In the 1840s, families would spend time together playing music. Learn about songs that were enjoyed by pioneers and try out a popular instrument of the period, the dulcimer. Dulcimers will be provided or bring your own. Meet at the Activity barn. This free program is open to those 16 and older, register online by […]
This year’s Peter Rabbit Tea will feature “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” Listen to the story read by Beatrix Potter inside the Activity Barn. Tea and snacks will be served at the McKinnis House. Meet Mr. McGregor as he keeps an eye out for Peter and his brothers. Children will participate in a scavenger hunt […]
As the temperature rises, cold-blooded animals, such as amphibians, are more likely to be seen and heard. We will hike the trails, look for animals, and listen for their calls. During the hike, we will look for the American toad and the northern green frog and roll over logs in search of the eastern red-backed […]
How did the pioneers get the broth to make soups, stews, and chicken and noodles? Sarah Fishel will be boiling down some chicken and beef bones to make a tasty soup and talking about this process. There will also be buttermilk biscuits cooking in the oven to go with the meal she is preparing for […]
Find out about life on a farm with hands-on activities, such as feeling sheep wool, a straw scavenger hunt, looking at duck, turkey and goose feathers, and gathering plastic eggs from our hen puppet. Pioneer toys will be available to play with. Adult companions must remain with children during this program. Meet at the Shelter. […]
Bees are hard at work this time of year. They help pollinate crops and create products, like honey and wax. Learn about beekeeping in the 1800s. There will be a demonstration out in the yard about creating a bee house called a skep. We will talk about beekeeping and how honey and wax were used […]
Many interesting creatures can be found living under logs. Learn about the importance of fallen logs and leaves to the environment and the types of creatures that depend on them. Afterward, hike the trails to flip logs in search of log life, including fun fungi, slimy salamanders, slow snails, and farting beetles. This is a […]
Join Hancock Park District at the historic 1847 McKinnis House to learn what it was like to write letters in the 1800s. We will talk about the history and the art of letter writing and how pens and ink were made, use a feather quill and ink to write letters and draw pictures, and create […]
The 1847 cook stove will be on and the aroma from tea, apple crumb cake, and wood smoke will be in the air. There will be a cook stove demonstration, the opportunity to have tea and apple crumb cake, and enjoy the wood burning fire. Each guest will be given a recipe book to take […]
Ah, the sweet taste of honey. When baking, honey can be used instead of white sugar. You and your friends at the parks will enjoy tea sweetened with the bee’s sweet nectar and honey cookies that participants will make and bake in the old wood cook stove. Meet at the McKinnis House. This program is […]
