Exploring New England: Middleboro, Massachusetts
Last weekend I was going a bit stir crazy. Originally we had planned on doing some backpacking and WWOOFing during the summer months, but first trimester nausea kept me so weak I could barely go up and down the stairs. By the time I felt better, it was August and all of our time and effort was spent moving to a new apartment in Bridgewater, MA. We got settled, school started and I immediately got back to work on my thesis. I finally hit the point where I was sitting for hours with my books and accomplishing nothing.
I decided to go out for a hike, but when I go to the area where the trailhead was supposed to be, I couldn’t find any parking because a huge family reunion BBQ was going on. Since I’d seen signs along the way for a “Harvest Fair”, I decided to go back and see what that was all about. I ended up at the Soule Homestead Farm and Education Center in Middleboro, and I’m happy that I did because I’ll definitely be going back!
1. Sick of sitting in front of the computer, I decided I just had to get out and go somewhere. Anywhere.
2. I started driving toward a park in Middleboro and stopped at this 1724 cemetery across from a corn field.
3. Many of the gravestones that were still readable had dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
4. Traditional churches dotted the area, including this one first established in 1694.
5. Alternate view of the Congregational Church
6. I saw signs all along the road for a Harvest Fair so I decided to check it out.
7. Although the fair was about to end in an hour, over 50 cars were parked near the historic Soule Homestead.
8. Tables with handmade crafts, quilts, soaps, and jewelry by local artists were set up all around the farm.
9. From these ladies, I bought a 100% cotton washable, reversible quilted bag that should be perfect for diapers.
10. These guys were having an impromptu jam session between the midwifery booth and the herbal soaps.
11. Homemade soaps, scrubs and lip balm by Lydia Devine from Plymouth, MA.
12. The farm had dozens of activities for kids to do like doing crafts and getting lost in mini corn mazes.
If you want to sample of the New England fair goods, check out Lydia Devine’s LMP Soapworks.
This looks like it would be so much fun. Did you just come across this by accident? You can really see some unique and fun things at fairs like this. And that graveyard is really interesting too.
Yup totally by accident! I was actually planning to a do a short hike, but when I got to the trail it was overrun by a family having a reunion party. I wanted to do something interesting, so I just kept driving until the ‘harvest fair’ signs caught my attention! There are tons of old graveyards around here, and usually nobody pays attention to them. I find it fascinating to walk through the graves and read the names, most of which are straight from the Bible.
Hello Heather!
It was nice to meet you at the Soule Homestead Festival! Your blog is very interesting!
~Lydia
Thanks Lydia! The soap I bought is currently hidden in one of my drawers (so I can surprise my MIL) and is making all of my clothes smell great. : )