NEPA’s Heritage Comes to Life

Follow the country roads outside of Stroudsburg, and you’ll swear you’ve taken a journey back in time. At Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, it’s not surprising to spot mighty draft horses pulling a wagon outside your car window or hear the clang of a blacksmith hammering out a hot piece of iron.

Quiet Valley is a nonprofit that keeps NEPA’s agricultural traditions alive. Unlike a museum full of glass cases and exhibits, the farm truly immerses visitors in scenes from the past. Costumed re-enactors will show you what daily life was like in the 1800s, from caring for the barnyard animals to demonstrating old-fashioned trades.

 

Explore Over 200 Years’ Worth of History

 

 

Quiet Valley is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

The farm’s story starts with the Depper family, who immigrated from Germany in the 1760s and eventually settled in the Pocono Mountains. You can still see their original homestead, which now serves as the cellar kitchen of the farmhouse.

The Deppers’ descendants added to the farmhouse and barns over the years, but the property mostly remained the same as it did in the old days. Even in the 1950s, there was no plumbing or electricity, and many of the original artifacts still remained on the property. The farm was eventually turned into a museum, and the buildings were restored so they would still stand for years to come.

When you visit, you’ll get a glimpse of several different moments in history. The cabin, cellar kitchen and bedroom all reflect the early days of the 1820s, while the original bank barn is set up to re-create the 1850s. Meanwhile, the new kitchen, parlor and one-room schoolhouse will take you back to the year 1893.

 

Plan a Visit This Fall

 

 

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year on the farm.

Quiet Valley had to adapt their usual events and programs due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of opportunities to visit the farm this fall.

The iconic Harvest Festival is normally held on Columbus Day weekend. To keep crowd sizes down this year, they’ve changed the celebration to Autumn on the Farm, a series of fall-themed events with some of the demonstrations, vendors and other highlights you’d normally find at the main festival:

Apples – King of the Fruits – September 26
Country Market Days – October 3 & 4
Farm Animals and Their Uses – October 10 (pre-registration required)
Natural Fibers and Their Uses – October 11 (pre-registration required)

When the sun goes down, there’s still plenty to explore. Quiet Valley will hold their annual Spooky Days murder mystery tours on October 23 and 24. Meet the suspects and collect the clues to solve this Halloween whodunnit.

For the kids, Quiet Valley hosts hands-on programs that take history lessons beyond the pages of a book. The Homeschool Heritage Program combines STEAM education with cooking, crafting and outdoor skills.  They’re also starting up another session of their Preschool Program in October. Spaces are limited for the children’s programs, so make sure to register in advance.

Quiet Valley is complying with all health and safety mandates, and a limit of 250 people are allowed on the farm at any one time. All guests are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.

 

Journey Back to a Simpler Time

 

 

Learn how you can help preserve NEPA’s past.

There aren’t many places where you watch people hand-spin yarn, weave a basket or cook over an open hearth. Quiet Valley is keeping those skills alive for generations to come, but as a nonprofit, they rely on community support. You can help preserve this historic farm by becoming a member or making a donation. If you have a passion for history, volunteer opportunities are available for nearly every skill and interest.