Savor the change of seasons during Celebration of Autumn at The Farmers’ Museum. This tribute to the beauty and fun autumn brings was developed in place of the museum’s traditional fall events. Every day of the week, visitors will find activities relating to the season with additional happenings planned for each weekend.

Every day of the week, visitors will find fun fall activities including…

• A hay bale maze for kids
• A scarecrow contest
• Corn shelling and grinding
• Apple pressing
• Demos of 19th-century trades
• Animals in the Children’s Barnyard
• Demos of 19th-century farming techniques in the fields
• Hand-made creations in our shop
• And much more!

Weekend Activities – Food Trucks and more…
October 10-11: The Grapevine (Mediterranean food), Otsego County Dairy Promotion (Dairy Princess), and the Leatherstocking Beekeepers

Visitors of all ages will have fun in the museum’s Country Village and Farmstead–experiencing what it was like living in upstate New York during the autumn season in the mid-1800s. The knowledgeable visitor guides tell the story in the museum’s bygone setting. See the grounds decorated for the season with cornstalks, pumpkins, and hay bales. There’s also a hay bale maze for kids and a scarecrow contest.

Each day, visitors will find demonstrations reflecting 19th-century trades. Interact with our printer, pharmacist, and broom maker, each stationed in our spacious Main Barn. In the open air of the Country Village, the blacksmith, the weaver, and a fiddler show off their talents outside historic buildings. At the Lippitt Farmstead, see the friendly farm animals in the Children’s Barnyard and farming demonstrations out in the fields. Children will enjoy additional agricultural activities that include corn shelling and grinding, and apple pressing. The museum’s oxen team will also parade around the village at various times throughout the day.

In the Main Barn, see the famous Cardiff Giant and then check out our exhibit, Brew: New York’s Craft Beer Revival. Central New York’s breweries and beer experts share their stories and process. This vibrant and engaging exhibition features objects, images, and text highlighting the history of New York State brewing, hops, and barley up to the present day. The exhibit closes on October 31.

Get a head-start on your holiday shopping in The Farmers’ Museum Store. Discover hand-made creations by local artisans plus items made at the museum in the Main Barn. The Crossroads Café is open during museum hours, offering box lunches, cold drinks, and pre-packaged snacks with other autumn-themed food provided on weekends.

Please note, buildings in the Country Village and the Empire State Carousel are still closed to maintain a safe environment for visitors and staff. Face masks or coverings are required at all times for visitors two and over, except when eating or drinking. Free single-use masks will be available at the entrances for visitors who arrive without sufficient protection. Visitors who are not part of the same household should stay socially distanced at all times.