CAPE MAY – Experience life on an Early American farm through hands-on activities and exhibits at Historic Cold Spring Village’s ‘Down on the Farm’ Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Historic Cold Spring Village, an open-air living history museum, presents the trades, crafts, architecture and lifestyles of an Early American, rural South Jersey farming community. The Village is also home to a working 8-acre organic heritage farm complex. ‘Down on the Farm’ is generously sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies.
Special exhibits throughout the Village will include collections of antique and modern farming equipment and hand tools, as well as demonstrations of natural wool dyeing methods. Visitors can tour of the historic Gandy Barn, c. 1880, which is now home to Levi the horse. In the morning, Levi and the Village farmers will demonstrate horse-driven farming techniques. During the afternoon, visitors can take horse and carriage rides around the Village- free with admission! Guests can also visit the Village sheep, pigs, chickens and calf.
The Family Activity Area will feature children’s dress-up clothes, games, and cornhusk doll-making. Kids can even navigate a hay maze! The Friends of Historic Cold Spring Village will host the 3rd Annual Dog Show on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Entrance in the Dog Show is $5 per pet and includes a treat and bandana. Visit www.hcsv.org for more information and show rules. In addition, the Friends of HCSV are also hosting a traditional South Jersey corn roast throughout the weekend.
Historic Cold Spring Village is a non-profit, open-air living history museum that portrays the daily life of a rural South Jersey community of the Early American period. It features 26 restored historic structures on a 30-acre site. From late June to early September, interpreters and artisans in period clothing preserve the trades, crafts and heritage of “the age of homespun.” Fun and educational activities for children are featured Tuesday through Sunday, with special events every weekend through mid-September.
Historic Cold Spring Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and four miles south of Rio Grande (Exit 4 of the Garden State Parkway). Admission during the season is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. As a member of the national Blue Star Museums program, Historic Cold Spring Village is proud to offer free admission to active duty military personnel and up to 5 family members. The Village Nature Trail at Bradner’s Run is open to the public for free self-guided tours. Visit the Country Store, Needle Arts Coop, Bakery, Ice Cream Parlor and Cold Spring Grange Restaurant. For more information on events, membership, volunteering, or booking private affairs, please call (609) 898-2300, ext. 10, or visit the Village website at www.hcsv.org.