Clouds Hill Farm Holds “A Day In The Country” Monday

Everything old is new again at on Monday, where they are holding “A Day In the Country” from noon to 5 p.m.

Among the activities will be carriage rides (between noon and 2), a bee-keeping demonstration, shelling and grinding corn (which will then be used to make corn muffins), a cider press for fresh apple cider (they’ll use what’s left over from the press to make apple butter), and knife-sharpening on a grindstone.

In addition, children 8 and under can be “farmer for a day,” completing such chores as feeding (faux) animals, digging for potatoes and collecting eggs that will just happen to be filled with candy.

Anne Holst, who grew at Clouds Hill and lives there still, said she wanted “to teach children where food comes from.”

Even without the special events, Clouds Hill is a fascinating place to visit. Just up Post Road in Cowesett, the house is grand in the Newport “cottage” or Watch Hill manse way and is filled to the brim with Victoriana. The grounds, too, bespeak an earlier era, with a gazebo and plenty of room to walk (or run) around.

The Holsts also have collected an impressive array of carriages, including a “Gypsy” wagon and one of the 50 Conestoga wagon replicas made to honor the U.S. Bicentennial.

Get to know one of the treasures of the 02818 area. There’s a $5 entrance fee; children 12 and under are free.