Maple Harvest Day Returns to Storrowton Village

Dennis Picard, Storrowton Village Museum director, demonstrates the art of open kettle evaporation to boil sap from a nearby maple tree into sugar during last year’s Maple Harvest Day. - Storrowton Village Museum, an educational arm of Eastern States Exposition, presents hands-on school programs and guided tours of its historic buildings throughout the year as well as seasonal 19th century-themed events.

Storrowton Village Museum will present its sixth annual Maple Harvest Day, Sunday, March 13th from 11am-3pm on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA. (FREE)

The history and lore of maple sugaring, a practice in Massachusetts since before the Pilgrims arrived, will be showcased through ongoing sap gathering and boiling demonstrations in the Gilbert Farmstead’s front yard with Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton Village Museum.

The free event will feature Sugar Maple tree tapping, sumac spile making and sap boiling over an open fire to educate the public about the origin and legend of the tradition.

Inside the historic building, docents will demonstrate 19th century open hearth cooking at the cozy kitchen fireplace as well as quilting and spinning wool. A selection of gifts and maple-themed items will be available nearby.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Storrowton Village Museum, an educational arm of Eastern States Exposition, presents hands-on school programs and guided tours of its historic buildings throughout the year as well as seasonal 19th century-themed events. It is the site of Storrowton Tavern/Carriage House and Storrowton Village Museum Gift Shop and is a picturesque, popular site for weddings held in its Meetinghouse and Gazebo. For more information on this and other Storrowton Village events, visit http://www.TheBigE.com or call 413-205-5051.

COOKING WITH MAPLE

Keeping with the spirit of our Maple Harvest Day, here is a 19th century recipe from Storrowton Village Museum’s new Maple Cookbook filled with recipes utilizing fruits of the Maple harvest.

Northern Border Maple Baked Chicken

1-3 lbs. chicken cut in pieces
4 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped almonds

Place chicken pieces in a shallow casserole dish or baking pan. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan on top of the stove and bring just to a boil. Pour over chicken. Bake uncovered in 400F oven for 50-60 minutes. Baste every 15 minutes.