A family participates in a 2021 Harvest Day program.
NPS/Tim Ervin
October 21, 2023
11:00am - 4:00pm
Harvest Day traditionally commemorates the the day that agricultural communities would harvest their crops and store them for the winter. Large plantations, such as Hampton, for many years relied on enslaved and indentured labor in order to make this happen. Neighbors would also work together to ensure everyone's crops were cultivated. The work was was grueling and difficult, especially for those forced to labor on land that they did not own, to gather food and materials that they would not benefit from. Hampton's Harvest Day is filled with hands-on activities, storytelling, demonstrations, and ranger led programs.
A ranger leads a group of visitors during Harvest Day.
NPS
Schedule
Farm Programs
11:00—African American Storytelling and Music with Griots' Circle of Maryland
12:00—Farm Tour*
12:45—Corn Shucking Contest
1:00—African American Storytelling and Music with Griots' Circle of Maryland
2:00—Farm Tour*
2:45—Corn Shucking Contest
*Farm Tours: Meet in front of farmhouse. The 30-minute tour is free.
Living History Stations: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mansion Tours at 10am, 1pm, 3pm Mansion Tours: Get tickets at Visitor Center. The free tickets are first-come, first-served and the tour lasts 45 minutes.
A living historian demonstrates how to make a corn husk doll.
NPS/Tim Ervin
Program Stations
Station 1—Harvest Day Junior Ranger
Station 2—Apple Cider Press
Station 3—19th Century Open Fire Cooking
Station 4—Old Fashioned Toys & Making Cornhusk Dolls
Station 5—Griots' Circle of Maryland: Storytelling & Music at 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Station 6—Butter churning at Diary with Maryland Dairy Princess
Station 7—Blacksmithing at Mule Barn
Station 8—Harvesting Tools at Corn Crib
Station 9—Draft Mules Ike and Terri
Living historian demonstrates 19th century music techniques.
NPS/Tim Ervin
Special Music
Our living historians will demonstrate some of the musical styles, instruments, and techniques used throughout the 19th century.
Storytellers from the Griots' Circle of Maryland will incorporate song with stories in the African folkloric tradition.
Junior Ranger badge with Ranger Hat
NPS
Become A Harvest Day Junior Ranger!
When you arrive at Harvest Day, check in with at the welcome table to receive your Harvest Day Junior Ranger activity!
Once you complete the activity, you will be sworn in as a Junior Ranger! And given a Junior Ranger badge and certificate!
