Hands-On Workshops
Grades: 4th -12th | Duration: 2 hours

Enliven your students’ winter experience by joining the staff of The Farmers’ Museum for Hands-On Workshops (available in December and again March 1st – May 15th).
This program provides the opportunity to focus on period trades, crafts, farm life, or leisure and entertainment of the mid-nineteenth century. The program includes an on-site museum tour, and choices from available workshops that illuminate life and work of the period.

At the Tavern
Become our guest and enjoy popular entertainments of 1845.
Students create a Thaumatrope, or Wonder Turner.

Life on the Farm
Participate in the many duties of farm life, from animal care to cooking.
Students enjoy a variety of farm chores while some prepare an 1845 meal.

Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic
Experience education in the 19th-century – an interactive visit to the schoolhouse. Students create a copybook.

Reverse Painting on Glass
Practice a folk craft popular in 1845, by painting your picture in reverse on glass. Students create a piece of framed art.

A Stitch in Time
Learn that it was not just the young lady who could sew, but the young man too! Students make a drawstring bag.

Iroquois Life
Explore Iroquois culture and lifestyle. Students will make a Native American craft.

Paper Staining
Learn about the art of wallpaper production in the nineteenth century. Students block print a piece of wallpaper.

Blacksmith’s Apprentice
Enjoy the duties and responsibilities required of a blacksmith’s apprentice. Students make an iron hook.

Medicines and Remedies
Experience the varied life of the village pharmacist.
Students make their own lip salve.

The Printer’s Devil
Become Printer’s Devil to the Master Printer and learn the “art and mystery” of the trade. Students create a piece of printed material.

Walk on the Wild Side
Using the various murals, relief carvings and animals of The Empire State Carousel, students will take a ride through the history of New York State.  Students will also create their own animal to take home.

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