Life on the Webster Farm
Join us for hands-on family fun in 2026!
January 24, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 23, June 13, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, & November 28!
Visit the museum on select Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and enjoy live demonstrations from our experienced team of museum educators. Each demonstration will focus on a unique aspect of early American work and play. Stop by and learn about the trades and activities of Life on the Webster Farm!
This program is included in museum admission. Enjoy FREE general admission for children 12 and under for this event!
See below for specific program offerings! For more information, please email events@noahwebsterhouse.org.
2026 Life on the Webster Farm Programs
January 24 – Early American Decorative Textiles
Textile production was mostly done out of necessity for clothing and other household goods. However, decorative needlework, knitting, crocheting, weaving and dyeing was an early American art form. See examples of textiles from our museum collection, watch our loom in action, & make your own textile creation!
February 14 – Noah’s Valentine
During the 18th century, Valentine’s Day became very popular. Visit the Noah Webster House to learn about Noah’s love life, read his love letters and then write your own letter to a loved one with authentic quill and ink, just like Noah himself!
March 14 – Webster Wool Spinning Day
Our costumed museum teachers will demonstrate how to spin sheep’s wool into yarn on our reproduction spinning wheels. Try your hand at “carding” the wool, finger-spinning or using a drop-spindle, while learning from a master.
April 11 – Dancing the Webster Way
Early America wasn’t all work and no play. People often had parties and celebrations and they sure knew how to “cut a rug!” Show off your dancing skills and learn a popular dance of the period: The Townsend Reel.
May 23 – Where’s Noah?
Waldo’s been found, so now let’s find Noah! Enjoy a scavenger hunt in our historic museum while also being on the lookout for Noah himself! If you happen to find Noah, you’ll get a small reward for your efforts.
June 13 – Historic Garden Tours
Our museum teachers will lead you through a tour of Webster’s east garden to explore how herbs were used for flavoring food, making medicine, fragrances and insecticides. You can even create a lavender sachet to take home with you… a relaxing and natural air freshener.
July 18 – From Milk To Ice Cream
Thomas Jefferson and Noah Webster may not have agreed on much, but who doesn’t agree that we all scream for ice cream? Thomas Jefferson is credited with creating the first ice cream recipe. Try your hand at making your own ice cream!
August 15 – The One Room Schoolhouse
Experience what school was like for young Noah Webster and his classmates in the 1770s. You will have the opportunity to write with quill & ink, use slates to practice lessons, and read from horn books & of course, Noah’s famous Blue Back Speller! Then, enjoy the same games students would play at recess.
September 19 – The Golden Age of Piracy
You may have speculated that famous pirates the likes of Captain Kidd and Blackbeard have visited Connecticut’s coastline, but did you know that our very own Noah Webster wrote a book on the dangers of piracy? Stop by to learn all about pirates, read from Noah’s book on piracy, & even create your own pirate flag.
October 17 – Pumpkins & Squash
Squash, including our iconic pumpkin, was a vital crop for Indigenous peoples and later the early American colonists. Today pumpkins are more common as décor and dessert. Guests will learn about the history of squash among early Americans, taste an early American recipe, & create a paper pumpkin.
November 28 – Hearth Cooking
Try your hand at cooking meals over the open flame in our 18th-century reproduction fireplace! Our museum teachers will discuss how the Webster family prepared meals, where the ingredients came from, & show tools that were used in cooking and baking.
