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Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Bright yellow black-eyed-susan flowers are lit by the sun; their green leaves and stems peep through the blossoms. NPS Photo.
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Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Forest Festival Weekend

September 24-25, 2011
Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm 
Sunday 10:am-4:00pm

Held in conjunction with the Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival.


The following Forest Festival programs are free of charge.

 
A park ranger in an orange hardhat and orange ear protectors watches as a portable saw mills a thick log.

Jon Gilbert Fox

Sustainable forestry

Both Days - Saturday and Sunday

Portable Sawmill Demonstration
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Pony Shed Pasture

  • A local sawyer will mill logs from the forest, to begin the process of making different wood products, building materials, and furniture. See logs transformed into lumber before your eyes.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Meet at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center

  • Ride in a horse-drawn wagon with a park ranger to explore areas of the forest. The wagon will leave from the Carriage Barn Visitor Center area and head to the Pony Shed Pasture, where you can see a sawmill in action and explore a unique tree trail. Return trips are also available.
 

Walking Stick Wood Crafting
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Pony Shed Pasture

  • Children will be able to make their own walking stick, which can become a lifelong companion and a record-keeper of travels and hiking adventures. Listen to a park ranger read the beautiful story of Daniel and His Walking Stick by Wendy McCormick.

Open House and Garden Days
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Meet at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center

  • Explore the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion and gardens at your own pace. See art, architecture, gardens, landscape, forests, exhibits, and more. Guided tours will be held at 10:00 am and 11:00 am.
 
A man in a green shirt holds a wooden tool in each hand; in front of him are blocks of various kinds of wood: maple, walnut, cherry, poplar.

Jon Gilbert Fox

Woodcrafting

Woodcraft Demonstration
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Carriage Barn Visitor Center

  • Join a variety of Vermont woodworkers as they create unique wooden products and discuss the art and value of their craft. Bowls, baskets, furniture, and other woodenwares will be made for all to see.

A Walk Among the Giants: Tree Discovery Walk - Self-guided

  • Take a self-guided family-oriented walk among 10 of the most common trees in New England. A brochure of fun facts will introduce you to these trees – learn how to identify them, how animals depend on them for food and shelter, and how we use the trees’ lumber as part of our everyday lives. Brochures are available at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center.

Artist in Residence Open Studio and Exhibit
Location: inquire at Carriage Barn Visitor Center

This year's artist is Ethan Jackson, a visual artist working in photographic media and optical installation form Portland Oregon. Through his work, Ethan explores aspects of landscape representation and the notion of "place".

Junior Ranger Program – Self-guided

  • Children ages 7-10 can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing indoor and outdoor activities. Learn about the history of the park and how to be stewards of our special places. Brochures are available at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center.

Junior Ranger Program – Ranger-led
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Meet at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center
Maximum 20 participants - call 802-457-3368 ext 22 for reservations

  • Children ages 7-10 can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing indoor and outdoor activities with a park ranger. Learn about the history of the park and how to take care of special places. A self-guided version is available throughout the weekend at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center.                                             

Forest Quest – Self-guided

  • Seek out treasures hidden in the Mount Tom Forest. Activities and riddles will reveal clues to help you unravel the forest’s mysteries. Appropriate for all ages. Brochures are available at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center.             
 
Three children and a park ranger sit in the shady grass and work on Junior Ranger actitivies.

Jon Olender/Rutland Herald

You can earn a Junior Ranger badge with a park ranger or on your own

 

 

8th Annual Vermont Fine Woodworking & Forest Festival


Held at the Union Arena in Woodstock, September 24-25, 2011 (Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm & Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm)

  • Fine furniture and wood products demonstrations


  • Live music


  • Woodworking demonstrations


  • Local food 


  • Hands-on activities for kids


For more information call 802-747-7900 or visit www.vermontwoodfestival.org



 

Shuttle service is available. Experience both events by taking advantage of our free shuttle service - a 30-minute loop from Union Arena to the park, with stops in downtown Woodstock and at the Billings Farm & Museum.

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Black and white Carleton Watkins photograph, showing Yosemite's massive granite Cathedral Rock. Billings Family Archives.

Did You Know?
In the early 1860s Vermonter Frederick Billings, then living in California, purchased and sent photographs of Yosemite Valley to influential eastern friends to make the case for its preservation. You can see these photographs, and paintings of Yosemite, at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP.
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Last Updated: May 20, 2011 at 08:13 MST