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Calendar of EventsThe Plantation is open most Saturdays and Sundays, April through November for public tours. A regular day might include a house tour, animal tour, and other activities. About once or twice a month, though, we have extra special events that visitors can enjoy. Those events are listed below. Admission is $10.00 ($6.00 for children ages 4-12) unless otherwise noted. We will be closed to the public on Easter Sunday. These are just our highlight events--"Friend" us on Facebook to see last-minute additions and seasonal activities! May 11, 2019 SHEEP SHEARING AND FIBER FEST* On Saturday, May 11th, we'll be wild for wool, crazy for cotton, in love with linen, and smitten with silk! Join us for an exploration of the plant and animal fibers that clothed the colonial Pennsylvanians. Visitors to the farm can watch the shearing of our Hog Island and Leicester Longwool sheep, then learn how their wool is cleaned, spun and woven into fabric. See how we make a rainbow of colors from natural dyes, and how we can make cool, breezy linen clothes out of a field crop called flax. Explore the reasons why silk and cotton were equally luxurious and expensive fabrics in the eighteenth century—one from an insect, the other from a plant, but both with a long and troubled history. Take a tour of our farmhouse, which for one day will showcase 18th century reproduction clothing in every room. Check out our lacemakers and embroiderers to see how even the most modest clothing could have personal decorative touches unique to every artisan. June 21, 2019 LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL: THE EVOLUTION OF ARMS IN THE DELAWARE VALLEY, 1630-1830* Join the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation for a very special fundraising dinner presentation on June 21, 2019 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. During the month of September 1777, a mixed American army of Continental Troops, State Troops, and local Militia met and fought a British & German army in a number of battles commonly known as the Philadelphia Campaign. Much has been written about the battles, but little has been said about how these 12,000 Americans came to be armed--especially when common people in their mother countries were forbidden to do the same. Join local historian Chris Reardon as he showcases his collection of early American firearms and accoutrements and discusses the laws and culture that allowed these British citizens to possess, manufacture and carry hunting and military-style arms. He'll highlight how firearms evolved over time, and dispel some of the most pernicious myths about these weapons that helped to win our nation's independence and carried us Westward into the frontier. Tickets are $35.00 ($30.00 for members.) Admission includes a light dinner and drinks served in the Plantation farmhouse, followed by the presentation and a tour of the Plantation. Tickets must be purchased in advance so that we can arrange dinner and seating. Chris Reardon served for many years as a member of the East Goshen Historical Commission and on the Board of the Paoli Battlefield. He has served as a longtime volunteer at Newlin Grist Mill, Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation and Valley Forge Historical Park. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS June 22, 2019 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR* Become an eyewitness to history, as the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation becomes the backdrop for scenes from the French and Indian War. Watch the local militia led by a Rodger's Ranger as they discover a French raiding party and witness the skirmish which ensues (skirmishes at 12:00pm and 2:15pm.) Visit the French and British campsites. Talk to the soldiers about their uniforms, weapons and strategy for fighting in the wilderness of the frontier. As you take in the action, remember that the French and Indian War determined not only the future of the Pennsylvania frontier but also events that put the loyal colonials on a path to revolution. There will also be a demonstrations of colonial weapons and 17th and 18th century money ongoing throughout the day. July 4-7, 2019 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS Our doors are open for this new four-day celebration of our nation's birth! Hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, write your own declaration using quill pens, and engage in other acts of rebellion on the farm! Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic basket lunch or purchase refreshments. Reading from Paine's "The Crisis" (12:30 and 2:30) and a reading of the Declaration of Independence (1:00 and 3:00 with burning of King George.) Feel free to pick up a quill pen and sign the declaration yourself. Other daily activities to be announced.  July 19, 2019 SOARING AT SUNSET* Soaring at Sunset is a new fundraising event for 2019 celebrating America's first hot air balloonist, Peter Carnes, who launched an untethered balloon from the Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia in 1784. The evening will feature live bands, tethered hot air balloon rides by Air Ventures, a VIP tent, food trucks, wine and beer vendors, historic tours and exhibits. Event runs 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Raindate is Friday, July 26, 2018. Ticket information and live bands will be announced soon!  September 7, 2019 BACK TO SCHOOL SCIENCE DAY* "Back to School" doesn't mean the fun has to end! Try your hand at experiments like dyeing cloth, churning butter, mixing soap and making candles, decide what it takes to breed "the perfect sheep," and discover the everyday science we take for granted!  September 21-22, 2019 CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT* The South is invading Pennsylvania again. Witness firearm demonstrations, drills, a burial squad, use of herbs in the 1860s and camp life. There will be a period fashions and displays of civilian life. Battles will take place on Saturday at 12pm and 4pm. Sunday's battle will be at 2. Watch the North try to defend the farm against the invading forces from old Dixie. No visitors are permitted to enter after battle has begun and until it is finished. Admission for this event is $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for children ages 4-12. A registration form for reenactors and reenactment groups is available at the link below. Please read and fill out the forms and mail back to us along with a check for your payment. Reenactors Click Here To Register  October 4, 2019 SPIRITS AT SUNSET* During this very special, adults-only event, guests can enjoy a haunted happy hour with specialty themed cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres while learning the history of our c. 1720 farmhouse and property. After the cocktail hour, guests will be split into smaller groups to conduct a ghost investigation in four of our historic buildings. All images and evidence of haunting will be uploaded to a website accessible to those who participate. Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $35.00 per person ($30.00 for members.) Cocktail hour begins at 6:30pm; hunt will commence at 7:30pm. October 19th & 26th, 2019 LANTERN GHOST TOURS* Our sold-out event returns for its fifth season with new true tales of terror! Ghost tours run 6:00pm-9:00pm in timed slots. Space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets for the are $13.00 each ($10.00 for members.) Due to the graphic nature of some material, only ages 10 and up permitted. November 9, 2019 PRESERVATION DAY*  Winter is coming to the farm. See how a colonial farm family preserved their food and crafted the whiskey, hard cider, beer and wine that they drank throughout the year. Take part in the smoking, pickling, drying and salting of foods. November 29, 2019 BLACK FRIDAY -- OPEN 11:00am - 4:00pm  Due popular interest, the Plantation will be open all of Thanksgiving weekend, including Black Friday. We will be decorated for the holidays; visitors will get to experience house tours, farm animal tours, candle dipping, colonial holiday traditions, and more. December 1, 2019 CLOSING DAY *No passes, coupons, deals, library memberships, or reciprocal memberships will be accepted on Special Event Days. |
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