My last post featured my photographs of the Andover Historical Society Amos Blanchard House and Museum, but in addition to the collections, the society has many great programs for the community.
If you are into local history or genealogy, AHS's research library is a fantastic resource (they guided my daughter Grace and I in finding the information we needed to get a historical designation plaque for our house!), but they offer so much more than that. Among many other activities, they give classes on everything from woodworking to beekeeping, host special exhibits on local history, and run a weekly Farmers' Market from June to October. They also have great programs for local children -- my kids have enjoyed many of them -- including a program focused on what life was like for Laura Ingalls Wilder and teas tied into the time periods of their American Girl Dolls.
One of the most well-known kids programs is called "Andover at Work" which gives every third grader in town to a tour of the Amos Blanchard house by volunteer costumed guides who explain what life was like in 1830's Andover.
One of the most well-known kids programs is called "Andover at Work" which gives every third grader in town to a tour of the Amos Blanchard house by volunteer costumed guides who explain what life was like in 1830's Andover.
This Fall, AHS asked me to photograph the Andover at Work program (and invited my children to participate as well), and I was really impressed with the experience they give the children who take turns running a printing press, collecting eggs in the barn, playing with antique toys and games, participating in a bucket brigade, and learning about the life of the family who lived in the home. The kids don aprons for the program, and the girls learn to curtsy and the boys to bow.
If you are from the area and have never visited the Amos Blanchard House I would encourage you stop by. You can also visit their website to find out about the programs they offer for both adults and kids. And of course, you have to make a trip to the Farmers' Market this summer for some delicious veggies!
PS: If you want to learn more about the Andover At Work program, follow this link to watch a video that AHS produced using many of my photographs.
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