LBL CALENDAR | The Homeplace
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Sat., May 17
9am-12pm and 1-4:30 pm
Broom Making
Invited Artist: Jack Martin,
Broom maker

Nationally know broom maker, Jack Martin, will be demonstrating traditional broom making. Jack, who was taught broom making by his grandfather, makes traditional brooms on broom making machine built by his great-grandfather. Jack's handmade brooms will be available for purchase. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with paid admission.
Sun., May 18
1pm
Splitt'n Sticks
The lowly tobacco stick was one of the most necessary tools of tobacco farming. It was split from hickory or white oak and was roughly dressed on the shaving horse with a drawknife and rasp. Come see how it was made and used on a 19th century farm. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., May 24
1pm
The Peddler's Visit
A musical jingle of pots and pans underlined the cry, "The Peddler is coming". Take the challenge and see if you can pick out the correct wares that were available for purchase in this area because of the river traffic of the 1850s! *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., May 25
1:30pm
Ratting on the Rivers
Fishing, hunting, and trapping on local rivers and their tributaries were significant pursuits for many early residents. Come see fish traps and learn early methods of catching and trapping river bounty. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Mon., May 26
10am- 12pm
Southern Fried Fish
Visit with the ladies in the kitchen of the Double Pen House as they fry up a mess of fish fresh from the river to feed the to the hardworking farm hands for dinner. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., May 31
1pm
Chair Caning
Watch the hickory bark we harvested earlier this month transform into a beautiful woven chair bottom. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jun. 1
1pm
Pryor Creek Ladies Sewing Circle
The ladies of the farm have decided to put on their Sunday best and meet together for an afternoon of sewing and maybe even a little gossip. Bring your needle and thread and join us in the parlor. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jun. 4
10am-12pm
Dinnertime!
Dinner, the noon meal, is started early in the morning with the food hitting the table around 12 noon. Call on the cooks as they prepare a hearty meal using a wood cook stove for the farm staff working today. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jun. 7
1pm
Ticks on the Farm!
Mattresses made of a fabric called "ticking" were stuffed to make the "ticks" they slept on in the 1850s. Help the ladies at the Double Pen House fill ticks with feathers, corn shucks or straw to get the beds ready for a good night's sleep. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jun. 8
1pm
Notions of the Nigh Ox
Through body positioning and verbal commands, the notions for the nigh ox should be controlled. We shall see! Meet at the ox bar to learn what makes an ox, how they work and to see the working steer in action. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jun. 11
1pm
Horses in Harness
See our draft horses at work and learn how these gentle giants provided the muscle and spirit that powered many local farms during the 1850s. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jun. 14
10am-5pm
South LBL Butterfly Count
LBL and the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) invite you to count butterflies during this annual census. No experience is necessary, learn as you go. We'll start at The Homeplace and move south through LBL, visiting streams, fields, and woods. Be prepared to walk and eat lunch in the field. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Bring water, binoculars and a butterfly field guide if you have them. $3 fee goes to NABA. Contact Rita Venable (local NABA chapter) at 615-503-9631 for more information. Carpooling recommended.
Sat. - Sun.,
Jun. 14 - 15
Saturday: 11am-8pm
Sunday: 12-5pm

Pickin' Party: Old-Time Music Festival
Born of the heartland, old-time country music will once again echo in the hills and hollows of LBL. Experience the best of old-time music through workshops, pickin' sessions, and energized performances of old-time fiddle, banjo, songs, and bluegrass music. Plus, bring your banjo, guitar, fiddle, or harmonica to join in on the fun during daily open mic sessions. Enjoy weekend performances by Leroy Troy, old-time banjo picker and singer; Mark Dvorak, specializing in fretless banjo, guitar and timeless folk songs; and The Dixie Volunteers, traditional string band. Saturday enjoy local bluegrass band, Carefree Highway, and upcoming old-time string and bluegrass band, Cumberland River Plowboys. Amsden Handcrafted Instruments will demonstrate and sell their handmade creations. Learn to play traditional instruments during mini-workshops. Through out the day, stroll through the historic buildings, fields and gardens, and talk with the 1850 farm family. Children's activities from the 1850's are scheduled throughout the weekend. Festival food and ice-cold drinks will be available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs or ground blankets. Saturday $4/$6; Sunday $3/$5. Includes same day HP admission. For more information, call 931-232-6457.
Wed., Jun. 18
1pm
Work Before Play
In the 19th century, children's chores had to be done before they could go out to play. Just for today, become an 1850's child. Visit the Double Pen House to dress in period clothes and help out with the chores on the farm. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jun. 21
1pm
"Stay Gee, Jake"
We need help! Hold gee and go twice to middle. Walk back in history behind a rastus, double shovel, or spike tooth harrow and learn why these tools were so important to an 1850's farm. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jun. 22
1pm
Puttin' by the Garden
Summer fruits and vegetables had to be preserved for the winter months; however, before home canning became popular, preserving was a slow, tricky job. Visit the ladies of The Homeplace as they "put-by" the garden and orchard harvest. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jun. 25
10am-12pm
Dinnertime!
Dinner, the noon meal, is started early in the morning with the food hitting the table around 12 noon. Call on the cooks as they prepare a hearty meal using a wood cook stove for the farm staff working today. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jun. 28
1:30pm
Powder, Patch, and Ball
Muzzle-loading rifles may seem inefficient compared to modern firearms; however, they were a key to the elimination of elk and bison from the region by 1850. Cover your ears as we demonstrate these historic firearms. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jun. 29
1pm
Period Pastimes
Today's children might play on computers, skateboards, or soccer teams, but children in the 1850s had just as much fun listening to stories, or playing with homemade toys and games. Join in on the fun as we enjoy a bit of leisure time on the farm. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jul. 2
1-3pm
I Spy Iron Scavenger Hunt
The iron industry was very important to people living Between the Rivers in the 1850s. Many items they used daily were made of iron. Come to The Homeplace today for an iron scavenger hunt. As you tour the farm see how many items you can find that are made of iron. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Fri., Jul. 4
1-4pm
Independence Day
Enjoy an afternoon of holiday fun and entertainment at The Homeplace as we celebrate one of the biggest holidays in the 1850s, Independence Day. Festivities kick off with a visit from the popular Kentucky statesman, Henry Clay, as he regales us with stories of his life: his adventures as a Kentucky senator, Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, and his unsuccessful run for the presidency. Then let the games begin! Join in on the fun! Play old-time games, enjoy a cool slice of watermelon, and cool off under the shade of the maple trees while enjoying music and a few tall tales. The day will end with a bang as a paper hot air balloon is launched into the sky to celebrate the biggest holiday of the 1850s, Independence Day. Henry Clay is portrayed by George McGee and the program is funded in part by the Kentucky Humanities council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jul. 5
10am-12pm and 1-4pm
19th Century Photography:
Invited Artist: Tim Parson, Wet Plate Artist

Imagine a time when the image of loved ones was only achieved by an artist's brush. Then perhaps you can imagine the excitement that photography created in the mid 1800s! Relive the excitement of having your "image struck" when you visit with historic photography expert Tim Parson. Throughout the day, using period photography equipment, Mr. Parson will demonstrate the techniques of 1800's photography, and display his collection of historic and reproduced photographs. Mr. Parson will be available to take photographs on a first-come, first-served, basis for a fee. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jul. 6
1pm
Berries + Fruits + Sweets = Summer Treats!
We've been to the blackberry patch with our pails to pick fresh juicy berries. We've also had the long fruit pole picker in the orchard to get those delicious apples and peaches. Now come by the kitchen and see what the ladies have created with these summertime treats. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jul. 9
1pm
Notions of the Nigh Ox
Through body positioning and verbal commands, the notions for the nigh ox should be controlled. We shall see! Meet at the ox barn to learn what makes an ox, how they work, and to see the working steer in action. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jul 12
1pm
Don't Fence Me In
Fence in the crops and fence out the animals. Learn universal ways of using natural materials for building miniature fences, cribs, and cages. Children are encouraged to create and adults will be tolerated. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jul. 13
2pm
What's Draft Power Anyway?
Have you ever wondered about the term "draft" animal or just how the different parts of a horse's harness are used for work? Come to the horse barn for explanations and more as we prepare one of the horses to do some work around the farm. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jul. 16
1pm and 2pm
Summer School?!?
In the mid-19th century, children attended school 3 to 6 months of the year and only when they weren't needed on the farm. Dress in period clothing and join our class for a sample lesson 1850's style. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jul. 19
1pm
Summer's Bouquet of Color
Both wild and cultivated summer flowers are in full bloom. Come to the yard of the Single Pen House and learn how to create a bouquet of color for dying using these plants. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jul. 20
1pm
Puttin' by the Garden
Summer fruits and vegetables had to be preserved for the winter months; however, before home canning became popular, preserving was a slow, tricky job. Visit the ladies of The Homeplace as they "put-by" the garden and orchard harvest. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jul. 23
10am-12pm
Dinnertime!
Dinner, the noon meal, is started early in the morning with the food hitting the table around 12 noon. Call on the cooks as they prepare a hearty meal using a wood cook stove for the farm staff working today. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Jul. 26
1-3pm
Tomato-mania!
Today we'll have a number of wonderful, old type heirloom tomatoes available for display and discussion as we dig into tomato history and horticulture. Vote for your favorite tomato during our taste test as we democratically decide which tomato is tops to sink your teeth in to! Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Jul. 27
1pm
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
Insects could make living in the 1850s very uncomfortable as they could cause everything from rashes to epidemics. A desperate housewife tried many different home remedies to free her home of these unwanted guests. If these tiny animals caused an illness in her family, she again turned to home remedies for a cure. Join in the "fun" as we create concoctions meant to prevent, as well as cure, insect borne summer maladies. Program free with HP admission.
Wed., Jul. 30
1pm
Horses in Harness
See our draft horses at work and learn how these gentle giants provided the muscle and spirit that powered many local farms during the 1850s. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Aug. 9
1pm
Invited Artist: Cumberland River Plowboys Old-Time String Band
Join us this afternoon in the shade of the maple trees to enjoy cool slices of watermelon and musical melodies of the Cumberland River Plow Boys. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Aug. 10
1pm
Black Patch Blues
Known as the 13 month crop, raising dark fired tobacco is a succession of endless work. Today we will be suckering or worming. Old-timers claimed to bite the heads off of tobacco worms. Join us and you can too! Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Aug. 16
9:30am-4pm
Children's Festival: Children's Life on The Farm
Life for a child on a farm was busy with lots of daily chores, helping their parents with farm work, attending school, and playing with homemade toys and games. Come early and experience the variety of children's farm activities. *Ideal for Home Educators. $3/$4.
Sat., Aug. 23
1:30pm
Smooth Cutting
The farm is a busy place and our tools show it in their dull edges. Drop by the tool barn and learn of 19th century techniques for sharpening a variety of day-to-day tools. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Aug. 24
1pm
Puttin' by the Garden
Summer fruits and vegetables had to be preserved for the winter months; however, before home canning became popular, preserving was a slow, tricky job. Visit the ladies of The Homeplace as they "put-by" the garden and orchard harvest. Program free with HP admission.
Sat., Aug. 30
1-4pm
Storytelling Festival
Since ancient times, telling stories was a way of passing on family history and folklore from one generation to another. In keeping with that ancient tradition, The Homeplace will host its First Annual Storytelling Festival featuring talented local storytellers. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission.
Sun., Aug. 31
2pm
Dr. J. P. McGilicutty's Traveling Medicine Show
Do you feel ill? Have no fear, Dr. J.P. McGilicutty is returning to The Homeplace with a full supply of his wonderful elixir. Or, if you are in good health, just come and be entertained by the good Doctor's dramatic presentation of a traveling medicine show complete with musical performances by the Cumberland River Plowboys Old-Time String Band, a Punch & Judy puppet show, and more. Don't be late, your health can't wait! Program free with HP admission.
Mon., Sep. 1
1pm
Period Pastimes
Today's children might play on computers, skateboards, or soccer teams, but children in the 1850s had just as much fun listening to stories, or playing with homemade toys and games. Join in on the fun as we enjoy a bit of leisure time on the farm. Program free with HP admission.