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

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

ALHFAM Western US Regional Conference (18 Sep 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

ALHFAM Western US Regional Conference 2026

What Works in the West

September 18 -20, 2026 in Snoqualmie, Washington

The Western Region is a special place; our histories are many and diverse. In this regional ALHFAM conference, we will explore some of these cultures through sessions and site visits. We’ll learn how Snoqualmie area sites are reclaiming land, interpreting pioneer farming history, conserving railroad history and recreating the Middle Ages. We will learn about partnerships and funding models that are helping to make King County a vibrant destination. Our sessions will examine how primary resources can help us to improve programming for our visitors and how to coordinate volunteers across a wide geographical area.

Program

Friday evening

5pm - 7pm “Salted, Smoked, and Pickled” Reception at Snoqualmie Valley Museum

320 Bendigo Blvd S, North Bend, WA 98045

www.Snoqualmie Valley Museum.org

For this informal potluck reception, you are invited to share a salted, smoked, or pickled appetizer from your area. The Museum collects, preserves, and shares the history of the Snoqualmie Valley so present and future generations can understand our past. Join us in learning a bit about valley history and seeing the progress in our exciting small capital project!

Saturday

8:30am Keynote - Snoqualmie Casino and Hotel

9:30am – 12:00pm Sessions - Snoqualmie Casino and Hotel

12:00pm Lunch (Jersey Mike’s subs)

1:00pm Snoqualmie Tribe Culture Department talk at Snoqualmie Casino and Hotel followed by visit to Snoqualmie Prairie/Meadowbrook Farm

Meadowbrook Farm Preserve
1711 Boalch Avenue Northwest
North Bend, WA 98045
www.meadowbrookfarmpreserve.org/

Meadowbrook Farm sits on what was the Snoqualmie Prairie, the largest traditionally tended prairie in the Valley for thousands of years. The farm developed into the World's Largest Hop Ranch and then a dairy farm. Today, Meadowbrook Farm is 460 acres of scenic and historic public open space on the Snoqualmie Valley floor, located within the cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend.

3:30pm - 7:00pm Northwest Railway Museum Train Ride (4:05 departure)

Northwest Railway Museum
9312 Stone Quarry Rd
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
www.TrainMuseum.org

We’ll visit Northwest Railway Museum where you can experience how “The Railway Changed Everything”. We’ll board the train at 4:05pm for an experience on the interpretive railway, followed by an educator-led experience at the Railway History Campus. Tour the Train Shed Exhibit Hall, the Conservation and Restoration Workshop, for a first-hand look at current restoration projects while also enjoying hors d’oeuvres.

Still hungry? Either head into Snoqualmie or North Bend to enjoy local establishments or head back to the Casino for half a dozen different dining options.

8:00pm Hospitality Suite open

Sunday

9:00am Sessions - Snoqualmie Casino and Hotel

10:00am Depart for the Lower Valley

11:00am Carnation Farms Site Visit

Carnation Farms
28901 NE Carnation Farm Rd, Carnation, WA 98014
https://carnationfarms.org/

Step into the legacy of Carnation Farms, from our 1908 origins as a pioneering dairy to our evolution into a nonprofit hub for regenerative agriculture, food education and community. We envision a thriving and resilient regional food system rooted in regenerative farming, humane animal care and thriving rural economies. As a nonprofit farm and learning center, our programs empower people to connect with the land, their food and one another.

12:00pm Dougherty Farmstead visit and lunch in Duvall

Dougherty Farmstead
26526 NE Cherry Valley Rd, Duvall, WA 98019
www.duvallhistoricalsociety.org

The Dougherty Farmstead is one of Duvall's most treasured historic sites, showcasing some of the oldest standing structures in the Snoqualmie River Valley. Recognized for its historic significance, the farmstead was designated a landmark by the King County Landmarks Preservation Board in 1983 and the State of Washington in 2004; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2:00pm Depart for Camlann site visit

2:30pm Visit Camlann

Camlann Medieval Village
10320 Kelly Rd NE, Carnation, WA 98014
https://www.camlann.org/

Welcome to Camlann Medieval Village, a living history museum project where you can explore daily life in a small rural village in southwest England in 1376 CE. Camlann Medieval Village offers feasts to celebrate medieval holidays, each featuring a unique menu of medieval recipes and a program of medieval entertainment appropriate to the occasion.

You are invited to “dress” for the evening event, in whatever era you are most comfortable in.

5:00pm Feast at Camlann/Depart at 7:00

8:30pm Hospitality Suite open

Please note: Conference attendees should plan to carpool to site visits. If you will have a car and are willing to share rides, or if you will need rides, please let one of our committee members know.

Conference Committee:

Kay Demlow, Western Region Co-Chair, Kay@lavendersgreen.com

Ava Martin, Western Region Co-Chair, avakatenisqually@msn.com

Cristy Lake, Local/Site Arrangements, Cristy@SnoqualmieValleyMuseum.org

Hosted at Snoqualmie Casino and Hotel:
We have reserved a block of double queen rooms for our conference attendees at a rate of $299 per night. When you contact the hotel, be sure to mention the ALHFAM conference with your reservation.

37500 SE North Bend Way
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
https://www.snocasino.com/

Snoqualmie Tribe

https://snoqualmierightsday.snoqualmietribeweb.us/

Thank you to 4Culture for their generous support of the 2026 ALHFAM Western Regional Conference. 4Culture provides funding and support for the cultural work that makes King County vibrant.

4Culture helps communities recognize, preserve and explore our shared heritage - in all the places where the past meets the present.

https://www.4culture.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

ALHFAM Regional Conference in Iceland 2026 (22 Sep 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

2026 ALHFAM International Regional Conference
in Iceland
September 23 - 26, 2026

Food for Thought: Bridging Cultures Across Time

The theme of this conference - Food for Thought: Bridging Cultures Across Time - invites us to reflect on how knowledge, traditions and skills move between communities and across generations. From farming and foodways to craft traditions and material culture, people have continually adapted inherited knowledge to new environments while maintaining connections to shared origins. This theme encourages presentations that not only inform but spark curiosity, foster conversation and inspire fresh ways of thinking about the work we do.

As we gather in Reykjavík—an exciting milestone in ALHFAM’s growing international presence—we are offered a meaningful opportunity to explore the shared threads that connect diverse cultures. Recipes travel and evolve, tools are shaped by landscape, garments adapt to available materials, and agricultural knowledge is refined in response to changing environments. Though these practices shift over time and place, their roots often remain visible. We welcome proposals that explore movement, cultural exchange, adaptation, resilience and continuity: sessions that illuminate common origins, uncover unexpected connections, and encourage dialogue across borders and disciplines. By engaging both the richness of cultural expression and the ties that unite us, we can build lasting relationships while deepening our understanding of how the past continues to shape our present.

Download the Conference Program here.

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

MOMCC Fall Conference 2026 (05 Nov 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

MOMCC 2026 Fall Conference
Wabash & Erie Canal, Delphi, Indiana
November 5 – 7, 2026

Training Along the Towpath: Acquiring Skills and Knowledge Along the Journey

A workshop-heavy conference with workshops led by well-qualified instructors in the 1840-50’s Canal Village. Sessions held in the Canal Interpretive Center. Enjoy the Canal Village atmosphere as you learn new skills and knowledge to motivate you and share with the public.

Download the Conference Program here.

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.

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

Embroidery at Missouri Town (08 Aug 2026)

Embroidery at Missouri Town

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

ALHFAM Western US Regional Conference (18 Sep 2026)

ALHFAM Western US Regional Conference 2026

What Works in the West

Regency Ball at Fort Osage (19 Sep 2026)

Regency Ball at Fort Osage

ALHFAM Regional Conference in Iceland 2026 (22 Sep 2026)

Candle Making at Fort Osage (24 Oct 2026)

Candle Making at Fort Osage

MOMCC Fall Conference 2026 (05 Nov 2026)

MOMCC 2026 Fall Conference Wabash & Erie Canal, Delphi, Indiana November 5 – 7, 2026

Historic Baking at Missouri Town (14 Nov 2026)

Historic Baking at Missouri Town

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

MOMCC 2026 Fall Conference
Wabash & Erie Canal, Delphi, Indiana
November 5 – 7, 2026