UMaine Museum Offering ‘Pathways to the Past’ for Children on April Vacation
Contact: Patty Henner, 581-1400; George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — Tired of the usual April vacation destinations, high gasoline prices and crowded airports? The University of Maine’s Page Farm and Home Museum is suggesting a little-time traveling as a different choice this year for area families with elementary and middle school-aged children.
Children ages 6-12 can travel back in time through “Pathways to the Past,” a morning history-fun week of programs offered April 21-25 at the farm and home museum on the Orono campus.
Each day will offer, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., its own novel hands-on explorations of what life was like before electricity came to rural Maine.
Monday will feature an old-fashioned look at “HomeWork,” not the kind you do for school, but the creative and often-challenging tasks common in an old-fashioned home, churning butter or making soap or candles, for instance.
Tuesday, “Earth Day,” will focus on garden activities.
Wednesday will be devoted to farm animals, and may feature some surprise guests.
On Thursday, “Past Times Pastimes” will explore toys, games and other leisure-time activities that children enjoyed long ago.
Friday will be “Folk Art Day,” with stenciling, wool spinning and similar activities.
Parents are invited to bring their children in for one, several or all of the morning events.
There is a $3 per-child materials fee for each day. Participants are encouraged to register in advance for the days they’d like to attend, so farm and home museum staff can prepare enough materials for everyone.
To register, or for more information about the “Pathways to the Past” vacation program, please call the Page Farm and Home Museum at 581-4100.
The Page Farm and Home Museum collects, documents preserves, interprets and disseminates knowledge of Maine history relating to farms and farming communities between 1865 and 1940, providing an educational and cultural experience for children and adults, and a resource for researchers of this period.