Is the Farmer Really in the Field?

scarecrows made at last year's Scarecrow Building Day

​Scarecrows pop up as charming decorations in backyard gardens these days. Historically, they had a very significant role to play. Scarecrows were traditionally used to protect crops from wildlife. Families counted on producing enough food for their family and livestock. Destruction of crops could seriously threaten a family’s survival. If left unchallenged, wildlife could swoop in and feast on the bounty leaving nothing for farmers to feed their family or domesticated animals. When farmers planted, tended and harvested their crops for their family’s food supply, scarecrows served as an insurance policy.  The human like features of the scarecrow were intended to fool wildlife into thinking the farmer was still in the field watching over the crop. On Saturday, August 12th, between noon and 4pm, the public is invited to join in the fun of collaborating to create some large scarecrows for the back fence to watch over the Museum’s landscape. Materials will be provided with lots of fun accessories to dress the scarecrows. Come out to the Museum’s grounds to enjoy a glass of lemonade with crafts, games and stories and help us scare some crows! Check out the events page on middlevillemuseum.org or the Museum’s facebook page for more information about this free outdoor event for all ages at the Museum.  
In the case of rain, activities will take place in the large tent as much as possible. 

scarecrow storytime

making mini scarecrows at the craft table