Miller-Cory House Museum Hosts Open Hearth Cooking Event in Westfield

The Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield invites the community to celebrate 250 years of local history on Saturday, October 17, with "Four Centuries in a Weekend: Open Hearth Cooking at the Miller-Cory House," running from noon to 5 p.m. The event is free with a free-will donation, making it accessible to families and history enthusiasts of all budgets.

The afternoon centers on eighteenth-century colonial cuisine, with open-hearth cooking demonstrations using period recipes and techniques. Visitors will see how families prepared meals over fires and understand the skills required to cook in colonial times. Displays and tastings of apples and cider—staples of the colonial diet—will be available, allowing visitors to experience the flavors of the era.

Beyond cooking, the museum offers a range of hands-on demonstrations. The Millstone Blacksmiths will provide blacksmithing demonstrations, showcasing this essential colonial craft. The event is sponsored in part by a Union County 250th Anniversary Special Project Grant, reflecting the community's investment in preserving and celebrating local heritage.

Costumed museum docents will demonstrate fiber crafts including embroidery, spinning, weaving, tin piercing, and lace making. Many of the activities are hands-on, allowing both children and adults to try centuries-old skills themselves. This interactive approach brings history to life in a way that engages multiple generations.

Museum docents will also offer tours of the fully furnished farmhouse, built around 1740, along with the gardens and historic displays. Visitors can explore the home where Westfield families lived and worked two and a half centuries ago. The museum gift shop will be open during the event for those interested in taking home a piece of local history.

The Miller-Cory House Museum is located at 614 Mountain Avenue in Westfield. Admission is a free-will donation, making this educational and entertaining afternoon accessible to all.

FAQ

Q: What is the Miller-Cory House Museum 250th Anniversary celebration?

A: The Miller-Cory House Museum is celebrating 250 years of local history with a special event called "Four Centuries in a Weekend: Open Hearth Cooking at the Miller-Cory House." The event features colonial cooking demonstrations, hands-on craft activities, blacksmithing, and historical tours.

Q: When is the event and what time is it open?

A: The event is Saturday, October 17, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Miller-Cory House Museum, located at 614 Mountain Avenue in Westfield.

Q: What activities will be featured at the event?

A: The event includes open-hearth cooking demonstrations using period recipes and techniques, blacksmithing demonstrations by the Millstone Blacksmiths, fiber craft demonstrations (embroidery, spinning, weaving, tin piercing, lace making), colonial apple and cider tastings, and hands-on activities where visitors can try centuries-old skills. Costumed docents will offer tours of the historic farmhouse (built around 1740), gardens, and displays.

Q: Are the activities hands-on, and can children participate?

A: Yes. Many of the activities are hands-on, and both children and adults are encouraged to try centuries-old skills themselves. This makes the event engaging and educational for families of all ages.

Q: What is the farmhouse and when was it built?

A: The Miller-Cory House is a fully furnished farmhouse built around 1740. It represents what life was like for Westfield families in the colonial era and provides insight into how people lived and worked during that period.

Q: How much does admission cost?

A: Admission is a free-will donation, making the event accessible to all community members.

Q: Will there be food or refreshments available?

A: Yes. Displays and tastings of colonial apples and cider will be available during the event, allowing visitors to sample foods from the colonial period.

Q: Is there a gift shop at the museum?

A: Yes. The museum gift shop will be open during the event for visitors interested in purchasing items related to local history and the museum.

Q: Who is sponsoring the blacksmithing demonstrations?

A: The blacksmithing demonstrations are sponsored by a Union County 250th Anniversary Special Project Grant, reflecting the community's investment in celebrating local heritage.