Community Corner

Boileau Farmstead Festival Brings 18th Century to Life

Re-enactors, cooking demonstrations and animals highlighted Saturday's event, which was part of Willow Grove's 300 anniversary celebration.

Food, fun, and furry critters were aplenty at the annual Boileau Farmstead Festival, where living history demonstrators welcomed visitors into 18th century daily life.

Held at historic Boileau Farmstead, former home of state legislator Nathaniel Boileau, the festival was presented by the Friends of Nathaniel Boileau Farmstead to acquaint locals with the area’s rich history.   

“It’s one of those fun events that brings the community together, and it’s township-wide,” said Upper Moreland Township Commissioner Lisa Romaniello.

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Revolutionary War re-enactors from Newtown’s Crossing Community Church demonstrated rifles and bayonets and educated visitors about the era’s warfare tactics. 

Nearby, living history demonstrator Merry Ingraham showed visitors how cooks prepared meals, roasting a chicken over a fire and encouraging visitors to explore her cooking tools and spices.

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Children and adults held animals that visited from Sandy Hill Farm in Plymouth Meeting, snapping off pieces of carrot to feed to baby goats and rabbits. A border collie shone in a sheep-herding demonstration and sheep named Bob and Guinness walked amongst visitors, where they were petted like dogs.

Dina Sebold said her sons Nicholas and Christopher enjoyed marching with the re-enactors.

“The kids get to experience what it would be like to have been a soldier back then,” she said.

Glenn Brown, a Friends Board member and a member of Upper Moreland's historical commission, was also on hand.  

“It’s nice, every time we have it, more and more people become aware of the farmstead," Brown said. "Now it’s something that people look forward to."


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