Booking Fall 2024 Field Trips Now!
September 9th-12th
September 16th-19th
September 30th-October 3rd
October 7th-10th
Students engage in four different hands-on heritage classes in the nation's most extensive collection of log cabins.
During a field trip to Hart Square, students will spend 30 minutes at each class listed in the activities section below.
Authentic experiences are held outdoors and in the Sigmon Family Education Center.
Our field trip day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Submit a form by clicking the button below to reserve your spots. For questions email mya@hartsquare.com
Students - $15
Chaperones - $20 (Limited to 50 per day)
School Staff - Free
Fall Field Trip Day Activities
Apple Cider Making
Apples were consumed for sustenance; or were made into cider, vinegar, and hard cider. They were also made into preserves and apple butter. This class will focus on the growth cycle of apples and their journey to America. Students will get a scientific understanding of growing things, historic preservation methods and simple machines by observing the cider grinder and press in action. Also, everyone can try some fresh apple cider from Davis and Son Cidery!
Corn Husk Doll Making
This art form originated in Native American culture. Corn husk dolls have to do with the Corn Spirit, which is one of the “three sisters” or “sustainers of life” – corn, beans, and squash. Come listen to the folk story about the Corn Spirit while making your own corn husk doll or angel to take home with you.
Appalachian Music
The music of Appalachia has roots in the convergence of many cultures including Scots-Irish, British, German, West African, and Native American. Traditional instruments traveled across oceans with these cultures to create a unique, American sound. In this demonstration, we will learn about these cultures, instruments, and songwriters.
Carolina Life Cabin Tour
On a behind-the-scenes look at Hart Square Village, we will explore several cabin interiors, learn about the tools and inventions of the nineteenth century, and experience daily life for this area's inhabitants and settlers. Hart Square’s historic log cabin collection is the largest in the nation, and during this station, you will get a sample of what it was like to live in Early America. We will engage in many compare and contrast exercises as we look at life then and now!
Meet the Artists
Beau Sigmon - Appalachian Music
I started playing acoustic guitar at age 5 in my family's three-generation band, the Sigmon Stringers. After traveling around the Southeast and winning a few folk and bluegrass competitions, I began exploring other genres of Southern music, including blues, rock, jazz, and gospel. To expand my knowledge, I studied under Paul Holt (CVCC Adjunct Professor), Donnie Little (folk musician and Yates luthier), and Bobby Steadman (classical performance). I enjoy carrying on an important American oral tradition with the universal language of music. For your students, I perform different types of music and instruments that immigrated here with the various European settlers and pay close attention to the influence of West African cultures.
Judy Sigmon - Apple Cider Making
I am from Bethesda, MD, and attended N.C.S.U., where I received my B.S. in Horticulture and met and married my husband, Bill Sigmon. I moved to Newton and opened a greenhouse/growing business in 1981.
As a Master Gardener volunteer and trainer, I spent time as an adjunct professor of horticulture at C.V.C.C. in the late ’80s and ’90s. We sold most of our gardening business in 2006 while Bill continued his landscape and irrigation contractor business under Carolina Sunshine Landscaping. I learned new skills and shared my passions by teaching about herbs, art, gardening, science, and nature to all age groups. I’ve been married 43+ years have two daughters and three grandchildren. I have also led the “Art For All” programs at the Hickory Museum of Art (an outreach program of art classes).
I have volunteered at Hart Square for the past ten years as an Herb Gardener.
Why Hart Square Village for our field trip?
Hart Square is the nation's largest collection of historic log cabins. When students visit the Village, they are not just walking through a museum. They interact with artists and tradespeople at work and gain a deeper appreciation for the living traditions that are still an integral part of our North Carolina communities. We specialize in hands-on activities, ensuring that every child has a unique piece they have hand-crafted to take home with them. We cap our daily student admission to 200 so your students can have a more intimate and memorable experience.
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