Depreciation Lands Museum's Hydref gives insight to 18th century life

The Depreciation Lands Museum’s annual Hydref – a Fall Festival and Market Faire will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 7.

Based on the traditions of old when the entire town and countryside would show up for the annual Market Faire, skilled 18th century crafts people, re-enactors and “sutlers,” purveyors of goods will be on hand. Guests can enjoy authentic music from the period, period-authentic soups and sandwiches with cider, and activities for the kids.

“Hydref,” means “autumn” in Welsh and was named by the early founders of the museum who were of Welsh decent.

“However, that area where the museum sits was actually settled by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians,” said Carol Greiner, president of the Depreciation Lands Museum.

Greiner is in her second term as president of the museum and is a lifelong lover of history.

“My favorite period is the Revolutionary War period and post-Revolutionary War. My husband and I started out traveling around and doing westward expansion events before we had children,” said Greiner.

The final vendor list has not been completed but Greiner hopes to again have the stand where kids can make their own jump ropes because it was so popular in years past.

“It’s really neat,” she said.

Children will be able to play games from the period and enjoy authentic toys. Another returning favorite is the make-your-own musket ball table. And, if the weather cooperates there might even be farm animals again.

“Mainly a goat, some chickens and some other little stuff,” said Greiner.

There will also be historical experts on hand talking and teaching about everyday life during the period.

“In addition to the stands where the kids can make stuff, we also have a long hunter display table where a gentleman will speak about tools from the time period and weaponry,” said Greiner.

Guests are reminded to peek inside the old log cabin that was built in 1803 and used to stand along the Pennsylvania turnpike.

“When they were building the turnpike, it almost got torn down but the township saved it and rebuilt it up here,” Greiner explained.

The Hydref festival is just one of many events held at the museum throughout the year.

Greiner thinks it’s important for children and everyone to see how people lived centuries ago.

“There is so much that the kids don’t get taught at school. The museum is a great place for them to get that extra information about history,” said Greiner.

Aside from the big festival on Oct. 7, the museum is open every Sunday from 1-4 p.m., May through October. Guests are encouraged to engage with the interpreters who are dressed in 18th century attire and performing daily activities from the period.

The cost of admission to the festival is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Guests can purchase tickets using cash or credit card at the gate or prepay online before arriving.

For more information, visit dlmuseum.org.