The Farmers' Museum® - Programs

The seasons of the year are marked at our museums with celebrations that echo the spirit and traditions of rural New York State.

Spring

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration | May 24 2008, May 25 2008 | 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am -3 pm on Sunday

Join us at The Farmers’ Museum for our Memorial Day Weekend Celebration, which includes demonstrations of sheep shearing, spinning, weaving and dyeing wool; the unveiling of a new portrait panel for the museum’s Empire State Carousel; the grand opening of the renovated Jonas More House; demonstrations of 19th-century crafts spotlighting The Farmers’ Museum’s fall workshop season; and a Heritage Plant Sale. Across the street at the Fenimore Art Museum will be the opening of the major new exhibition, Gilded Lions and Jeweled Horses: The Synagogue to the Carousel on Saturday, May 24.

Saturday admission (inlcudes both the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum): 11 adults, $9.50 visitors age 65 and over, $5 children age 7-12, free for children 6 and under.

Sunday admission: $11 adults, $9.50 visitors age 65 and over, $5 children age 7-12, free for children 6 and under.

The 2nd Annual Leo Conroy Clinic | June 7 2008
Riders enjoy a training session with Leo Conroy. Mr. Conroy is a talented and experienced teacher who has trained many successful ponies and junior hunters. In addition to being a top trainer, he is an “R” rated judge and has officiated at all the major indoor shows. Mr. Conroy lives in Wellington, Florida and is the owner of Leo Conroy Stables.

The clinic is open to riders of all ages, levels and abilities riding horses or ponies. Four sessions are available and registration is limited.

To register, download a registration form and send with payment no later than June 5th.

New this year “Leading Trainer Award” which will be awarded to the trainer whose horses accumulate the highest winning points in the show.

New this Year - The Farmers' Museum Scholarship

The Farmers' Museum is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to interested, qualified equestrians to participate in the clinic.
Interested riders should write an essay approximately 250 words or less, using the following criteria:
➢ Why you are interested in participating in the clinic.
➢ What are three things you would like to get out of the clinic.
➢ Why you feel you are deserving of the scholarship.
➢ What is your experience level, please include fence height you are comfortable jumping: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.

Participation in The 12th Annual Benefit Horse Show the next day June 8th is recommended, but not mandatory.

Essays should be sent to: Meg Preston, The Farmers’ Museum, PO Box 30, Cooperstown, NY 13326 and postmarked by April 18th.

The 12th Annual Benefit Horse Show | June 8 2008 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy a delightful day at Iroquois Farm.

Beautifully crafted jumps, representing local areas around Cooperstown, make for a beautiful show ring. The show offers equestrians the opportunity to test their horsemanship skills, featuring a range of classes for Open Beginner Hunter, Special Hunters, Children’s Hunter, Adult Hunter, Open Hunter, Equitation, and Walk Trot.

Competition begins at 9:00 a.m. / Admission for the general public is $2.00

Horse Show Prize List (pdf)

Annual Patrons' Luncheon

Reserve your tickets for The Annual Patron’s Luncheon. Enjoy a delicious luncheon coupled with ringside seating under the tent. Coffee and pastries will be available from 10:00 a.m. to noon; champagne, bellinis and mimosas will be served starting at 11:00 a.m.; and afternoon refreshments will follow through the end of the show. Tickets are $60.00 per person. Reservations for the luncheon are required by June 1st. Please call the Development Department at 607-547-1450 to reserve your seat.

If you have any questions, please contact us at horseshow@nysha.org

Click here for information on The 2nd Annual Leo Conroy Clinic.

Summer

Father's Day at The Farmers' Museum | June 15 2008 | 10 am - 5 pm
Fathers and grandfathers receive free admission to The Farmers’ Museum.

Grand Old 4th of July at The Farmers' Museum | July 4 2008 | 10 am - 5 pm

The Farmers' Museum, festooned with patriotic banners and bunting, hosts a typical 1845 celebration of our nation's birthday that includes patriotic music, games, dances, and orations.

Admission: $11 adults, $9.50 visitors age 65 and over, $5 children age 7-12, free for children 6 and under

61st Annual Farmers' Museum Junior Livestock Show | July 13 2008, July 14 2008, July 15 2008 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

The annual Farmers' Museum Junior Livestock Show is a true celebration of youth in agriculture. The show is the second largest youth competition in the state and the only one of its kind sponsored by a museum in the United States. This three-day event—a rural tradition in central New York—brings together the area’s best livestock and youth exhibitors from a nine-county region. More than 300 youth handlers and 750 animals are expected to participate. The event tests the skills of participants ages eight to eighteen who present animals (dairy cows, beef, swine, goats, and sheep of various breeds) that they own, care for, and have prepared for competition. The event is held at The Farmers' Museum's showgrounds, located on Route 33, River Rd., just outside the village of Cooperstown. The event is free and open to the general public.

Sponsored in part by McCadam Cheese

Thanksgiving at The Farmers’ Museum | November 28 2008, November 29 2008 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Farmers’ Museum will re-open its doors on Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving for a specially-designed program offering visitors a glimpse of how Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1845. Visitors will see a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal prepared over the open hearth at the Lippitt Farmhouse; visit our many historical buildings and do some last minute holiday shopping at Todd’s General Store and The Farmers’ Museum Store.

Admission: $9 adults, $8 visitors age 65 and over, $4 children age 7-12, free for children 6 and under and members of the New York State Historical Association.

Winter

Holiday Hoopla for Kids! | December 14 2008 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join the staff of The Farmers’ Museum for a festive celebration of the holidays meant just for kids! Spend the afternoon making holiday crafts to take home including gingerbread men, holiday ornaments, and stockings. Listen to holiday music and enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations.

Admission is free. We will be collecting donations and proceeds will benefit a local charity.

Children 5 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

Reservations are highly recommended. Please call 607-547-1481 for more information or to reserve your spot.

Candlelight Evening | December 21 2008 | 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Visit The Farmers’ Museum for one of the region's best-loved holiday traditions— Candlelight Evening. This festive event captures the holiday spirit in a celebration of friendship, family, and community, with caroling, horse-drawn wagon rides, winter games, and wassail.

Admission: $11 adults, $9.50 visitors age 65 & over, $5 children age 7-12, free for children 6 & under members of the New York State Historical Association.