the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
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
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
As usual, we are being taken care of quite well. Marie is cheerfully registering folks. The ALHFAM auction items are coming in. ALHFAMers are gathering from all over the US and Canada. Old buddies and new professional friends are getting acquainted. Some are staying in housing at the Uof West Virginia 4-H camp. Others are… Continue reading Happy and Helpful ALHFAM Conference Staff
Picture a sunny day, blue sky, white tent under a shade tree- and a bunch of ALHFAM millers and bakers ready to get into the nitty gritty of milling, making yeast and baking. Perfect combo. Some of the best in the business gave lectures, commentary on mill tours and demonstrations and lead the yest experiments… Continue reading Bakers and Millers Get Together
A workshop in marbling paper produced colorful results. -Katie Boardman
ALHFAM 