Special events to look forward to
Our event themes for this year are centered around the year 1775, as part of the celebrations for the Nation's 250th birthday.
Attend any of our major events for an immersive and engaging journey into the past, and discover how the major events of the American Revolution impacted small frontier farms and families.
Featuring special guest lecturers, numerous living history crafts and presentations, and interactive elements, each event is sure to delight. Plan to visit all four and take this journey through time with us!
Each event will also feature food and drink vendors, along with special membership opportunities in our Welcome Tents and Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 10th, 10am to 4pm
1775: Spring on the Farmstead
Join us for a captivating journey back in time at Spring on the Farmstead, where we celebrate frontier life in 1775! Experience traditional domestic life around the hearth and home, and learn the timeless craft of baking with guest historian Daniel Sieh. Discover the vital roles women played in farming, gardening, and agriculture, and explore how families managed goats and sheep through our new ‘Animal Husbandry on the Frontier’ initiative.
To mark the launch of this exciting chapter for the Conococheague Institute, we invite the community to a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by patriotic airs by the Uxbridge Fife and Drum!
This immersive event offers a fun, educational experience and a deeper connection to history as the nation commemorates the 250th Anniversary of these momentous events. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!
Tasty food and drink vendors make this a full day experience, this event is sponsored by the Americana Corner Preserving America Partners program, sponsored by F&M Trust, and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
The first 1000 visitors will receive a free ice cream from Antietam Dairy thanks to our friends at Middletown Valley Bank.
Saturday, June 14th, 10am to 4pm
1775: A Call to Arms
Step back to the early days of the American Revolution at 1775: A Call to Arms, an immersive 18th-century living history event!
With the siege of Boston underway, and the Battle of Bunker Hill about to occur, the tavern is a hotbed for discussion about joining the fight. We're hosting the German Regiment, who will engage in firelock demonstrations, interactive militia drills, and a day in the life of an 18th century soldier.
Music and camp tunes will be provided by Forbes Road Frolic on period instruments, and guest speaker Jack Weaver will lead a presentation on the Pennsylvania Rifle at 12pm in our speaker tent.
Learn about military baking with historian Daniel Sieh as he prepares ships' biscuits, a staple for soldiers of the time.
Experience the indigenous perspective of the period through insightful presentations by Pocomoke cultural ambassador Drew Shuptar Rayvis.
Help the women of the homestead adapt to the increased role they took, as men departed for militia duties, the Siege of Boston and beyond.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore history from multiple angles—through the sights, sounds, and stories that shaped 1775!
Tasty food and drink vendors make this a full day experience, this event is sponsored by the Americana Corner’s Preserving America Partners program, and sponsored by F&M Trust, Visit Hagerstown, Washington County Visitors Bureau, and Walmart!
Saturday, October 18th, 10am to 6pm
1775: Harvest on the Homestead
Join us for 1775: Harvest on the Homestead, a lively 18th-century living history event celebrating the season’s bounty! Experience traditional grape stomping (pigéage) for wine, harvesting apples for cider making, and live beer brewing demonstrations by Oakgrove Farm.
Discover hearth cooking techniques and savor the flavors of the past, and bring in the produce directly from the garden.
Celebrate the harvest with dance, courting, and games that brought the community together during this festive time of year, then gather round our Bonfire for our special evening tradition!
Don’t miss this hands-on, interactive experience that brings history to life in a fun and engaging way!
Tasty food and drink vendors make this a full day experience, this event is sponsored by the Americana Corner’s Preserving America Partners program, and by F&M Trust.
Saturday, December 13th, 10am to 4pm
1775: A Colonial Christmas
Journey back in time at 1775: A Colonial Christmas! Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of an 18th-century holiday season.
Watch a colonial feast being prepared, try your hand at baking traditional gingerbread, and join in the festive spirit with Wassailing and old-fashioned games.
Explore a selection of local food and craft vendors, and don’t forget to find the perfect stocking stuffer in our charming store. Bring the whole family for a hands-on, historic holiday celebration!
Tasty food and drink vendors make this a full day experience, this event is sponsored by the Americana Corner’s Preserving America Partners program, and generous community partners.
We hope you will bring your friends and family to all these events (and our weekly Saturday Programs too).
For more information contact us and stay tuned for more announcements and press releases as we move forward
Collaborations and Outreach
At the Conococheague Institute we are proud to partner with organizations in the area that are in line with our mission to preserve our cultural and natural resources.
You can often find CI doing outreach and partner events and vice versa. Some groups even use CI as a host for some of their own programs.
Soar will be using CI's grounds and trails on May 3rd and 17th. and November 1st and 15th. Walks start at 8am at the Visitor Center and are free to all. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and may bring identification books and binoculars. Free.
Check their Calendar of Events to find the location for specific dates, or email them at: info@natureandcultureinstitute.org.
To learn more about the Institute visit https://natureandcultureinstitute.org/
Event Sponsorships
Our Events are made Possible thanks to our Donors, Grants and Event Sponsors. To learn more about how you can support these great community events at CI contact info@cimlg.org
After successful growth, being named 2022 Non-Profit of the Year from the CVBA, outstanding educational programs, and national recognized programs CI is in an incredible position for a vibrant and exciting Event Year.
With smaller free educational events and workshops making our site accessible and open to all, larger holiday themed events for Bonfire Night and Christmas, an event sponsorship can make a huge impact on 1000's of members of the community, while having your business recognized in its support of our Cultural and Natural Resources.
Align your business with engaging, innovative programs and events that encourage a love and appreciation of our History and Natural Environment with families and donors of the Conococheague Institute. Our patrons are a mixture of highly educated, affluent members passionate about preserving our resources for the next generation, and families with young children interested in hands on experiences that will shape their lives and education.
We offer varying levels of sponsorships with associated benefits and are happy to work with you to create unique packages that meet your needs.