Learn the proud past of region's sugaring tradition

MILTON - This Saturday families can come learn about New England's sugaring tradition.

Festivities get under way at 10 a.m. at the New Hampshire Farm Museum on White Mountain Highway in Milton.

The highlight of the day will be a sap boiling demonstration where visitors can learn about the lengthy process that's involved in rendering large quantities of liquid into a few sweet ounces of viscous goodness. The event is slated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Maple sugaring has a rich history in the Granite State. Early European colonists learned about maple sap from the Native American tribes that lived here. At the Time of the Maple Moon in late February, the Abenaki people tapped sugar maples using hand-carved sumac spiles, allowing the sap to flow into birch bark containers. Excess moisture was evaporated by heating rocks in the fire and placing them in the sap, which was contained in a hollowed out log.

New this year is the addition of Abenaki storyteller Anne Jennison, of Lee, who will re-create the native origin story recounting how maple syrup first came to be. Her performance will begin at noon.

Another of the event's activities will involve the making of spiles. These are the actual taps themselves. Today, most are made of metal, but originally, they were carved from wood.

In the farmhouse, visitors will be invited to taste some Johnny cakes with local maple syrup and learn how to make donuts.

There will also be a special maple-themed barn hunt for children of all ages.

At the end of the day, once the maple syrup is ready, visitors can enjoy the sweet confection on shaved ice.

Admission to Maple Syrup Day at the N.H. Farm Museum is $7 for adults and $4 for children, with a family maximum of $20. Museum members are admitted free.

For more information, call the museum at 603-652-7840.