Old-time fun for everyone!

Join us Saturday, October 19 for a day to celebrate the history and heritage of Brethren and Mennonites in the Shenandoah Valley! This special open house event on our campus will run from 9 am to 2 pm, and will include:

  • Horse-drawn buggy rides

  • A singing school reenactment and shape note hymn singing

  • Heritage skill demonstrations:

    • Old-fashioned sorghum molasses making

    • Corn meal grinding

    • Cider press

    • Crosscut log sawing

    • Blacksmithing

    • Spinning and knitting

    • Basket weaving

  • Fun, hands-on children’s activities:

    • Old-fashioned toys

    • Carpentry with hand tools

    • Tin punch

    • Butter churning

    • Laundry scrubbing in the wash house

    • Corn shelling

  • Civil War storytelling

  • A petting zoo

  • Interpretive guides in our historic buildings

These activities will take place throughout the day from 9 am to 2 pm, so come when it suits and stay as long as you like! A lunch of homemade soup and pie will be available (for a freewill donation), as well as complimentary kettle-cooked popcorn.

At this year’s event we’re excited to offer FREE ADMISSION! Many thanks to the business sponsors below who helped to make this possible!