Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and historic Sites Homestead, in cooperation with the Eastern National Forests Interpretive Association, are offering a variety of interesting and engaging programs in September. All programs are free and open to everyone. Call the Discovery Center at (304) 567-2827 to confirm program offerings because changes or cancellations could occur at any time.
Sept. 1
- 10 – 10:30 a.m., Storytime with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Enjoy a morning outdoors with stories and games perfect for preschool and early elementary age children.
Sept. 2
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
- 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 for the young and young at heart.
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Evening Program: Birth by Fire, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater. Spark one’s curiosity for the important role of fire in nature. A person does not need to be a guest of the Seneca Shadows Campground to attend. (In the event of rain, this program will be held at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center.)
Sept. 3
- 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Visiting Artisans: Emily Prentice and Nevada Tribble, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Travel into the underworld with Prentice’s Mycelium Magazine or get a custom flower drawing stitched on Tribble’s bicycle-powered sewing machine.
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
- 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pioneer Visit: Gary Robinson, Sites Homestead. Watch as Robinson turns broom corn into functional pieces of art.
- 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 for the young and young at heart.
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Discover Foraging, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Learn rules and best practices for finding food and drink in the forest.
- 7 – 8:30 p.m., Concert and Speaker Series: Snakes with Jim Fregonara, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater. See a selection of the forest’s serpents up close and personal while learning about their habitats and adaptations. A person does not need to be a guest of the Seneca Shadows campground to attend. (In the event of rain, this program will be held at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center.)
Sept. 4
- 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Visiting Artisans: Emily Prentice and Nevada Tribble, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Travel into the underworld with Prentice’s Mycelium Magazine or get a custom flower drawing stitched on Tribble’s bicycle-powered sewing machine.
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pioneer Visit: Cider Pressing, Sites Homestead. Turn sweat into sweet rewards by helping harvest apples from the Heritage Garden’s orchard and pressing them into cider that will be served at next year’s pioneer visits.
- 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 for the young and young at heart.
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Discover the Atlatl, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Test a peron’s aim with this ancient weapon that predated the bow and arrow.
- 7 – 8:30 p.m., Concert and Speaker Series: the Jesse Milnes Band, Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater. Kick back to the sounds of classic country mixed with old-time Appalachian music and just a little rock and roll with this local five-piece honky-tonk band. A person does not need to be a guest of the Seneca Shadows campground to attend. (In the event of rain, this program will be held at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center.)
Sept. 5
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee with a Ranger, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Plan one’s day and discover the forest while enjoying free coffee at the Mon Forest Towns hospitality table.
- 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 for the young and young at heart.
Sept. 10
- 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Concert and Speaker Series: Wonder & Grow Full Moon Hike, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Let your curiosity be your guide as you explore the forest on this interactive moonlit mindfulness hike.
Sept. 17
1 – 4:00 p.m., Woodsy Owl’s Birthday Party, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Celebrate Woodsy Owl’s birthday and conservation message with sweet treats, fun giveaways, and live music, plus a special appearance from the bird himself.
Sept. 24
7 – 8:30 p.m., Concert and Speaker Series: Living History with Linda Durrett, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Travel back to the mid-1800s for a visit along the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, one of many stops along the Underground Railroad.
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Through Labor Day, Sites Homestead is open10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. After Labor Day, Sites Homestead is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Monday, when staffing allows.
For more information about programs or to inquire about becoming a visiting artisan, contact Alison Bailey at (304) 567-2827 or alison.bailey@usda.gov.
