Combining Adventures: Maple at Coggeshall Farm, Bristol, Rhode Island

 

As the maple season begins, I decided to begin this year’s Adventures in Rhode Island and discovered a Festival at a living history site—Coggeshall Farm in Bristol. I planned a trip on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to experience this site that I’d not been aware of.

Coggeshall Farm is part of the land acquired by the State of Rhode Island from the Samuel P. Colt estate in 1965. When the land was purchased, the property contained several historic buildings which the Bristol Historical Society aimed to preserve. Their efforts led to this parcel of land being transformed into a museum dedicated to farm life, eventually evolving into a living history farm museum. In 2020, the farm partnered with Old Sturbridge Village, which now manages its daily operations, ensuring the site remains a vibrant educational resource.

Upon entering the property, I was greeted warmly by Ethan, who provided me with a map and shared information about the day's activities. The first building I encountered was the Tenant Farmhouse. Inside, I found a well-furnished kitchen featuring a fireplace with a bread oven—though Sara, a staff member, mentioned this feature was not invented in 1790. The kitchen was equipped with various dishes and utensils for cooking and eating, giving a glimpse into colonial life. Sara was just beginning her day’s demonstration, and I made a mental note to return later to see her in action.

As I approached the hill, I encountered a docent boiling maple sap in a large iron kettle over an open fire, suspended by a pothook shaped like an elongated “s.” The scene attracted a crowd, though it was unclear whether their interest was in the maple syrup or the crackling fire. 

Near the wood shop, a docent was assisting visitors in making spiles from sumac branches. The process involved pre-cutting the branches into about five-inch pieces, removing the pith with pushers, and shaping the tips to fit into trees. Another docent demonstrated how to drill holes into the trees and insert the spiles, and the sap was collected in troughs made from gouged and charred wood. As usual, I took photos of the sap flowing from the spouts, an important part of syrup production.

I'm not sure if the Tyska Animal Barn, built in 2021, offers an accurate interpretation of what the farm’s animal housing might have looked like 230 years ago. The first stall on the left was empty, possibly housing the pigs that played in the yard. The second and third stalls each held a red cow, while the fourth contained a run-in for sheep, part of the Old Sturbridge Village flock. 

The sheep, Gulf Coast Native/Merino crosses, are probably an important part of the Sheep & Wool Festival being held on May 16. The chickens, which roamed freely, resembled Rhode Island Reds, though the rooster is white. It was fun to watch them wander, especially when they went through a tunnel in the hay bales.

On my way back toward the main house, I passed a docent teaching tree identification, focusing on the sap trees here like Norway maple and sycamore. Interestingly, only the Norway maples appeared to be tapped for sap.

Returning to the kitchen, I found that Sara had prepared French toast in the fireplace and she now demonstrated how she ground nutmeg directly from the seed and maple from the lump that had been formed when the hot sap hardened in the special tall bowls. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it created like this but it makes perfect sense. Today’s sugar makers create granular sugar after creating the perfect concentration of sugar and keeping it mixing until it dries out. Different temperatures or treatments lead to maple in other forms. Colonists would not have been able to be so precise.

As I prepared to leave campus, I noticed a small millstone near the stone wall gate. Ethan demonstrated how this simple device functions as a counterbalance, making it easier to pivot the gate open.

Before leaving, I checked out two small buildings on the edge of the salt marsh. The staff member explained that the smaller building was a spring house, protecting the flow of fresh water. The other building, the cheese house, probably stored cheese and dairy products, keeping them cool. You might be a naturalist if you taste the water in the spring house to determine if it was fresh or brackish. I only tasted a very small amount of water and couldn’t decide if it was fresh from the spring or the snow melt.

I also noticed that the parking area here was crushed shells, probably more easily obtainable here than crushed stone.

Visiting Coggeshall Farm was a very sweet experience, offering a glimpse into colonial farm life and traditional practices. My camera and I will definitely return, perhaps not for the Sheep & Wool Festival this year, but certainly to explore more of what this historic site has to offer.

(Cross posted with HodgePodgeMaple.com)

Did you find your way here after a hike where Kate was the volunteer photographer? Perhaps you've enjoyed her images or seen her byline on one of many environmental websites. Kate is a naturalist and largely self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and urgency of the natural world. Having photographed hundreds of environmental events for nonprofit organizations—entirely self-funded—she is now asking for your help to upgrade her equipment. Your support will allow her to continue providing high-quality, impactful images that support conservation efforts. Ways you can help:

• Share this campaign with friends, family, and nature lovers at GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/4cff87b7e

• Follow Kate on social media to see the journey unfold at https://hodgepodgeimages.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-hodgepodge-images-project.html

• Connect Kate with organizations that might benefit from my photography. You can check out the HodgePodgeImage Portfolio website at https://HodgePodgeImages.com

Thanks!

Historical Adventures: Winter on the Piscataqua

Along with my environmental adventures I also love to experience living history. Last weekend, I attended the "Winter on the Piscataqua" event hosted by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH). While I missed the advertised outdoor activities, I enjoyed exploring the rich history of the Colonel Paul Wentworth House and learning about local traditions. 

Founded in 2003, ARCH was originally established with the goal of preserving and maintaining the Colonel Paul Wentworth House as an educational and cultural resource. The house itself has a fascinating history, having been relocated three times—first, up the hill in Rollinsford, second to Dover, Massachusetts, and finally brought back to its last site in Rollinsford. The organization’s efforts have ensured that this piece of local history remains accessible and preserved for future generations. 

My visit began at the rear of the house, stepping into the kitchen. Despite the lively atmosphere, I was captivated by a skilled baker working at the large stone fireplace. On the table lay a loaf of bread, possibly baked earlier, as he prepared the oven for a tart that was already waiting.   

I then moved into the East Room – I’m not sure if this would be considered a dining room or a parlor.  Three women sat at the table, engaging with visitors, knitting, and preparing food—an authentic snapshot of social and domestic life. During my time there, I captured this memorable photo of interaction with a guest. An intriguing moment unfolded as a Native American entered the room and ate an apple by the fire. 

In the entryway, a trader displayed a variety of containers and tools for sale, with bundles at his feet hinting at the goods and trade practices of the period. Nearby, in the west room, two other traders, including another Native American, laid out jewelry, furs, and bones on pelts. They appeared to be taking a break, and a bedroll was visible on the back side of the room, offering insight into the transient nature of traders and their lifestyle. 

Upstairs, I encountered Julia in what was likely the master bedroom. She was finishing a head covering for a baby (doll), discussing the clothing and accessories, such as a coral bead necklace, believed to ward off evil spirits. 

Later, I joined a guided tour that revealed a remarkable piece of preserved wallpaper. This fragment, framed like a poster sale display with hinges, revealed both the front and the rear where I could see stamps related to the historic taxation without representation issue. The stamps indicated that homeowners had to pay not only for the wallpaper but also the tax on the stamps themselves, with larger pieces requiring more stamps. This artifact vividly illustrated the economic and political tensions leading up to the American Revolution. 

Adjacent to the fireplace in this room was a door leading to the side of the chimney. The docent shared a story about how, during the house’s move to Massachusetts in the 1930s, a neighbor took bricks from the chimney for a personal project. When the house was returned in 1998, the neighbor hadn’t used them and asked would the association want the original bricks back? (so cool!) 

An addition to the house included a large kitchen area, complete with a traditional bread oven, and an attic that likely served as servants’ quarters. The attic contained cots, a basin, and a ewer, providing a glimpse into the domestic arrangements of the period and the likely living conditions of household staff. 

Returning to the kitchen, I was delighted to see a group of young men gathered around the fireplace. This was exciting because, 1. They made a great photo subject, and 2. It was great to see that many young men interested in local history. 

After the visit, I followed ARCH’s Facebook page, eager to stay updated on future events and activities. The experience reinforced my appreciation for local history and the value of community efforts to preserve it. The Colonel Paul Wentworth House stands as a testament to the region’s rich past, and initiatives like ARCH ensure that this history remains alive and accessible. 

For those interested in exploring further, the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History maintains a website at https://www.paulwentworthhouse.org/. I look forward to more adventures and learning opportunities with ARCH, discovering the stories that shaped our community and connecting with its history in meaningful ways. 

Did you find your way here after a hike where Kate was the volunteer photographer? Perhaps you've enjoyed her images or seen her byline on one of many environmental websites. Kate is a naturalist and largely self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and urgency of the natural world. Having photographed hundreds of environmental events for nonprofit organizations—entirely self-funded—she is now asking for your help to upgrade her equipment. Your support will allow her to continue providing high-quality, impactful images that support conservation efforts. Ways you can help:

• Share this campaign with friends, family, and nature lovers at GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/4cff87b7e

• Follow Kate on social media to see the journey unfold at https://hodgepodgeimages.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-hodgepodge-images-project.html

• Connect Kate with organizations that might benefit from my photography. You can check out the HodgePodgeImage Portfolio website at https://HodgePodgeImages.com

Thanks!