Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/9/2019
WEST SPRINGFIELD – On July 13, the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield will celebrate Little House Family Day as part of the museum’s “Storrowton Saturdays” lineup of events.
The day will pay homage to Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House on the Prairie” children’s book series. The series, which first began publishing in 1932, has continued to be popular over decades.
“Little House Family Day is a great opportunity for families to engage hands-on with various aspects of pioneer life from the lens of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura’s portrayal of life on the frontier captures experiences that are very similar to what families in early New England were experiencing,” said Jessica Fontaine, director of Storrowton.
Fontaine continued, “Laura’s books also remain popular with many families and it’s a great way to tie literature, history and early American life together for families. Families are invited to bring their lunch to enjoy on our Village green and participate in hands-on activities for family members of all ages.”
The “Little House on the Prairie” television adaptation contributed to the popularity of the series, premiering in 1974 and ending in 1983.
The 2019 celebration of Little House Family Day marks the fifth year that Storrowton has hosted the event.
“Every year the activities are a little bit different, and are all connected to the Little House book series or elements of life Laura would have experienced,” Fontaine said.
Due to the popularity of the event in 2018, Storrowton Village Museum will be offering two sessions on the same date of the Little House Family Day. The first session will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and session two will run from 12:15 to 4 p.m. Fontaine explained that those who purchase tickets in advance would be contacted to reserve their space for their preferred session.
Fontaine told Reminder Publishing what guests at the event could expect to experience. “Activities include various hands-on craft activities to take home, an apple sauce making demonstration by former museum director Dennis Picard, a visit with teenage Laura portrayed by first person interpreter Rosalie Silliman, a workshop on food sourcing, music and dance, games, ice cream provided by the Storrowton Tavern, and even the ability to dress in costume throughout the program,” Fontaine said.
Fontaine said she feels it’s important that Storrowton Village Museum celebrates the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder each year.
“Laura is a character that children and families can still relate to today. Laura’s books, while not a chronicle of her life, do draw from her own experiences and provide great lessons on survival and resilience, concepts very relevant in 21st century life,” Fontaine said.
Fontaine continued, “Laura was a descendent of the Delano family, who arrived to Massachusetts on the Mayflower. Laura’s ancestral family lived in Massachusetts for over 100 years. Little House Family Day not only celebrates the life and literature of Laura, but the rich history of Massachusetts.”
Tickets to Little House Family Day cost $8 and are available online at www.storrowtonvillage.com. Tickets will also be available at the Storrowton Gift Shop the day of the event. Storrowton Village Museum is located at 1305 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield.
Other upcoming “Storrowton Saturdays” events for 2018 include Knit and Crochet Day on July 20, Mindfulness Day on July 27, Game Day on Aug. 3, Invention Day on Aug. 10 and Equine Day on Aug. 17. For more information, visit www.storrowtonvillage.com/p/events/storrowtonsaturdays.