Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and the historic Sites Homestead, in cooperation with the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association, are kicking off summer with a full schedule of programs for Memorial Day Weekend. Join staff for a variety of interesting and engaging programs beginning Friday through Monday. All programs are free, and everyone is welcome. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.
Daily Programs Friday through Monday
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan the day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
- 1 – 4 p.m., Home and Garden Tours, Sites Homestead. Travel back to the 1800s as one tours the historic home and heritage gardens, guided by costumed interpreters including a special visit from the mistress of the homestead, Dorothy Sites, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Junior Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Make connections to the area’s natural and cultural history with activities targeted at the young and young at heart.
- 2 – 4:30 p.m., Roving Rangers, Seneca Rocks Trail. Pause along the trail or at the top of the rocks for short talks and demonstrations.
Additional Programs
Friday:
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Discover River Snorkeling, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Look beneath the water’s surface as one tries a new hobby and experiences the river’s unique ecology. Space is limited for this program; please register in advance either in person at the information desk or by calling 304-567-2827.
- 7:30-8:30 p.m., Geology’s Sweet, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater (in the event of rain: Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Auditorium). Learn how rocks are like cookies and mountains are like cake in this sweet tooth tempting evening program where baking and geology meet.
Saturday:
- 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pioneer Visit: Broom Making, Sites Homestead. Watch as broom maker Gary Robinson turns broom corn and cord into practical works of art. Robinson will have a selection of his works for sale.
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Discover Plein Air Painting, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Create unique works of art through a variety of guided drawing and painting exercises for beginners and professionals alike.
Sunday:
2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Discover the Atlatl, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Test one’s aim with this ancient weapon which predated the bow and arrow.
7 – 8:30 p.m., Concert and Speaker Series: Jesse Milnes and Emily Miller, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater (in the event of rain: Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Auditorium). Enjoy country and old-time music accompanied with guitar and fiddle from this central West Virginia duo.
The Seneca Rocks Discovery Center is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The Sites Homestead is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
For more information contact Alison Bailey at alison.bailey@usda.gov or 304-567-2827.
