Fall festivals continue at Heritage Farm

HUNTINGTON -- The recurring theme at Heritage Farm Museum and Village's Way Back Weekends might best be summed up by one visitor on Saturday: To be so old, there's always something new.

What Tammy Crabtree was trying to say is no insult to the 500-acre village that boasts "a step back in time," but rather a compliment to the ever-changing programs, buildings and exhibits that keep the experience "fresh."

"When you come out here, you feel like you're reliving and experiencing the past, but in a different way every time," said Crabtree of Milton. "Things change, but everything stays the same. I guess it's a lot like Appalachia itself."

Saturday's Way Back experience focused on blacksmiths, tinsmiths and silversmiths, and their metal works. Visitors could tour the grounds, including the general store, museum, log church, one-room school and more while children enjoyed the petting zoo, wagon rides and tin punch crafts. The featured event included Charlie Bradley performing blacksmithing demonstrations.

"We're trying to pass on a little of our history and our ancestors to the next generation," said Randy Akers of Ashland, who visited the farm off of Harvey Road with his grandson. "I hope every time we're here he picks up a little bit and remembers it and some day can share these experiences with his own kids."

Two opportunities for Way Back Weekends remain in 2012, including a Nov. 3 event featuring hot glass and pottery and demonstrations of bead, glass and pottery crafting, and a holiday market with handmade gifts from area artisans on Dec. 1.