Father’s Day weekend join Kelley Farm staff as they work on typical 19th-century “fancy chores,” such as building feed boxes, repairing equipment and fences, and caring for the livestock. Guests can also bake treats from the farm house and help water and weed in the garden. Fathers are admitted free when accompanied by a child. Dates for this event are June, 20 and June 21 from 10 am - 5pm  Sat.; noon - 5pm Sun. 

 

Children’s Day is June 24 and Aug. 6 from 10am - 5pm. Children of all ages can join in the chores that kids did on farms more than 100 years ago. Help load hay into the barn; try to get the laundry clean using a scrub board; haul baskets of weeds out of the garden; and play 19th-century games.

 

Farmer’s Fourth of July is July 4 from 10am - 5pm. Celebrate the Farmer’s Fourth of July at the Kelley Farm. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lawn and watch the spring lambs and calves prance about. Visitors can also join in 19th-century games such as town ball, the precursor to modern baseball, and participate in an oratory and debate from the front porch. Enjoy the company of family and friends along with the farm’s constumed staff and celebrate the most important holiday in America in the 19th century.

 

Grandparent’s Day is July 30 from 10am - 5pm. Grandparents and grandchildren are invited to spend the day together engaged in 19th-century farming. Share stories with each other and the farm hands while experiencing the garden, meeting animals and helping with the cooking.

 

The Useful Art of Pickling is Aug. 15 from 10am - 5pm and Aug. 16 noon - 5pm. The useful art of pickling provided families with a variety of foods throughout the long winter months 150 years ago. Visitors will help make pickles while learning about sweet and sour pickles and other varieties that were popular with the Kelleys and famillies like them.

 

Visit the Minnesota Historical Society online for specific event costs, reservations and more information about Oliver H. Kelley Farm.