Free event kicks off summer at Storrowton Village

Date: 6/13/2011

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Storrowton Village Museum celebrates the beginning of its summer season on June 18 with a free event for the whole family from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The village will be bustling with activity for Opening Day, including guided tours through the historic buildings and costumed interpreters teaching what life was like during the 19th century.

Join in the tradition with early American activities such as cooking over the open hearth in the Gilbert Farmstead, tending the forge in the blacksmith shop and learning lessons in the one-room Schoolhouse. Demonstrations on the Village Green include green wood chair making and early American broom making.

Visit the exhibit in the discovery room in Potter Mansion to see and touch some historic artifacts of the 19th century. The "discoveries" include an authentic straw mattress with a rope foundation, cooking utensils, blacksmith and tradesman tools and quill pens.

Aunt Helen's Herb Garden, an oasis of botanical plantings, will feature a costumed interpreter throughout the day to teach visitors herbal folklore and remedies.

Storrowton Open House tours continue all summer long, June 21 through Aug. 26, with guided tours for individuals and groups Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children younger than 6. Mem-bers of groups such as the Massachusetts Teachers Assoc-iation and AAA are eligible to receive an admission discount.

For more information about events offered during Storrowton Village's summer season, call the village office at 205-5051 or visit www.thebige.com/sv/.