the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
While the rest of the conference attendees wouldn't roll into Jackson's Mill until Friday and Saturday, members of the Board started meeting Thursday evening and then again on Friday. The main topic of discussion was narrowing down our new strategic plan into something manageable and achievable by an all volunteer organization that only meets in… Continue reading Board Meeting/Strategic Planning
As Katie has indicated, neither time nor wi fi access allowed for much blogging while in West Virginia, so I am catching up now that I am home. Here is my synopsis of our keynote speaker from Day 1: West Viriginia native Adam Booth gave an outstanding keynote address Sunday morning to kick off the… Continue reading Storytelling with Adam Booth
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
Tom Kelleher of Old Sturbridge Village fame led a very useful workshop today..... in fact, even though I've carried a knife for over 30 years, Tom was able to help me sharpen my pocket knife better than I ever have in my life! Thanks Tom! Just one more example of why this organization is the… Continue reading Sharpening workshop
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
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
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
A popular make and take workshop was for making your own musical instrument- a zither. Participants were cutting, gluing, clamping, drilling, stringing up and tuning their own instrument to take home. A local instrument builder and musician and his wife lead them through the process. Can't wait to hear the results. -Katie Boardman
There was a full workshop for the all-day consideration of teaching kids about food and farming. Lots of good looking books, toys and posters were around the room. In the afternoon the whole class was out on the lawn walking out an acre. Useful stuff. -Katie Boardman
ALHFAMers quickly discovered the shade trees, many porches, wi-fi, vending machines and the comfy batch of rocking chairs on the dining hall porch. They are making good use of them. Yes-many comments about retirement planning for some. -Katie Boardman
ALHFAM 