Curious Parents Places to Go

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Thanksgiving the way it used to be
By Carol Reed

Thanksgiving: It’s one of America’s favorite holidays. Families come together to gobble down turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce. All while the TV blares the two proverbial football games, one with the region’s greatest enemy: the Dallas Cowboys. Kids listen to their iPods, chat on cell phones, play computer games, and enjoy a holiday far removed from our American past. It’s difficult for them to visualize how our country has changed and how early Americans lived and worked. This Thanksgiving season treat the family to a hands-on, living history adventure and experience what early Thanksgiving celebrations, customs, and foods were actually like at some not-too-far and one far-away place that transport you back to the Thanksgivings of years past. 

In 1822, marine engine manufacturer, James Allaire, purchased a tract of land in Monmouth County, N.J., which today has become a living history museum of early American life, the Historic Village at Allaire. On Sunday Nov. 19, hop into your time machine, otherwise know as a car, preferably a DeLorean, and travel back to a 19th century bog-iron mining community. Celebrate Thanksgiving with the Allaire villagers. Begin with a Village Chapel service where the Reverend Tanser will deliver a harvest sermon. Stroll along the streets of the village, enjoy autumn foliage, and be welcomed into the home of  Company Manager Smith, where a crackling and fragrant open hearth, traditional holiday feast will be prepared as you watch. 

Costumed interpreters explain the foods and preparation as exhibitions of pie-making, cider pressing, and interactive colonial games are demonstrated. Craftsmen and women such as blacksmiths, tinsmiths, carpenters, and wheelwrights will be in their shops, gladly inviting visitors to lend a hand as they re-enact early artisanship. Be greeted into the home of Mr. James Allaire himself and share in the celebration with the affluent landowner and his family. Stop at the general store museum gift shop, or enjoy some cider and apple pie at the Howell Works Bakery. Hours for this free celebration are from 12p.m. to 3p.m. Visit www.allairevillage.org 

Pennsbury Manor is the rebuilt country home of William Penn in Morrisville, Pa. It gives families an opportunity to contrast the hurry of modern American life with the Manor’s re-creation of life in the 17 century. Through hands-on activities, explore the site where people of long ago lived and worked. Tour the Manor House and learn about William Penn’s two favorite beverages: beer and cider. And on Sunday, Nov. 19, enjoy an “Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration” of 17th Century cooking in Pennsylvania. The English traditions of William Penn are contrasted with the foodways of the Swedish, Dutch, German, Lenape, and other settlers of Penn’s colony. The construction of the original manor revealed Penn’s belief that life in the country was healthier than the atmosphere of crowded cities. Visit www.pennsburymanor.org                                                                

The granddaddy of all Thanksgiving celebrations is found at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Mass.—and it’s worth the trip. There are November feasts of all kinds. Head up on an overnight trip on Nov. 4, 11, 18, 19, 22, 24, and 25 enjoy a 1627 harvest dinner with the Pilgrims. And it’s okay to eat with your hands, as they did. Meals begin at 5:30p.m.

Foods include sallet, Mussels Seeth’d with Parsley and Beer, A Dish of Turkey, Sauc’d, Pottage of Cabbage, Leeks & Onions, A Sweet Pudding of Native Corn, Stewed Pompion, A Chine of Pork Roast’d, Fricassee of Fish and more. Reservations are required and the cost is $54.95 for an adult and $39.95 child 12 & under. Prices include museum admission and tax. Visit www.plimoth.org

Let the kids “lend a hand” and join one of these interactive history lessons that will become a fond memory for years to come.

Carol Reed is a middle school teacher & freelance journalist who specializes in travel writing. Carol’s journeys have taken her as close to home as the New Jersey Pines & as far as the islands in the Caribbean, New Zealand & Australia.