August Events Announced at the Accokeek Foundation

Contact: Julie Brunton
Phone: 301.283.2113 ext. 20
Email: outreach@accokeek.org

The Accokeek Foundation is pleased to announce several unique events for the month of August. At the Foundation's National Colonial Farm, the Colonial Foodways program allows visitors to meet costumed interpreters and learn about colonial foods and cooking methods. On the gardening front, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer a Seed Saving and Winterizing Your Garden class, as well as a gardening opportunity for children with its monthly Nature Nuts program. Children ages 3-5 will experience an enchanted landscape at the Foundation's Museum Garden, and see first hand what's blossoming.

For those with a desire to volunteer, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer a new opportunity at the Foundation's Ecosystem Farm. On the third Wednesday of each month volunteers will help with weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is a wonderful chance for those with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship.

Our stories are the stuff of history and will be the focus of this year's African American Heritage Day, the Accokeek Foundation's popular annual event on August 22nd. Titled "Stories of Southern Maryland's Agricultural Past" and set against a backdrop of the National Colonial Farm's 18th century tobacco barn and historic farm house, the day will be filled with music, storytelling, and living history encounters with costumed actors and interpreters, as well as a variety of opportunities to learn and share stories of rural life.

COLONIAL FOODWAYS
Saturday, August 15, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3rd Saturdays Monthly from March through November
National Colonial Farm, Rain or Shine
Admission Fee Required, Members Free
Love food? Ever wonder how people cooked before microwaves or what people ate before fast food? Join us the 3rd Saturday monthly as costumed interpreters demonstrate preparation of fashionable foods favored by the tobacco-growing gentry in Prince George's County, Maryland on the eve of the American Revolution. Demonstrations vary monthly, and involve seasonally available foods, colonial implements and methods.

NATURE NUTS
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
11:00 a.m. to Noon
3rd Tuesday of each month, April through October
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$6.00 Non-Members, $5.00 Members
Limited to 15 Children, Ages 3-5, Registration Required
This fun-filled hour of exploration at the National Colonial Farm's Museum Garden is the perfect setting to learn about the wonders of nature. Designed for children ages 3-5, the children will hear a story, create a craft project, and go on an outdoor adventure. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

SEED SAVING AND WINTERIZING YOUR GARDEN
Wednesday August 19, 2009
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
Cost per class is $30 for Non-Members, $25 for Members.
The final class in our organic gardening series will discuss methods for collecting and saving seeds for next year, as well as the best methods for putting your garden to bed for the winter. By planning for this process early in the season, you will get a jump on your gardening for next year.

For more information or to register, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation at accofound@accokeek.org.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Every 3rd Wednesday
Ecosystem Farm
Free
The Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm is the Accokeek Foundation's USDA-certified organic vegetable farm. Located on an eight-acre field along the Potomac River in Accokeek Maryland, the farm is a model for farming for the future.

Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early as a brief, dedicated tour will be given promptly at 1 p.m.

Volunteers will help by tending to the fields, weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or groups with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship.

Please be prepared to work in the outdoors wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, hats, snacks, and plenty of water.

For more information and to sign-up to volunteer please e-mail volunteers@accokeek.org.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY
Saturday, August 22, 2009, Noon-6:00 p.m.
$5 Per Person, Children Under 2 Free, Members Free
Rain or Shine

Stories of Southern Maryland's Agricultural Past

Enjoy the music of Archie Edwards Blues Foundation, performed in the intimate atmosphere of the tobacco barn at 1:30, 2:30 and 4:15. Come to the barn at 3:00 pm to hear and share stories of tobacco and farming, stories that will be recorded and added to the Foundation's oral history archive. The barn will also provide the setting for performances of "Follow the Drinking Gourd" at 2:00 pm and 3:45 p.m. This special adaptation of the story about the role of music in the Underground Railway will be performed by members of the Foundation's award-winning Museum Theater Internship Program.

Those with a special interest in African American cooking can join foodways specialist Michael Twitty at the log cabin kitchen to hear and share stories of cooking and African American food and garden traditions. These stories will also be recorded and added to the oral history archive. Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to hear popular storytellers Jo Mimms, Brenda McKelvin and Sandi English. Textile artist Karen Hampton will provide lessons in weaving on the Foundation's recently acquired loom. Several African American museums and historical organization will be sharing more information on Maryland's African American history. As always, the farm experience will be completed by visiting our heritage breed animals.

There will be representatives from area African American museums and cultural organizations highlighting their collections, events and services. Food vendors will provide appropriate summer fare, and there will be demonstrations of traditional crafts. For more information, contact Tricia Hardin, at 301.283.2113, ext. 12 or by email at programs@accokeek.org.