Historic Rock Ford embraces the season in 18th century style with a Fall Cider Celebration! This multi-faceted evening event consists of the following:
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM - Lecture: Welcome to Mark A. Turdo as he presents a lecture on "Cider: Pennsylvania's Once (& Future?) Favorite." Touching on everything from William Penn to Prohibition, this overview looks at how cider was historically made, its presence and importance in Pennsylvania, and where it's heading today.
This lecture will be held in the Langmuir Education Room on the first floor of the Rock Ford Barn.
About the presenter: For over twenty years Mark Turdo, historian and museum professional, has been researching and recreating historic alcoholic cider. He is especially interested in early American cider and cider culture, including who was making it, who was drinking it, and why it was more common than beer. In 2013 he began the Pommel Cyder blog (https://pommelcyder.wordpress.com), where he shares his adventures in cider research and his experiments in cidermaking.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Evening Activities: After the lecture, favorites Forbes Road Frolic will lend musical authenticity to our celebration with its traditional Colonial era tavern music. Weather permitting, music will be on the tent pad in front of the Rock Ford barn with fire pits and the glow of string lights. Food and both hard and non-alcoholic cider will be available for purchase!
Mark Turdo will be conducting living history demonstrations about 18th century cider. This interactive experience uses accurate reproductions and artwork to help guests understand early American cidermaking from tree to table and beyond!
In addition, the Snyder Gallery will be open for one of the last chances to visit our "Lancaster's Revolutionaries" focus exhibit.
Historic Rock Ford is comprised of the circa 1794 General Edward Hand Mansion and the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts. Our historic site is situated on 33 acres of gardens, woods and grounds surrounded by Lancaster County Central Park located in the southeast corner of Lancaster City. This remarkable estate offers visitors the opportunity to encounter the outstanding original late-Georgian style architecture of the Hand Mansion, to experience its rooms furnished in exquisite period style while, in the Snyder Gallery, to explore a nationally recognized collection of Lancaster County decorative arts dating from circa 1760 to 1820 including furniture, portraiture, long rifles, tall case clocks, silver, and much more.
Find more Rock Ford Foundation Events
