Celebrating the Education of 18^th Century Agriculture

Join Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites on Sunday, October 11 and Sunday, October 18 for Open Gate Farm Tours at Burnside Plantation. Penn State Extension has organized the Open Gate Farm Tours of Lehigh and Northampton counties for over four decades, with a primary goal of educating the public about local agriculture. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is opening Burnside Plantation as part of the tour to show a more historic side to agricultural farming. This restored historic farm was established in 1748 by James and Mary Burnside, both Moravian. The plantation features the original farmhouse, barns and farm buildings dating to the mid-1800s, and one of only two operating high horse-powered wheels in the country.

Guests are encouraged to bring the family and learn about farming in the colonial period.  Guided tours of the farm’s historic buildings and colonial summer kitchen will be available for a small donation. There will also be cider press demonstrations and hot apple cider in the Haas Barn.

Family-friendly activities include pumpkin decorating and colonial games.

Admission is free to the public. For more information on this event or Burnside Plantation, visit www.HistoricBethlehem.org. To learn more about the Open Gate Farm Tour, visit Penn State Extension at www.extension.psu.edu.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is a not-for-profit institution that brings to life three centuries of American history.  Historic Bethlehem tells the story of a small town of great influence, home to some of our nation’s earliest settlers, to America’s first municipal water pumping system, and to one of the world’s greatest industrial companies.  Historic Bethlehem is located in eastern Pennsylvania, only a 1.5 hour drive from Philadelphia to the north and 2 hours west of New York City.  Historic Bethlehem is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and a National Historic Landmark District.