ALHFAM - Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums upcoming events

Paper Marbling & Quill Writing at Fort Osage (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Paper Marbling & Quill Writing at Fort Osage

Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
107 Osage St., Sibley MO 64088

Cost: $25

The art of paper marbling dates back to the 12th century in Japan and China and expanded into Europe in the 1600s, making its way to America by the 1800s. Most marbling was made for decorative bookbinding, stationary, and boxes. Participants will create their own marbled paper and turn it into a notebook, which they can take home. After your notebook is created, the instructor will teach how to mix ink, demonstrate the proper form of writing with a quill, and learn how to trim the end to keep its shape.

Learn more:
https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Events-Attractions/Historic-Sites/Fort-Osage

Embroidery at Missouri Town (08 Aug 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Embroidery at Missouri Town

Missouri Town Living History Museum
8010 E. Park Rd., Lee's Summit MO 64064

Cost: $25

Our Living History Interpreters will teach you basic stitches historic embroidery. During our workshop you will make an embroidered sampler inspired by a historic pattern for you to take home. Learn the art of mid-1800s embroidery! Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited.

Learn More:

https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Events-Attractions/Historic-Sites/Missouri-Town-Living-History-Museum

Fall Tillage Workshop at Howell Living History Farm (11 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Fall Tillage Workshop at Howell Living History Farm, Sept. 11 - 13, 2026

Workshop Description

ALHFAM members seeking to refine skills in horsedrawn tillage operations are invited to apply for a free workshop to be held at Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Township, NJ, September 11 – 13, 2026.

During the workshop, six participants will work alongside farmers who are plowing and planting a 3-acre field of winter wheat with horsedrawn equipment. Timothy hay will be down with the wheat in concert with the farm's crop rotation. Six teams of horses will be used, with one participant and one farmer/instructor working with each team to provide intensive hands-on involvement in each phase of the operation.

There is no cost to participate. The workshop is offered by the Mercer County Park Commission and the Friends of Howell Farm in support of public programs that foster the growth of sustainable communities. The wheat resulting from the workshop will provide flour for local food banks as well as the seed, feed and straw needed on the farm.

Skills and methods taught during the workshop are specific to Howell Farm's period of interpretation, which features a 7-year grain/hay crop rotation system used by local farmers at the turn of the 20th century.

To participate, applicants must submit a letter of interest, along with their institution’s letter of support, to Friends of Howell Farm Office Manager Danielle Gilmore at dgilmore@howellfarm.org.

Workshop Fellowships will be awarded to ALHFAM members responsible for the planning and/or performance of farming operations at a living history site, or at an open-air or agricultural museum. Letters of interest and support should reflect the applicant's and institution’s commitment to the preservation of historical farming systems that contribute to the growth of sustainable agriculture and communities through research, training, education and public history programs. Participants must be familiar with harnessing, hitching, and driving draft teams, and with animal-drawn plows and tillage equipment, and must commit to participating fully in all three days of the workshop.

Content Overview

Each day focuses on a specific phase of the wheat planting operation and combines intensive, hands-on work with related field conversations about animal, soil, and equipment conditions and care. Members of ALHFAM's Skills Training and Preservation team will be present to document elements of the workshop. Because the farm is open to the public during Day One and Two of the workshop, visitors may be present and can observe and learn about the workshop with the help of Howell Farm interpreters.

Day One (Plowing):

Focus is on draft animal and equipment needs and care; field care and layout; striking out furrows; walking and riding plow adjustments and use; roller/packer use; and 2- and 3-horse hitching. We will also cover techniques for allowing school students and other visitors to safely and effectively experience plowing. At the end of Day One, primary tillage (plowing) of the 3-acre wheat field will be complete.

Day Two (Secondary Tillage): Covers assessing soil conditions and determining which implement(s) will be best suited for preparing the soil for planting. Equipment used includes spike tooth, spring tooth and disc harrows; plank drags; and evener set-ups for 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-horse hitches. At the end of Day Two, the field will be properly harrowed and ready for planting.

Day Three (Planting, Packing): Concentrates on grain drill calibration; seed cleaning; efficient planting patterns; and field planting and packing techniques. At the end of Day Three, the field will be planted with winter wheat and timothy hay. A wrap-up session will provide the group with a chance to review and evaluate the planting operation and workshop and obtain take-home materials.

Logistics

Arrival
Thursday, September 10th with Welcome Supper at 7p.m.

Lodging
Onsite room & board is provided by the Friends of Howell Farm.

Liability and Waivers
Participants must:

– sign a standard County of Mercer “hold harmless” form.

– agree to be photographed and interviewed by workshop staff.

– agree to participate in farming and training operations conducted during public hours when visitors may be present.

Deadline for Application Letters and Announcement of Fellowship Awards: Letters of interest and institutional support must be received by Monday, August 3rd, 2026.

– Recipients of training fellowships will be notified by Monday, August 10th.

Contact Information

– GPS Address: 70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ 08530

– Mailing Address: 101 Hunter Rd., Titusville, NJ 08560

– General Inquiries: Pete Watson at 609-737-3299 (Howell Farm Office) or pwatson@howellfarm.org

– Letters of Interest and Support should be sent to Danielle Gilmore, Office Manager, Friends of Howell Farm dgilmore@howellfarm.org

Regency Ball at Fort Osage (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Regency Ball at Fort Osage

Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
107 Osage St., Sibley MO 64088

Cost: $35

You are cordially invited to join us for a ball at Fort Osage! Festivities will include period English country dancing under the open sky and light refreshments. Experience dancing is helpful but not necessary. The entertainment begins at 5:00 PM. Size is limited and tickets are required.

Learn more:
https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Events-Attractions/Historic-Sites/Fort-Osage

Candle Making at Fort Osage (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Candle Making at Fort Osage

Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
107 Osage St., Sibley MO 64088

Cost: $25

Step back in time and discover the art of candle making as it was practiced on the early American frontier. Join us at Fort Osage National Historical Landmark for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how settlers and soldiers crafted their own sources of light using simple, time-honored techniques.

Learn more:

https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Events-Attractions/Historic-Sites/Fort-Osage

Historic Baking at Missouri Town (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Historic Baking at Missouri Town

Missouri Town Living History Museum
8010 E. Park Rd., Lee's Summit MO 64064

Cost: $25

Join us for our hearth baking workshop and learn how baking was done in the mid-19th century. You will be using simple historic recipes. Not only will you enjoy the delicious smell of baking, but you will also have the opportunity to taste what you baked. Period clothing is encouraged, but not necessary. All clothing should be made of natural fibers, as there will be open fires. Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited.

Learn more:
https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Events-Attractions/Historic-Sites/Missouri-Town-Living-History-Museum

ALFHAM HiTS PIG Workshop: Timber Framing (12 Jan 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 05:00:00 GMT

ALFHAM HiTS PIG Workshop, January 12-13, 2027

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site in Washington, Texas is proud to host an ALHFAM Historic Trades and Skills Professional Interest Group (HiTS PIG) workshop on timber framing. By the end of this two-day workshop, participants will have helped assemble a new dovecote and chicken house at Barrington Living History Farm. The course will be taught by carpenter Paul Unger and will focus on teaching timber framing skills like mortise and tenon joinery, draw boring and raising structures. The course is limited to 10 participants, and it is free for ALHFAM members. If you wish to participate and are not an ALHFAM member, you will need to become an ALHFAM member, in addition to the workshop fee. Some meals will be provided courtesy of the ALHFAM HiTS PIG. More information about the workshop, including housing information and how to register, is coming soon.

This is also a pre-conference workshop for the Texas Living History Association’s (TLHA) annual conference January 14-17, 2027, at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Course participants are also encouraged to register to attend the TLHA conference.