The Town of Hoosick is pleased to announce that the Visitor Center (Barnett Homestead) for the New York State Bennington Battlefield Historic Site, kicks off its 2009 season on Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 4 pm. The public is invited to experience many aspects of early American rural lifestyle, including sheep shearing, pit cooking and games for children on opening day.
Outdoor activities and demonstrations on Saturday, May 16, are free, and the Friends of the Bennington Battlefield will be selling refreshments. A reduced fee is charged for guided tours of the house, by costumed interpreters, which includes the presentation about the Battle.
Barnett Homestead is a living history museum offering tours and educational programs conducted by Vintage Voices Historical Interpreters. Tours of the circa 1835 Barnett Home provide a hands-on interpretation of everyday life in the 1800s and includes an informative and entertaining re-enactment of the 1777 Battle of Bennington. In addition, four history camps are being offered for youngsters from ages 8 and up this summer. School and civic groups also visit the site for special programming; for information, call 518-686-4438,
The Visitor Center and gift shop at Barnett Homestead is located diagonally opposite the Bennington Battlefield Park, east of the entrance to the park on Caretaker’s Road. Regular hours are Thursday – Saturday from 1 – 4 pm and Sundays from 12 – 3 pm, weather permitting. Special group tours and programs can be scheduled for any day of the week-contact the phone number noted above. Information about the History Camps can also be obtained at the Town of Hoosick offices on Church St. in Hoosick Falls.
Members of the Vintage Voices welcomed guests to the Barnett Homestead on Friday evening, May 8, at a special Open House. New this year is an expanded gift shop with beautiful white cabinets and display cases
built by Mike Chapman. Several new history books have been added to the shop along with early American souvenirs and lovely handcrafted items. ve been added to the shop, along with early American souvenirs and lovely hand crafted items. The Bennington Battlefield and the Barnett Homestead will officially open for the season starting May 16. Tour hours at the Barnett Homestead will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 4 pm. On Sundays, weather permitting, the gift shop and Battle Gallery will be open in the afternoon.
Educational Programs And Summer Camps
The Vintage Voices offer many educational school programs entitled “The Past is a Blast!” They already have schools booked for programs in the following weeks. The living history programs include a mini-re-enactment of the Battle in Walloomsac, toys used long ago, the life style of the 1800s, pit cooking, clothing from long ago, time in a school room, the study of quilt making and making of cloth, old time marketing, games, dances, flags of the past and more! Field trips can be arranged by calling 518-686-4438 or 802-442-8472.
Summer Camps this year are: “In Grandma Moses’ Day,” July 6 to 10, “Merrie Olde England!”, July 13 to 17, “Who’s on First” Radio Camp, July 20 to 24 and “Revolutionary Times Camp,” July 27 to 31.