May 2023 Programs at Island Farm

Island Farm’s May programs are listed below! Island Farm is open Tuesday – Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. All programs are weather dependent, and are ongoing throughout the designated time slot listed below. Please call Island Farm with any questions: 252-473-6500

Corn Husk Doll Crafting – Tuesdays, 9 until 11 a.m. – In the mid-1800’s Roanoke Island children still had dolls and toys like we do today – they just looked a little different. In this program, historic interpreters will teach visitors the process of making a corn husk doll. Dolls made during this program are the visitors’ to keep!

Yaupon Tea – Tuesdays, 12:30 – 2 p.m. – The only endemic caffeinated plant in the United States that grows prolifically in the harsh Outer Banks environment? You guessed it – yaupon. Popularized by Native Americans, yaupon is a black tea that became popular during the Civil War when ports were blockaded and the transport of English tea was impossible. “One lot of yaupon tea” was listed in Adam Dough Etheridge’s estate sale in 1869, illustrating the continued value and use of the plant, even after the Civil War. This program is hands-on and will explore the steps required to make yaupon tea – starting with collecting and stripping the leaves from the plant itself. Samples of yaupon tea will be available.

Wash Day – Wednesdays, 9:30 until 2:30 p.m. – Chores have never been so much fun! Meet us at the farm every Wednesday to witness the 19th century equivalent of a soak, rinse and spin cycle. Visitors can watch or assist with this day-long laundry process, while learning time-tested cleaning tips from a costumed interpreter.

Visit with a Banker Pony – Thursdays, 9 until 11 a.m. – Island Farm has two Corolla wild horses (otherwise known as “banker ponies”) living on-site. Join us to learn more about these incredible ponies, and how they fit into early life on the Outer Banks. Rainbow and Grace will be on the Farm during this program, where historic interpreters will explain the pony’s story and their role in local history, Visitors will be able to pet and interact with the ponies during this program.

The Braided Rag Rug Project, Fridays 9:30 until 11 a.m. – Join Island Farm historic interpreters in making a traditional braided rug out of scrap fabric, or “rags”. Popularized in the early American colonies, and still prevalent in home magazines today, this simple rug is the perfect group activity. Staff will guide visitors through the process of creating this thrifty and ingenious item while providing historical context. This activity is included with general admission.

Live Blacksmithing – ongoing from 9 – 3 p.m, Tuesday – Thursday

Old Man Scarborough at his yaupon tea “factory”, photographed by H.H. Brimley on Hatteras Island, ca. 1905.

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