Genesee Country Village & Museum Sap, Syrup & Sugar Review
Mar 23rd, 2009I had a very sweet surprise this morning when I took my kids to the Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Sap, Syrup & Sugar event. Even though it was quite gloomy and cold outside there was a line when we got there for both the museum and pancake breakfast. This yearly event draws quite a crowd and my kids were very excited to get in and explore! We started out with their all you can eat pancake breakfast which was very reasonably priced and offered pancakes (of course) with the best butter and maple syrup I have every had, sausage links and your choice of juice, milk & coffee. Once we had our fill it was off to the Nature Trail.
We started with the Sugar Shack, where they were demonstrating the boiling down process of the sap. We got to see all the equipment they use today to remove sap from the trees and how the entire process works, right down to how they make those cute little maple leaf shaped sugar candies. Next we were off to the old days where my daughter got to carry wooden buckets on her shoulders like the kids back then did. We even got to see the wooden tap in the tree that collected the sap in a wooden bucket below. My son was very interested in the man that was making a trough out of a tree trunk with an axe. He thought this was the coolest thing ever.
After checking out the camp and what the ladies were cooking over the fire, we made a quick stop at the rest house where we found a really cool display of bats. Along with the turtles in the cages next to them, this was a huge hit with my kids!
Even though it was a little rainy, my kids were raring to go and sped up the hill to the Village, where all the buildings and houses are. We walked by the Post Office, Tailor Shop, Church and Insurance Office, along with lots of other “businesses”. There was plenty of fun to be had in the buildings with the Welcome signs on them. My kids had the best time trying the Pancake Toss, making crafts and tasting Sugar On Snow in Thomson’s Tavern and Store. They were also very impressed with the flag display upstairs at the Town Hall. Little artists can make a tin ornament here for a small fee with the tin smith that works downstairs. Next we wandered into a house where the women were cooking and got to sample some yummy maple cookies. The nice ladies then let the kids help them prepare their spices for baking.
Overall The Genesee Country Village & Museum is an interesting, fun and hands on family experience that I recommend for parents with kids old and young. Don’t forget to stop in the cozy little Flint Hill Country Store on your way out, where you can pick up lots of unique little novelties!
Visit The Genesee Country Village & Museum at 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY 14511. Call them at 538-6822 |
