At Historic Sugartown, The Past Will Come Alive With Bees, Falcons and Dogs

 Historic Sugartown is a place where the past and the present intersect. This 18th- and 19th-century village was once a typical, bustling Chester County crossroads. It gradually lost prominence as the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad passed it by in favor of nearby Malvern. Though resurrected in the mid-1980s as a living history site, it is visited more often by school groups than the general public.

But, once a year, the past comes fully alive at Historic Sugartown Day.

On April 30, the once vibrant village, like the fabled Scottish village of Brigadoon, will welcome visitors to the 19th century.

“It magically comes to life to kick off spring,” said Historic Sugartown's director of education and tourism Cheryl Snyder.

Strolling fiddlers and guitarists will evoke a bygone era with traditional tunes, and the usually peaceful hamlet will buzz with activities for the entire family, including artillary drills, colonial dance and beekeeping.

Warren Graham, a member of the Chester County Beekeepers Association, is a perennial favorite at Historic Sugartown Day. He brings a glass-enclosed observation hive so that visitors can get a close look at honey bees, which he describes as “very gentle creatures, slow to anger,” and unlike picnic-disrupting yellow jackets, "vegetarians."

“Children, in particular, are both curious and, as you can imagine, a bit apprehensive,” Graham said. “But the bees are calm, and I can often get the kids— at first bashful and then more adventurous—to dip their fingers into some water so that the bees can stick their little tongues through the ventilation screens to drink. It's so endearing to see some kids circle back several times during the day to feel the honey bees' tickling touch."

Graham also sells his own honey, produced locally at his home in Ridley Creek State Park, as well as candles, pollen and propolis, a sticky resin bees collect from plants that is rumored to have antibiotic properties.

Wonder what it was like when the only fuel your ride needed was a bale of hay? Check out blacksmith Dale Vandegrift as he shoes horses in the barn and stop by the Carriage Museum, new this year, to dream of trading in your Prius for one of the 19th-century beauties on display.

Children can get a taste of the pre-Wii era by participating in traditional games with toys such as a Whimmy Diddle, Jacob's Ladder or hoop-and-stick, and then commemorate it all by being photographed in 19th-century garb.

Hayrides will shuttle visitors to the pond to watch retrievers—dogs, that is—do what they do best, splashing in the water in a giant game of Fetch; and the Dog Training Club of Chester County will put canines through their paces with an agility course.

One of the highlights of the day is the falconry demonstration. The birds—Harris hawks and owls—soar right over the crowds' heads.

“They're right there with you,” Snyder said. “It's wonderful to see!”

The spirits of the past might even join in the festivities when Rescue Paranormal, a ghost-hunting organization, reveals the results of its metaphysical investigations at the site.

Other activities scheduled for the day include the Great Valley Student Art Exhibition and a 14-year-old roving magician known as the Great Lundini. Traditional artisans, such as basket, soap and lace makers, will also be on hand to demonstrate their crafts and sell their wares.

Historic Sugartown Day is a fundraiser to support the organization's preservation and education activities.

What to know if you go:

Historic Sugartown Day will take place on Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine, at 690 Sugartown Road, Malvern. The cost is $10 per car. A schedule of the day's activities will be posted online prior to the event. For further information, visit www.historicsugartown.org or call 610-640-2667.