Maple Harvest Day & Pancake Breakfast returns to Storrowton Village Museum on Saturday, March 14, from 10am-1pm. Learn about the history of maple harvesting in New England while indulging in a delicious meal provided by the West Springfield Lions Club and local sugar shack, Ferrindino Maple. Advance discount tickets for the breakfast are available for purchase at StorrowtonVillage.com, but walk-ups are welcome through 11:30am.
“It’s the first event of the spring for the West Springfield Lions Club,” said Aldo Paier, treasurer of the group. “From that point on, we are busy all year through The Big E. It is the best way to start our year, and we always look forward to it.”
Maple harvesting is an authentic, centuries-old New England tradition. Early European settlers learned how to make maple sugar from Native Americans then set up sugar camps near maple tree groves. Despite the time and labor production required, maple sugar was a very important resource that was regularly traded and sold. It remains a staple of New England’s identity.
The West Springfield Lions Club will be flipping pancakes and serving them hot off the griddle with pure Ferrindino maple syrup in the Village’s Greenwich Barn from 10am-12pm. Plates include a side of sausage with coffee or juice. Pancake breakfast tickets can be purchased on the day of the event or at a discounted price online now through Friday, March 13, at 11:55pm. All proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to Storrowton Village Museum’s year-round educational programming.
“People come no matter what the weather is,” said Jessica K. Fontaine, ESE Director of Storrowton Village Museum. “Our visitors acknowledge Maple Harvest Day as the start of spring, and we are happy that they choose to spend it learning with us.”
During the event, Storrowton Village’s historic Gilbert Farmhouse will be transformed into a sugarhouse, allowing visitors to learn how syrup has been harvested throughout many generations. From tree tapping to sap boiling, volunteers will demonstrate the process of harvesting and provide 19th century open-hearth cooking demonstrations. Guests will also have access to trade demonstrations, docent-led tours, trolley rides to the Eastern States Farmers Market and Wine Café and a glimpse at the second floor of the farmhouse. Ferrindino Maple will be offering information sessions, product tastings and selling maple items.
“I think it is interesting for families to come see the maple harvest craft,” said John Leary, past president of the West Springfield Lions Club. “There aren’t many places where people can see demonstrations like this, and they get to enjoy breakfast.”
Photography is allowed throughout the event. It is recommended that guests dress in layers and wear sensible shoes. The Gilbert Farmhouse is not wheelchair accessible. In the event of severe weather, Maple Harvest Day will be cancelled. For more information, please call Storrowton Village Museum at (413) 205-5052, visit StorrowtonVillage.com or find us on social media!
Eastern States Farmers Market and Wine Café
The Eastern States Farmers Market and Wine Café will be open throughout the Maple Harvest Day festivities, offering a wide variety of New-England-made gifts and apparel, edible delights, hot wine and wine slushies. Free trolley rides allow visitors charming transportation to and from Storrowton Village and the Farmers Market.
Storrowton Tavern Offers Maple-Themed Specials
Across the green, Storrowton Tavern will feature an exclusive maple-inspired menu alongside their regular lunch fare. Reservations are not required but are recommended. For a full look at the Tavern’s weekend menu, head to Storrowton.com.