September Events Announced at Accokeek Foundation

Contact: Julie Brunton
Phone: 301.283.2113 ext. 20
Email: outreach@accokeek.org

The Accokeek Foundation is pleased to announce several exciting events for the month of September. At the Foundation's National Colonial Farm, the Colonial Foodways program allows visitors to meet costumed interpreters and learn about colonial foods and cooking methods. The Foundation is offering a gardening opportunity for children with its monthly Nature Nuts program. Children ages 3-5 will experience an enchanted landscape at the Foundation's Museum Garden, and see first hand what's blossoming.

For those with a desire to volunteer, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer two new exceptional opportunities. We'll be welcoming volunteers to the Foundation's Ecosystem Farm the third Wednesday of each month for weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is a wonderful chance for those with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship. For those volunteers interested in being a part of living history, the Stitch N' Time Textiles Volunteer Club will meet the 4th Saturday of each month to sew, knit, spin, and weave materials for use at the Foundation's National Colonial Farm.

NATURE NUTS
Tuesday, September, 15, 2009
11:00 a.m. to Noon
3rd Tuesday of each month, April through October
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$6.00 Non-Members, $5.00 Members
Limited to 15 Children, Ages 3-5, Registration Required
This fun-filled hour of exploration at the National Colonial Farm's Museum Garden is the perfect setting to learn about the wonders of nature. Designed for children ages 3-5, the children will hear a story, create a craft project, and go on an outdoor adventure. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Every 3rd Wednesday
Ecosystem Farm
Free
The Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm is the Accokeek Foundation's USDA-certified organic vegetable farm. Located on an eight-acre field along the Potomac River in Accokeek Maryland, the farm is a model for farming for the future.

Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early as a brief, dedicated tour will be given promptly at 1 p.m.

Volunteers will help by tending to the fields, weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or groups with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship.

Please be prepared to work in the outdoors wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, hats, snacks, and plenty of water.

COLONIAL FOODWAYS
Saturday, September 19, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3rd Saturdays Monthly from March through November
National Colonial Farm, Rain or Shine
Admission Fee Required, Members Free
Love food? Ever wonder how people cooked before microwaves or what people ate before fast food? Join us the 3rd Saturday monthly as costumed interpreters demonstrate preparation of fashionable foods favored by the tobacco-growing gentry in Prince George's County, Maryland on the eve of the American Revolution. Demonstrations vary monthly, and involve seasonally available foods, colonial implements and methods.

STITCH N' TIME TEXTILES CLUB VOLUNTEERS
Saturday, September 26, 2009
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Every 4th Saturday
Museum Out Kitchen, Rain or Shine
Free
Ewe like knitting? Sewing? Spinning wool? Then bring your wheels and needles and be a part of living history at the Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm. The Stitch 'n Time Textiles Club will meet the 4th Saturday of each month, beginning April 25th, 2009 from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Enjoy learning about the cultivation of fleece, wool dying, and colonial textiles. Club members will use wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep to card, spin, and knit. For those more handy with a sewing needle, join us in creating 18th century clothing for our costumed interpreters. And if you know how to use a Leclerc four harness loom, come do some weaving!