Date:
Repeats every day until Sun Aug 19 2012 .
August 18, 2012
August 19, 2012
Program Type (if applicable):
August 18-19
10:00am - 5:00pm
The weekend will focus on the history of printing as well as the continued popularity of the craft into the 21st century. In addition to the usual interpretation of the Otsego Herald Printing Office there will be period printed material, such as newspapers and broadsides, spread throughout the historic village. Visitors will be able to see the entire process involved in manufacturing books; from the manufacture of paper and type, to the setting of type and the process of printing on nineteenth century presses, to assembling and sewing the books. There will be plenty of hands-on activities as well, including setting type, sorting “pied type” by font, printing souvenir cards on a period job press, and making paper to take home.
Highlight Activities:
-
Try your hand at setting type, minding your p’s and q’s.
-
Print a souvenir card on the Liberty Press in the museum’s 1845 printing office.
-
Make paper to take home.
-
Watch pages of a book gathered and bound together.
-
Meet John Barrett of Chicopee, Massachusetts, who turned a passion for printing into a family business, Letterpress Services. John has spent decades acquiring letterpress “things,” which he has organized into a unique store of type and tools, supplies and materials, presses and other equipment for the letterpress printer. John will demonstrate printing, sell samples of his work, and offer starter kits and advice on getting started.
-
See how lead type is cast.
-
Sort “pied type,” a mixed collection of printing type.
-
Learn the origins of expressions such as “upper and lower case,” “out of sorts,” and “stereotyping.”
-
Meet Austin and Jean Jones of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, who offer prints and photography at art and craft fairs. Austin and Jean also share their knowledge of printing at the Heritage Farm Museums in West Virginia, and offer a varied perspective on printing from museum consulting and speaking engagements.
Plus all the delightful activities that happen every day at The Farmers’ Museum:
-
Take a spin on the Empire State Carousel.
-
Print a poster on the Liberty Press.
-
Build your own toolbox.
-
Take a wagon ride around the Historic Village.
-
Enjoy a heart-pounding band organ concert.
-
Watch how medicines were made in the 1840s.
-
See flax fiber transformed into yarn.
-
Experience life on a farm.
-
See rope being made.
-
Feed the baby animals in Children's Barnyard.
-
Milk a cow.
-
And all the activities in the Historic Buildings, all too numerous to mention!
Crossroads Cafe: Fresh homemade soups and chili, cold and hot drinks, fresh baked goods and ice cream (located next to Bump Tavern in the Historic Village)
The Farmers' Museum Store: merchandise based on the history and culture of New York State and rural America. Handcrafted items produced by our highly skilled staff and local artisans are featured. A section containing toys, games, books and crafts will please children of all ages! (located in the Herders Cottage)
Todd's General Store: original and reproduction 19th-century products such as ceramics, glassware, band boxes, tinware, brooms, candles, soaps, candies, toys and games. (located in the Historic Village)
