Maple Syrup Family Day
March 26, 2022
Visitors didn't mind a wintery-type day -- that made no difference. People came to the Richfield Historical Park to learn about life long ago -- seeing a blacksmith, rending lard, shelling corn, seeing how maple syrup is made -- and, enjoy some good food as well as a day outside.
New at the event this year was a delicious pancake breakfast. The
line snaked down the road while hungry visitors waited for the stack of
pancakes
drizzled with 'real' maple syrup and sizzling sausages. The
wait was worth it!
The wood burning sap evaporator was bubbling, filling the sugar
shack with steam. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one
gallon of syrup? It wasn't long before all the syrup that
had been produced and bottled this season was all sold. 
Some visitors had fun tapping a tree.
Despite the cool weather the Pioneer Homestead was bustling with activity for all ages. Our springtime lard rendering started with young people helping us grind pig fat which was then cooked down in our large outdoor rendering cauldron over wood flame. The fat was carefully ladled into crocks where it solidified into lard. A lunch of root vegetables and soup bones was also cooked outside over an open fire. Inside the log cabin you could smell fried chicken while kids were churning butter at the kitchen table. All our visitors also got to see how wool was being spun into yarn.
Meanwhile, goats could be heard bleating as you headed toward the log barn. Chickens welcomed visitors into the barn where kids had the opportunity to shell and sort beans for our upcoming spring planting.
Across the road from the Pioneer homestead, kids participated in a variety of grain processing tasks with the equipment displayed by an RHS good friend, Lavern Schmitz. Visitors also had the opportunity to buy a variety of maple flavored treats.
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The blacksmith shop was a flurry of activity with the 'smiths'
pounding the 
hot iron and shaping it into hooks and other useful items.
What a great way for the younger generation to see how metal tools were
made long ago.
Visitors, young and old, sampled the hot dogs, hot cocoa, and
homemade goodies. The signature treat of the Richfield Historical
Society, maple cotton candy, was very, very popular.
A
fun activity for everyone was to test their luck at the spinning wheel
to win a prize. Everyone won something from a piece of candy to a
bottle of maple syrup to a stuffed Richie the Raccoon.
After a fun ride to the north end of the Park in the people mover,
the Lillicrapp Welcome Center entertained visitors with a general store
and historic photos from Richfield.
A fire in the woodburning stove gave a pleasant aroma to the Mill
House while visitors viewed 
toys from bygone years.
The Messer/Mayer Mill is always a unique spot to see at any of the
RHS events. How could such a large building with all of its original
milling equipment be built so many years ago without a crane or other
machinery?
A big Thank You goes to all who attended, Richfield Historical Society volunteers, Lavern Schmitz and Forte Bank (Spinning Wheel Sponsor). You made this event happen. Another great family activity at the Richfield Historical Park.
Mark your calendars for this event on March 25, 2023
Facebook Comments from Attendees:
"Our family spent almost 4 hours there today and had a blast learning SO much! Thank you for such a nice event!"
"Great event, wonderful visitors and volunteers! Maybe next year a little warmer weather? Lol"
