Farm Life in 1774

Farm Life in 1774 is an experiential, living-history program presented in your school by professional interpreters with support from parent volunteers. Students participate in many activities common to eighteenth-century American life, including spinning and weaving, candle-making, hearthside cooking, pottery, traditional music and dance, tin-smithing and much more! Families get involved to create this unique living history day.




































Farm Folk and Townspeople
Parent volunteers help supervise the children and facilitate some of the activities of the day. An orientation and training session will be held the evening before the fair. Farm Life in 1774 gives families a unique hands-on educational experience. 

Farm Fashions
Students, faculty and parent volunteers dress in 18th century costumes. Study guides for clothing and ideas for costumes will be provided. 

Farm Cuisine
Students and their families choose and prepare a traditional dish to bring as pot luck lunch on the day of the fair. Recipes will be provided. 

Famous Historical Personalities
Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Phyils Wheatly, Ben Franklin, Paul Revere. Teachers and parents with a flair for the dramatic are encouraged to don the clothing and the role of notable 18th century characters.

A time to learn and have fun together!

Hands-On Crafts
  • Weaving
  • Candle Making
  • Hearthside Cooking
  • Historic Herbs
  • Spinning
  • Stenciling
  • Butter Churning
  • Dame School
  • Tin Smithing
  • Quill Pens
  • Carding
  • Wash Day
  • Slates and Chalk
  • Toys and Games
  • Music and Dance

Farm Life in 1774 can be planned for a single grade level or the whole school. Large time blocks are established to immerse the students in various aspects of Eighteenth Century life. Professional interpreters work with teachers and parent volunteers to facilitate the activities and act as group guides for the day. 

This program is designed to:

  • Support Social Studies Curriculum 
  • Meet NY State Learning Standards for the Arts 
  • Provide hands-on experiential learning for elementary students 
Included in the program fee:
  • Correspondence with teachers/PTA/Parent Volunteers to create a program that would best fit the needs of your students. 
  • Letters and materials to send to parents. 
  • A video parent meeting to explain the program and invite them to participate.
  • Extensive correspondence with parent volunteer coordinator. 
  • Individual lesson plans upon request. 
  • Materials and displays for each activity.
  • Student made craft projects for them to bring home at the end of the day!

HANDS-ON-HISTORY STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

We are an educational organization that provides students with engaging, hands-on experiences of rural life in the Colonial Northeast during the 1700’s. We do not espouse any particular political agenda and do not discuss issues of slavery, indigenous peoples, or women’s rights. While we feel that those topics are crucial and necessary to be taught, we cannot adequately address them during our half-hour workshops. Our goal is to use memorable activities to support, supplement, and enhance learning about aspects of living in that time period.