Another sign of spring in the mountains – the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site will open April 8 with a living history event, “Old Time Plowing and Folkways.”
The site of the first forestry school in the United States (hence the name “cradle”) is tucked into the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has trails, historic buildings, a stationary locomotive, hands-on exhibits for kids and grown-ups and nature-centered programs from spring through fall.
David and Diane Burnette from Haywood County will kickoff the Cradle’s spring season by demonstrating how their Percheron draft horses work the land the old way by plowing the Cradle’s vegetable garden along the Biltmore Campus Trail. Living history volunteers will demonstrate their crafts including wood working, candle making, chair caning, blacksmithing and crafting corn husk dolls. Events planned for the year include Migratory Bird Day April 29, the Songcatchers Music Series Sunday afternoons in July, and Forest Festival Day Oct. 7.
The Cradle will be open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., from April 8-Nov. 5. The Giving Tree Gift Shop at the Cradle offers many local artists’ creations as well as forest related books, maps, gifts and snacks. The Café at the Cradle will serve lunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for ages 15 and younger. America the Beautiful passes, Golden Age Passports and Every Kid in a Park passes are honored. The Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association provides reduced adult admission of $2 on Tuesdays.
From the Citizen-Times: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/outdoors/girls-gone-outdoors/2017/03/27/cradle-forestry-pisgah-national-forest-opens-spring/99685428/