Grapevine’s Nash Farm debuts ‘Farmhouse on the Grape Vine’

In January, Grapevine’s Nash Farm introduced a series of educational experiences entitled “Farmhouse on the Grape Vine Prairie” that will run through Nov. 22.

Following selections from two books in 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. Each session takes place from 10 a.m.-noon on selected Saturdays at Nash Farm, 626 Ball St.

The two books being used for the Farmhouse on the Prairie series are “Little House on the Prairie ” and “Farmer Boy.” Guests are encouraged to read the corresponding passages prior to attending the event.

The series kicked off Saturday with Family and Home which featured clothing, furnishings and homes of the early settlers. Activities included hand sewing and making a quilt block. The corresponding book passages were “Farmer Boy: School Days;” “Farmer Boy: Winter Evening” and “Farmer Boy: Winter Night.”

At the first event Sharon Heard, Nash Farm interpretive host, said the series is close to the hearts of Nash Farm staff because the Nashes came to the area from Kentucky — the farm was purchased by Thomas Jefferson Nash in 1859 — and probably encountered similar stories as the Ingalls who also were pioneers.

Ten-year-old Owen Garner might have felt like a pioneer of sorts in that he was the only young man who participated in the first event. An avid reader, he had read both books at least once.

“I like coming out and seeing what it was like back then,” said Owen, a history aficionado who plans to be an engineer. “I like the simple life back then but I also like the advancing technology of today.”

His father, Mike Garner of Flower Mound, said his son’s penchant for books is due partly to the rule that the fourth-grader is allowed “30 minutes of screen time a day on weekdays and a little more on weekends.”

Christi Sabogal brought her children from Denton: Stephanie, 9, Elizabeth, 6, Lili, 3, and Noah, 1.

The Nash Farm series was perfect for the home-schooled family because it offered “hands-on learning,” she said. Her eldest child is a big fan of the books and history in general, she said.

As she sewed a patch for a quilt block, Stephanie said, “I like this because I want to be an author.”

Although the event was designed for younger history buffs, John Maxwell called and asked if he could bring his 70-year-old mother Linda Maxwell out for her 70th birthday.

“My father had a cabin — it wasn’t our main home — and we had a wood stove and chamber pots and a pump,” the birthday girl said. “There’s a lot of memories here.”

Maxwell said he thought his mother might be intrigued by the unusual celebration.

“I just wanted to do something different than a party at home,” the Denton man said.

Pre-registration 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 January 14, 2014 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Grapevine’s Nash Farm debuts ‘Farmhouse on the Grape Vine’."