Two days of family-friendly, interactive and educational fun are planned for Historic Cold Spring Village’s “Hands-on History” Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children will be given a “Pastport” at the start of their Village trip, which can be stamped at the buildings they visit after completing a take-home craft or activity, like writing with a quill pen, carding wool or making a pinch pot. Pastports can be redeemed at the Country Store for a free treat! Other family-friendly activities include face painting, historic dress up, games and live entertainment from traditional musician Mary Roth. The Penns Woods Puppet Players will present a puppet show at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. This jam-packed family-fun weekend event is sponsored by PNC.
The museum is also hosting the first annual Tri-State Hammer-In during Hands-on History Weekend. The historic John Finley Blacksmith Shop will feature forging, fun and fellowship with blacksmiths from throughout the region. Demonstrations, a tailgate tool sale and vendors will be featured daily. Interested demonstrators and vendors should contact Adam Howard by email at capeislandforge@gmail.com.
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. Tuesday through Sunday, 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, with special events every weekend through September.
The Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and a mile and a half west of the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway. Admission during the season is $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. The Village Nature Trail at Bradner’s Run is open to the public for free self-guided tours. Visit the Country Store, Bakery, Ice Cream Parlor, Brewery 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.