will feature a 1921 Eclipse Frick steam engine and edger powered by a 1923 McCormick-Deering 1020 tractor. Heirloom produce from Old World Wisconsin plus apples from local growers will also be available for purchase. For a detailed listing of activities visitors can expect to see or take part in all four days of the event, view or download our 2009 Autumn on the Farms event schedule (PDF 1.35MB).
If You Go
For complete details on admission, hours, a map, distances from various cities, and other information, see Old World Wisconsin's visitor information pages. Visit YouTube to view a brief video on last year's event.
:: Posted October 8, 2009
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