Howell Living History Farm’s maple sugaring operations are in full swing when freezing nights and thawing days make for heavy sap flows. Related work and rendering of maple syrup at the farm sometimes goes round the clock this time of the season.
On Saturday, March 3, from 10am to 4pm, visitors are invited to help farmers in the sugar bush, sugarhouse, and farmhouse kitchen, where many hands are needed to ensure a successful harvest, syrup boil, and tasting at the farm. Parking and admission are free.
Sap collecting, firewood cutting, syrup making, and more are scheduled throughout the day. Sap gathering takes place from noon to 2pm. Tree-tapping demonstrations are held at 11am, 1:30pm, and 3pm. The sugarhouse is open from 11am to 3:30pm, and features a working evaporator and tours of a sap line collection system. Pancake eating begins at noon in the restored Henry Phillips farmhouse.
Howell Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and maintained by the Mercer County Park Commission. It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, in Hopewell Township. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530. Hours are 10am to 4pm — Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the farm office at (609) 737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org or www.mercercountyparks.org.
