Squaring a beam at Pricketts Fort
Demos and Workshops
Author: boardk
Principal for The Cherry Valley Group. Performer with First Frost Traditions. Editor of The ALHFAM Bulletin. Instructor for the Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies. Director of Music for First Presbyterian Church, Cooperstown, NY. Moderator for the Presbytery of Utica.
Monday On the Road
Monday was a full day of site visits: Pricketts Fort, the Folk Life Center at Fairmont State University and Fort new Salem. Lots of hands-on opportunities at Pricketts. Naps and conversation on the bus rides. - Katie Boardman
Townball, Spinning, Plowing
Sunday evening was spent at Jefferson's Mill and Conference Center and featured the annual ALHFAM Plowing Match and Townball Game. Spinning wool and tales, sampling bread and visiting with vendors was enjoyed, too. - Katie Boardman
Music Making, Hospitality and Fellowship
And, we're back. Storms over the weekend compromised our internet access. Things are good now. End of day visiting is a long tradition of ALHFAM meetings. This meeting is no different. - Katie Boardman
Monday Morning and Afternoon Sessions
There were a lot of good sessions after the keynote on Monday morning and afternoon. So much to choose from. Clarissa Dillon's presentation on historic distilling was especially popular. Well researched, good information and context, and a sense of humor. -Katie Boardman
Keynote Storyteller- Adam Booth
Our keynote for the conference was professional storyteller, Adam Booth, from Shepherdstown, WV. Some good observations about storytelling and how to use it in museum settings were shared that resonated with the keys to what makes good interpretation. Then it was off to a variety of sessions on research, case studies and tools for living… Continue reading Keynote Storyteller- Adam Booth
A Visit From Gen. Jackson
Saturday evening featured our Newcomer's Reception and the Salted, Smoked and Pickled Reception. The building that housed the event is a replica of the West Virginia building at the world's fair. Neat architecture. Wonderful murals. We enjoyed a visit from Gen. Jackson (this was his boyhood home- not birthplace). The highlight, as always, was meeting… Continue reading A Visit From Gen. Jackson
Younger ALHFAMers Keep Busy
Betsy is about ready to graduate HS in a week or so. (How can THAT be?). Will is getting taller, again. And, our newest ALHFAM arrival in the younger person catagory is Blake's grand daughter, Rebecca's daughter - Ariella Blake Gross (a cute wee thing in a stroller). She can't even crawl yet and she's… Continue reading Younger ALHFAMers Keep Busy
Some Great Historic Structures
Adjacent the 4-H camp/conference center, there is also a small grouping of historic structures and mills. The log cabins are good examples of local vernacular architecture. The mill site and homestead was the birthplace of Stonewall Jackson. (Reminder, West Virginia was part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until folks disagreed over slavery. West Virginia was… Continue reading Some Great Historic Structures
Pottery Talk
One of our expert historical potters, Mary Ferrell, lead a hands-on session out in one of the pavillions today. Lots of history as well as getting one's hands on some clay. -Katie Boardman
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