Getting a brief glimpse into children’s activities of bygone days, families happily tried their hands at candle making, basket weaving and playing “Graces,” among other activities, during Historic Newton’s Homestead Hayfest on September 28, behind the Jackson Homestead and Museum on Washington Street.
Leah Sause, Historic Newton’s community engagement manager, estimates that about 550 people came to the free, annual event on a very sunny fall day.
While kids scampered from activity to activity, many parents wandered the backyard of the grand Jackson Homestead, which was built in 1809, shaking mason jars filled with heavy cream with the hopes of making a bit of butter. Some were more successful than others and enjoyed schmears of the dairy treat on crackers after 20 minutes of labor.
“It’s so fun,” said Susanne Hay, who came with her husband and three children.
Her son Calvin Hay, 8, played “Graces” with his dad, Jonathan. The game involved each holding two sticks and using them to toss a small hoop back and forth. While they may not become professional Graces players, they had almost as much fun as families enjoying free ice cream from Cabot’s.
For those not crafting cornhusk dolls, weaving baskets with yarn, or listening to live fiddlers, there was cidermaking.
Attendees lined up to work their muscles by turning an apple press and squeezing out liquid from the fresh fruit – drop by drop.
Several parents were visiting the Jackson Homestead and Museum for the first time were glad they came and said they’d be back. It is currently closed for renovations
