Farming the Past
by Kelly Ann Butterbaugh
As the sun’s rays fall upon the barnyard so do the leaves at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm in Monroe county. Dedicated to preserving the “history of America’s early farming families” the non-profit farm and educational museum operates just as it once did when the Depper family lived there from 1780-1913.
Luckily, the farm has been open to the public since 1963 as an educational facility which operates just as it did with the Deppers—no electricity, no plumbing, and no gasoline powered engines. Barefoot women spin yarn, cook over an open fire, and children can be seen playing hoop and ball in the field beside the barn. Yet, when the tourists go away the farm continues to operate in the same way. Modern ways haven’t found the farm, and during the winter season it’s the team of Belgian mares who plow the road rather than a snowplow.
A visit to the farm teaches the story of its beginning. The Deppers arrived in America in 1765 and walked from Philadelphia to the farm located in Stroudsburg. From there the family cleared the land by hand and passed it down through five generations before selling it outside the family. When it finally left the family in 1958, Alice and Wendell Wicks planned to develop the area. Upon finding the 18th century farmhouse still stocked with original tools, the Wicks soon learned the history of the farm and decided to preserve it instead. The farmhouse and barn were original, and as other buildings were restored Quiet Valley farm grew to what it is today.
What makes visits to the farm especially interesting are the various demonstrations and events throughout the year. Like any real farm, the seasons offer a variety of activities which make each trip unique. One of the more exciting events at Quiet Valley is the annual Harvest Festival held during Columbus Day weekend. Upon entering the Harvest Festival visitors realize that this isn’t an everyday visit to the farm. While the farm is usually just as its name implies, quiet, during the Harvest Festival it is a bustling place overflowing with people who join in the celebration of the harvest. Even the animals get into the spirit of the season. The cow, a Milking Shorthorn breed from the 1700s, is an active participant in her own game of bingo. Known as “cow flop bingo,” her usual dirt pasture is chalked into squares, and gamers bet upon which square will receive her first “flop.”
As with any harvest, aromatic German food is the key attraction. While the quilt raffle and the gaggle of women beginning what will be next summer’s quilt project attracts a crowd, so does the aroma of cider, sausage, and dumplings. With the exception of the plastic plates used for serving food, everything there is authentically 18th century. Apple cider is pressed on site as is the sauerkraut and horseradish while the pretzels, apple dumplings, kiln baked bread, and sausage are all prepared on site in traditional fashion. Harvest is indeed a season of plenty.
Like any trip to the farm, visitors leave Quiet Valley with a strong knowledge of how things were done there 150 years ago. “Family members” of the farm greet their guests as they show them around their bank house home and their 1850 barn. Efficient in all aspects of their life, the original settlers dug the house out of the bank to provide for warm winters and cool summers, partly thanks to the clay floor brought from the bottoms of the on-premise pond. The “family” who tour visitors through the homes and barns stay in character throughout the day and are skilled at speaking in the Pennsylvania Dutch style of their time. Many of them participate in apprentice groups held in the summer. It’s not a requirement, but it gives them a chance to hone in on their presentation skills before working for the farm. Many of the youths who work at the farm do so only in the summer months and on select holiday events such as the Old Time Christmas and Harvest Festival.
Dana Kraeutler, a young 18th century farm girl, took a break from her work to explain that it takes a great deal of practice to learn the skills needed on the farm. “It’s different working here. How many teenagers know how to weave?” she asks.
Danielle Snyder, another summer worker, explained, “The job is fun because I get to pet a bunny or milk a cow as part of my job.”
Through demonstrations by these workers, visitors learn that by shaking heavy whipping cream in mason jars they can make butter. With a pint of yogurt, some cheesecloth, and some herbs they can also make a delicious cheese spread. During harvest, griddle cookies are made on an open fire and the skills of egg etching and wool dying are all taught on the farm.
At the end of the day, visitors walk off the farm to the parking lot nestled below the ridge. It’s like walking through the time warp into the world of cell phones and supermarkets. Quiet Valley lives its life as it did before a car ever drove into its parking lot. The farm isn’t only dedicated to preserving the history, it’s living it.
