TO SEE PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM THIS WORKSHOP, CLICK HERE.

Fred DePaul, a notable sheep farmer, who hails from Vermont will come to Howard Hall Farm to demonstrate shearing on our flock of Shetland Sheep using techniques from three separate centuries. His presentation will include wooly tales, and an antique hand-crank machine.  This presentation is suitable for children and adults who are interested in observing or learning the traditional art of sheep shearing.  There will also be a lamb petting zoo, tours of the historic house, and snacks.

Fred is the farm manager of The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth, Vermont, and has given demonstrations at numerous historic sites and schools, including Clermont, Hancock Shaker Village, and the Tappantown Historical Society.

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About Shetland Sheep:

The Shetland experienced near extinction when the industrial revolution and synthetic fibers decreased the need for all wools, and especially the colored wools.  The decline in the need for fine "natural" wools resulted in a drastic fall-off in the Shetland's numbers.  In Great Britain, several conservancies were established to help in the Shetland Sheep's recovery.

In 1980, Colonel Dailley of Canada joined in the effort to save this breed.  He introduced the first flock of Shetlands into North America.

A page from local sheep shearing history:

"In 1810 I attended his famous sheep-shearing, which attracted much attention, and acquired subsequently great newspaper notoriety…the large company was entertained with the most elegant and sumptuous hospitality. At a public sale on this occasion, sheep were bought with great avidity, at prices varying from fifty to one thousand dollars…there was an animated competition, and there were some earnest disputes for securing the purchase of select animals…Dr. Mitchell produced a brilliant description of the festival, and always classical and erudite, gave as a toast, “the modern Argonautic expedition, whereby our Jason [the Chancellor] has enriched his country with the invaluable treasure of the golden fleece.""

-Elkanah Watson, 19th Century

Registration Closed: Mercy will be returning for more workshops in Autumn 2008.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HER UPCOMING CLASSES AND RESERVE YOUR SPACE EARLY.

Mercy Ingraham "is a hearth cook, the culinary equivalent of one of those Revolutionary War re-enactors, and it is her conviction that the invention of the stove, while it's sure saved wood, has not been without its drawbacks."....On March 15th, Mercy invites you to join her over an open hearth, as she kindles memories from the first days of our 1780's Federal manor, and teaches this very special cooking class on preparing historic food atop the windy hill at Howard Hall Farm. The class will be followed by a signing of her new book, which will be available to purchase after the class. Lunch and dinner are included!
· "We shall prepare an assortment of dishes, and then consume them. While we are cooking over the fire, there will be lots of time to talk about the principles of cooking, and the techniques that were used by fire-cooks in the past."
· We will learn: soup, roasting, baking, stewing and grilling, and all food will match the era of the house.

In addition to eating the lesson, each student will take home copies of the recipes and a bibliography of great books for further study.

OUR BLOG POST ABOUT THIS DELECTABLE WORKSHOP:

PRESS RELEASE FOR THIS CLASS:

Contact:Reggie Young FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel.:518-945-1253
Email: howardhall.farm@gmail.com

Howard Hall Farm Opens Its Historic Hearth to the Public
Historic Restoration and Green Technology in Athens, N.Y.

Mercy Ingraham “is a hearth cook, the culinary equivalent of one of those Revolutionary War re-enactors, and it is her conviction that the invention of the stove, while it's sure saved wood, has not been without its drawbacks.” On March 15th, "The Open Hearth Cook" will be coming to historic Howard Hall Farm to host an "Into The Fire Cooking Class" and book signing. Howard Hall Farm's mission to restore their Federal-style manor using green and sustainable technology and Mercy's focus on traditional, sustainably-sourced cooking make this learnig laboratory an ideal setting for a workshop in creating recipes from the 18th century on an authentic hearth. They are joining forces to celebrate the discovery and restoration of an original Dutch Beehive Oven in the Federal Manor in the heart of the Hudson River Valley. This collaboration will take place on the 1780's hearth in the Federal Manor's Upstate New York kitchen.

The workshop fee is $125, and the book signing is free and open to the public. Class begins at 10 in the morning, and lasts until 5. This is the second in a series of three cooking classes being offered at Howard Hall Farm this March.

Howard Hall Farm is both an historic restoration project and a vehicle for educating people in sustainable, environmentally conscious restoration techniques. The site of our learning laboratory is a 1780s Federal stone manor in the heart of the Hudson River Valley. As preservation architect Carl Elefante says, "The greenest building is the one you don't build." In our restoration we are focused on dovetailing an acute attention to historic detail with the newest green technology, which will allow historic homes to go into the future as modern, functioning dwellings with minimal impact to the house and the environment. Our mission is to investigate, restore, and revive every facet of this structure in a green manner, and provide a forum for other interested homeowners and craftspeople to learn to do the same. In an effort to educate ourselves, we bring in preservation and restoration experts from all over the country to train us and everyone who attends our workshops in green techniques to preserve and revive our homes while minimizing their impact on the environment. Join us in our effort to RESTORE GREEN.

Workshop fee: $150

Registration Closed

 This hands-on lime washes and finishes training day will teach the greenest washes    and finishes techniques out there! Students will learn and practice the techniques on the historic house at Howard Hall Farm, our learning laboratory. Lunch and on-site materials are included.

VIDEO FROM A RECENT CLASS HERE

WITH RORY BRENNAN:

Video length: 6 minutes and 15 seconds

(JUST PRESS PLAY)

SLIDESHOW OF PICTURES FROM A RECENT CLASS HERE

WITH RORY BRENNAN:

To view upcoming classes, click here