Maple Sugar Madness Demonstration

Where: Welles-Shipman-Ward House

  972 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT

When: Sunday, March 12, 2017

Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Cost: $5 per person, free to members of the Historical Society of Glastonbury

 

    Nothing compliments hot off the griddle pancakes, waffles, or French toast better than warm, freshly tapped and natural maple syrup. Sorry Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth, but your processed corn syrup, water and sugar aka “maple syrup,” doesn’t hold a candle to fresh natural maple sap that comes straight from the tree. 

On Sunday, March 12th (snow date March 19th), you’ll have your chance to see how REAL maple syrup is made. From 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Welles-Shipman-Ward House in South Glastonbury, The Historical Society of Glastonbury (HSG) brings you Maple Sugar Madness: A Demonstration of Maple Syrup Making Using Modern Tools. Glastonbury natives Mark Packard and his son Theo will take you through the maple sugar making process.  

 

    Enjoy colonial fife music and watch and learn about the sap as it transforms and boils in a large 2’x4’ pan over a granite fire pit. You will be able to explore the property and check out the sugar bush on the hill where the trees are tapped. You’ll get to learn and see first hand how delicious maple syrup changes from tree sap to syrup and ask any questions you may have along the way.

 

    The sap that is prepared and boiled during the demonstration won’t complete while you’re there. BUT inside the Welles-Shipman-Ward House, pancakes will be cooked on the open hearth using an 18th century recipe and served with authentic native syrup – so you will get a taste of the final product.

In addition to learning how to make maple syrup, Donald Preli of Belltown Orchards will be onsite providing an apple tree pruning demonstration at 2:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of if you are interested in harvesting your apple trees. By the end of the day you’ll be ready to make your own maple syrup and tend to your own apple tree orchard. 

 

    This is a great outdoor winter family event! The barns and the house will be open to tour. Big Bear Trading Company, which sells replica items which would have been sold up and down the Connecticut River in the 1750's, will be on site. Students from Smith Middle School’s Time Traveling Techies Club will be assisting as junior docents. All ages are welcome. Admission is only $5 per person and Free to HSG members. Parking for this event is available at St. Augustine’s Church and South Church. Handicap parking is available at the Welles-Shipman-Ward House. Please check the website or our Facebook page for more information and the most current updates on this event. If you’d like more information, please call the Historical Society of Glastonbury at 860.633.6890 or email HSGlastonbury@sbcglobal.net.