More than 150 people dedicated to keeping history alive though historical farms, agriculture museums and folk life demonstrations will gather this week at West Virginia University’s historic Jackson’s Mill, located near Weston, W.Va.
The annual conference of the Association for Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums gives members the opportunity to stay current about issues in the field, share new ways to make their sites meaningful to visitors and network.
The Farmstead at WVU Jackson’s Mill provides unique opportunities for members to get hands-on experience in heritage activities such as operating a gristmill and mowing with a scythe. The conference typically takes place in larger cities where it can be difficult to accommodate such sessions.
This is the organization’s first visit to West Virginia for a national conference.
Pre-conference professional development sessions begin Saturday, June 4. The educational opportunities range from a tour of local historic sites to instruction in practical living history skills such as rope and knot tying, knife and tool sharpening, and plowing with mules.
The conference kicks off with a welcome reception on Saturday evening.
On Sunday, June 5, the public is invited to take a step back in time from 7 to 9 p.m. at Jackson’s Mill’s 19th Century historic area. Visitors can watch a Civil War-era baseball game, stop by the blacksmith or even enjoy a plow match. All activities are free of charge.
Other conference highlights include canning, maximizing museum website clicks, digital preservation of photographs, and storytelling techniques. The entire group will also visit historic sites in the area including Prickett’s Fort, Fort New Salem, Rich Mountain Battlefield and the community of Beverly.
The conference keynote speaker, Huntington native Adam Booth, will discuss using tools to capitalize on storytelling at historical farms and museums.
The Farmstead at WVU Jackson’s Mill is no stranger to living history. Hundreds of school children and other guests visit each year to learn about the past. The entire WVU Jackson’s Mill property has a rich history. It is home to the nation’s first 4-H camp and is the boyhood home of General Stonewall Jackson.
For more information on the Association for Living History, Farm and Agriculture Museums, visit www.alhfam.org.
To learn more about the conference or other opportunities at WVU Jackson’s Mill, visit www.jacksonsmill.ext.wvu.edu To reach Jackson’s Mill by phone, call 1-800-287-8206.
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CONTACT: Ann Bailey Berry, WVU Extension Communications
Office: 304-293-5691, cell: 304-376-7740, e-mail: Ann.Berry@mail.wvu.edu
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