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LIVERMORE — Looking for a fun activity to end school vacation week? Come play from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, 290 Norlands Road.
Stop by for some old-time fun and a belated celebration for Presidents Day. Meet the neighbors and make new friends. Activities are provided by interpreters in period clothing portraying people of the 1800s Norlands neighborhood or Livermore’s Washburn family.
New for this annual event is a belated celebration of President’s Day, 1870 style. A special tribute to America’s first president, George Washington, will take place at 12:30 and 2 p.m.
After his death in 1799, Washington’s birthday became a day of remembrance and celebration. Celebrations included toasts, elaborate galas with dancing, laying of wreaths and fancy cake using a recipe from Martha Washington.
Washington’s actual day of birth (Feb. 22) became a federal holiday in 1885. At first, the holiday was meant to honor only George Washington. However, many people considered it a day to honor both the first president and the 16th, Abraham Lincoln (born Feb. 12, 1809).
In 1971, the holiday officially became Presidents Day, a time to honor all presidents past and present, and the day was moved to the third Monday of February. Norlands’ interpreters, portraying Washburn neighbors and farm help in the cottage, will bake a version of Martha Washington’s cake. Stop by for a slice of cake and to participate in the celebration.
In addition to the Presidents Day celebration, visitors can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride and see ice-cutting demonstrations nearby on Bartlett Pond, just down the hill from the Norlands. The schoolmarm will be ready to greet scholars as if it’s 1853 in the one-room schoolhouse.
In the mansion, visitors might meet a Washburn who will tell stories about his or her famous family. Several family stories will be shared on the tour of this elegant home, especially stories about the family’s relationship with Presidents Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.
The Washburn kitchen will be busy with craft activities for all ages. Try your hand at crafting a silhouette cut-out portrait, common in the early 1800s.
Visitors are encouraged to bring snowshoes and walk the historic carriage trail to the Pools of Simeon, reflecting pools designed in 1903 by the youngest Washburn brother, William Drew.
Cookies and hot chocolate will warm you up in the farmer’s cottage, while supplies last.
There is something for all ages at this 19th-century style Cabin Fever Reliever. In addition to the historical activities, a tag sale of goods old and new benefits the barn-raising fund.
General admission is $10 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under. Members of Norlands enjoy a 20 percent discount on admission.
Upon arrival, park by the church and walk up to toward the mansion. Purchase admission tickets in the gift shop.
In case of bad weather, this event will be canceled by 9 a.m. the day of the event. Call the Norlands and listen to the outgoing message or check the Norlands Facebook page for updates.
For more information call 897-4366 or visit www.norlands.org.
PHOTO CAPTION: Ice-cutting demonstrations take place on Bartlett Pond, Norlands Road in Livermore, during a previous Norlands’ Cabin Fever Reliever.
