by Thaddeus Flint
A lot of people seem to think there isn’t too much going on in a small town. These little places along the road are seen as sleepy, quiet, even boring. And whatever is going on in them couldn’t be all that interesting, could it?
A new museum opening in New Lebanon at the end of August is going to try to show otherwise.
Behold! New Lebanon describes itself as “the nation’s first living museum of contemporary rural American life.”
[private]The idea is to get some of those creative and fascinating people who make New Lebanon such a creative and fascinating place, and have them share their skills and ideas with those who might have never even known that these people existed.
So who are these people?
“We are farmers, florists, beekeepers, auto mechanics, car racers, gardeners, homesteaders, cattle breeders, foragers, toy makers, herbalists, naturalists, singers, volunteer fire fighters, hunters, writers, quilters, bakers and more…” says the Museum.
“The support from New Lebanon has been tremendous,” says Behold! New Lebanon President Ruth Abram, who also founded The Tenement Museum on Manhattan’s old Lower East Side. “Over 40 individuals have stepped forward to serve as ‘country guides’.”
Over four weekends, August 29 – September 1, September 12 – 14, October 10 -12 and October 31 – November 2, these “country guides” will be holding demonstrations and workshops throughout the town, giving visitors an in-depth look at everyday rural life.
It might seem that the Museum is oriented toward folks from out of town, big-city people who might have trouble connecting a cow to their cappuccino. But perusing through the list of events scheduled for the first weekend, there looks to be quite a bit happening, and even life long ruralists should be able to pick out a few activities that will interest them.
“Never before has the variety of aspects of rural life been so accessible,” said Abram.
Cows
Cows come in many different varieties, for example. Cynthia Creech is going to introduce you to her herd of Randall cows, a rare breed on the brink of disappearing before Creech saved them in Vermont and brought them to New Lebanon by way of Tennessee.
Foraging
Local mushroom expert Roger Boutard will be pointing out all the tasty wild things most of us probably just trample on, as he guides a survival walk through forests and fields.
The Abode
Do you know who the Sufis are? Many do not, even though the Universal Order of Sufis have been headquartered in New Lebanon since 1975. Have a vegetarian lunch with some Sufis at their Abode and find out what they are all about.
The Speedway
If you live anywhere near New Lebanon, you have undoubtedly heard Lebanon Valley Speedway. But where does all that noise come from? How is it made? Does it have to be so loud? Track owner Howard Commander is going to explain all that on a behind the scenes tour of the Speedway at which there has been racing since 1953.
All together there are around twenty different events scheduled for the first weekend.
“We believe this program will be of interest to people of all ages who want to learn new skills, to understand contemporary rural American life and to be in a magnificent outdoor setting which is New Lebanon,” said Abram.
All tours will begin at the Visitor Center, a building donated and located at the Shed Man on Route 22 and furnished with pieces lent by Meissner’s Auction House and Dave’s Antiques.
Tickets cost $25 for an individual one day pass to all events, $40 for an individual weekend pass to all events, $75 for an individual season pass to all events, and $250 for a family season pass to all events which includes four tickets. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Residents of New Lebanon, Canaan and East Chatham get a 50% discount on all tickets purchased at the Shed Man.
More information and the complete schedule of events, as well as local business discounts being offered to ticket holders, can be found online at www.beholdnewlebanon.org.[/private]