Morris Arboretum Celebrates Farming Life at Bloomfield Farm Day

On Sunday, October 16, 12-4 pm, visitors are invited to celebrate farming life, past and present, at Morris Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Day.  Learn about Bloomfield Farm’s rich agricultural history with a guided tour of the Arboretum’s historic creek-side flour mill, Springfield Mills.  Watch one-ton millstones grind corn kernels, observe 160-year-old machinery transport and sift the ground corn to produce meal.  In addition to tours, there will be demonstrations, vendors, music, and a few animals commemorating Bloomfield Farm’s agricultural history.

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Explore time-honored farming professions from educational instructors Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers, who will demonstrate spinning and weaving.  Other craftsmen exhibits returning this year include woodworker John Barrett, and blacksmith Solomon Matisoff.  Also on site will be Jack the Cooper (an artisan who makes wooden barrels bound together with hoops), quilter Patti Stone and welding demonstrations by Nexus Metal Works.

Traditional chicken keeping is new again, and visitors may learn the how-to’s with Philadelphia Backyard Chickens and a few live hens and roosters.  Kids and adults alike will learn more about farm animals by interacting with Saul High School’s 4H petting zoo.

At the Compton Café’s satellite café, savor fall specialties such as loaded potato soup, pumpkin bread, and caramel apples while listening to the sweet sounds of Valley Creek’s bluegrass music.  Also on site will be Yards Brewing Company with a variety of flavorful beer samples, while they last. Free with admission.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to glimpse a different time with a short trip to Bloomfield Farm, located across the street from the Arboretum’s main entrance on Northwestern Avenue.  This event is free with regular garden admission. For more information about this or any other Morris Arboretum event, please call 215-247-5777 or visit the Morris Arboretum online at www.morrisarboretum.org.

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is located at 100 East Northwestern Avenue in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia.  The 92-acre horticulture display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape. The Arboretum includes numerous picturesque spots such as a formal rose garden, historic water features, a swan pond, and the only remaining freestanding fernery in North America. A permanent nationally award winning exhibit, Out on a Limb – a Tree Adventure Exhibit adds to Morris Arboretum’s allure by transporting visitors 50 feet up into the treetops on a canopy walk that requires no climbing.  Open weekdays 10am-4pm and weekends 10am-5pm.  Open late on Wednesdays in June, July, and August until 8:00pm.  For more information, visit www.morrisarboretum.org.

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Photo Credit:  Carolyn Clement

Photo Caption: On Sunday, October 16, 12-4 pm, visitors are invited to celebrate farming life, past and present, at Morris Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Day.  Learn about Bloomfield Farm’s rich agricultural history with a guided tour of the Arboretum’s historic creek-side flour mill, Springfield Mills.  Watch one-ton millstones grind corn kernels, observe 160-year-old machinery transport and sift the ground corn to produce meal.  In addition to tours, there will be demonstrations, vendors, music, and a few animals commemorating Bloomfield Farm’s agricultural history.