It’s no secret that many of our residents love living in Newtown Edgmont because of all it has to offer. The area is so rich in history yet offers 
us the modern conveniences of hopping on a plane, train or automobile within minutes to get just about anywhere.
There is so much to do and explore in our community. One particular place is The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation. Set among 112 acres within Ridley Creek State Park; the plantation is a living history site that aims to enhance our understanding of 1760s -90s farm life in Southeastern Pennsylvania through hands-on, immersive experiences.
The folks at Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation are passionate about bringing the 18th Century to life for visitors by showing and teaching them how colonial farm families lived and worked during a significant period in American history. From offering educational field trip experiences, hands-on workshops, real-life demonstrations and outreach programs, to providing in-depth colonial experiences and children’s summer camps, the programs available to our students and our community bring the educational experience to a whole new level.
Sarah Lerch, an expert in public history and living history museums, is the Program Director at the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation and said there is something for everyone who visits. “In addition to our scheduled weekday field trip programs, the plantation is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from late March through early December,” she explained. “For a small entrance fee, visitors can embark on a self-guided exploration of the grounds that will take them through our working farm, skills demonstrations, colonial kitchen and our gift shop.”
Some exciting new programs this spring and summer are pottery and cider workshops, sheep shearing demonstrations and book talks with local authors. “We are also very fortunate to have wonderful community partnerships with Willistown Conservation Trust, Edgmont Township and CRC Watersheds Association,” Sarah added. “Together, we will be hosting a Streams Learning Day on Saturday, May 20th that will teach participants about stream habitat, water quality and why streams are so important to our environment.”
Sarah also said there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation. “We are a nationally recognized living history museum that operates with a small full-time staff,” she explained. “Much of our support comes from volunteers who work and live in our community.” Sarah also said that there are opportunities to help in every aspect of the plantation, from administrative duties to working on the farm, guiding visitors and teaching period skills like candle making, blacksmithing and hearth cooking.
Some volunteers participate in costumed interpretation and skills demonstrations for weekend programs, workshops and special events. Other volunteers work behind the scenes, maintaining the property, working in the kitchen garden or caring for the animals. The plantation is currently home to two horses named Toby and Ben, an Ox named Rust, nine sheep, a handful of chickens, two turkeys and their elusive barn cat named
Cousin. “We have volunteers ranging from five years old (with a parent or guardian) up through senior citizens,” Sarah added. “No experience is needed – we provide the training.”
For more information about getting involved, please get in touch with the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation at www.ColonialPlantation.org, call 610-566-1725 or complete the online volunteer inquiry form. Volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application to share their backgrounds and interests. Once the application is received, prospective volunteers will be contacted for an interview to determine the best fit at the plantation.