Farmhouse on the Grape Vine Prairie returns to Grapevine’s Nash Farm
For the second year, Grapevine’s Nash Farm is offering the educational experiences entitled “Farmhouse on the Grape Vine Prairie.”
Following selections from the “Little House on the Prairie” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, these hands-on educational experiences are designed for students in the third through seventh grades. Adults are welcome to attend.
Each session takes place on selected Saturdays at Nash Farm, 626 Ball St., from 10 a.m.–noon. The series begins Feb. 7 and concludes on Dec. 19.
The three selected books for the Farmhouse on the Prairie series are “Little House in the Big Woods,” “On the Banks of Plum Creek” and “Farmer Boy.” Guests are encouraged to read the corresponding passages prior to attending the event. Below are the dates and topics for each of the Farmhouse on the Grape Vine Prairie sessions.
April 25 – Spring Planting: Take a look at the herb and kitchen gardens, as well as what would have been grown in the 19th century. Activities include planting seeds, watering the gardens and preparing herbs to take home to grow. Chapter references include “Farmer Boy: The Turn of the Year” and “Farmer Boy: Spring Time.”
May 30 – Pioneer Animals: Learn about the role of livestock, pets and wild animals during the years of early settlers. Participants may wash and dye sheep wool. Chapter references include “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Wreath of Roses” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Ox on the Roof” and “Farmer Boy: Sheep Shearing.”
June 27 – Summer Time: Experience different things that come along with summer, like remedies from the herb garden, fire and insects. Chapter references include “Little House in the Big Woods: Summer Time” and “Little House in the Big Woods: Harvest,” as well as “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Deep Water” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Wheels of Fire.”
July 25 – Commerce and Trade: Buy, sell and trade for all the items life on the prairie would have required. Learn about the importance of cash and barter for commerce and trade during the 19th Century. Activities include a bartering game and sewing activity. Chapter references include “Little House in the Big Woods: Going to Town” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Door in the Ground.”
Aug. 29 – Harvest: Harvest prairie products for a variety of farm life needs. Participants can pick cotton and weave wheat straw into braid. Chapter references l include “Little House in the Big Woods: Harvest” and “Little House in the Big Woods: Wonderful Machine,” as well as “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Wonderful House” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Glittering Cloud.”
Sept. 26 – Community: Explore seasonal fall chores and the return to school. Participants may enjoy a teamwork activity related to fall chores, writing on 19th century slates and sewing quilt blocks. Chapter references include “Little House in the Big Woods: Going to Church,” “Little House in the Big Woods: School” and “Little House in the Big Woods: Nellie Olsen,” as well as “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Learning.”
Oct. 24 – Fall Harvest: Harvest the seasonal crops that provided fresh food this time of year. Participants can work in the garden and see a demonstration of indoor cooking on the wood burning stove. Chapter references include “Farmer Boy: Wonderful Machine.”
Nov. 21 – Winter Preparations: Help Nash Farm make preparations for winter. Participants perform necessary house and garden chores as a farm prepares for the winter season. Chapter references include “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Keeping House,” “On the Banks of Plum Creek: Prairie Winter” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: A Day of Games.”
Dec. 19 – Christmas Celebration: Experience how Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family would have celebrated Christmas. Make a Victorian ornament and take it home to enjoy on your own family Christmas tree. Chapter references include “Little House in the Big Woods: Christmas” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: The Christmas Horses” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek: A Merry Christmas.”
Pre-registration for the Farmhouse of the Grape Vine Prairie Series is required. Activity fee is $3 per participant over the age of three. To register or for more information about the Farmhouse on the Grape Vine Prairie series, visit www.NashFarm.org. For additional information about Grapevine, call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 817-410-3185 or visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com.
This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Farmhouse on the Grape Vine Prairie returns to Grapevine’s Nash Farm."