Miller-Cory House Museum Events

Fall Festival: Doorway to America’s Past–Skills of an Eighteenth Century Farm Family, Sept. 27th, 1–4 pm: Step back in time to experience life in 18th Century Westfield. As part of our 250th celebrations, the Fall Festival is even bigger and better this year! Meet our costumed docents as they demonstrate and discuss traditional colonial crafts then create something yourself to take home. Discover how colonial families prepared for the long winter through our demonstrations of open-hearth cooking and food preservation. Our garden tours will explore the kitchen and grain gardens, showcasing colonial crops while highlighting the herbs and spices used in 18th-century cooking.  Grab some soap and help wash the laundry–colonial style. Our fully furnished 1740’s house will be open for tours and be sure to round out your day with some apple and cider tastings. Don’t miss the festival highlight: live blacksmith demonstrations by the skilled smiths from the Millstone Forge! There will be crafts and activities for all ages and the event is family friendly. 

The blacksmiths and craft supplies are funded by a Union County Special Projects Grant. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and younger. 

Four Centuries in a Weekend: Open Hearth Cooking at the Miller-Cory House, Oct. 17-18th 12–5 pm:

Throughout the weekend, the Miller-Cory House Museum will be showcasing eighteenth-century colonial cuisine with authentic colonial-era open hearth cooking using period recipes and techniques. The grounds will be open for viewing and docents will be offering tours of the fully furnished c1740 farmhouse. Various fiber crafts will also be demonstrated. Admission to Four Centuries in a Weekend is a free will donation.

Open House with Open Hearth Cooking, Nov. 8th, 2–4 pm

The grounds will be open for viewing, docents will be offering tours of the fully furnished c1740 farmhouse and our cooks will be busy over the open hearth. Our Maker Space will be available with self-guided activities for kids and families. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $4 ages 3-12 and free age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary. 

A Colonial Thanksgiving at the Miller-Cory House plus Lenape Lore, Nov 22nd, 2–4 pm

A special day of thanks has been part of the American tradition since 1621. The Miller-Cory House Museum cooks will demonstrate the preparation of an early American Thanksgiving feast in the Frazee Building over the museum’s open-hearth fire, using colonial recipes and seasonal ingredients. (Please note that this is a demonstration only; dinner is not being served.) Then in the main house, join us for a special program highlighting the earliest inhabitants of New Jersey, the Lenape Indians. Various aspects of everyday life such as beliefs, families, home, food, clothing, medicine, storytelling and games will be presented. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $4 ages 3-12, and free age 2 and younger. 

Gingerbread Sunday, Dec 6th, 1:30–4 pm:

Spicy sweet gingerbread is a special part of the holiday season. Children will make a decorative, non-edible gingerbread house and one additional craft to take home and will hear “gingery” stories. Members of the Cooking Committee will also demonstrate early American recipes using ginger over the open hearth. Suggested age: 3 (with assistance for crafts) through elementary school. $5 per child; accompanying adults free. Reservations are required. Call the museum at 908-232-1776 or email millercorymuseum@gmail.com to place yours. Please include your phone number in the email.

Please ask about our weekday tours for groups and school programs. Phone: 908-232-1776 Email: millercorymuseum@gmail.com

Open select Sundays fall through spring, we are located in at 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090