Dudley Farm held its third annual “Partake of the Past” event this weekend, where Girl Scouts from local troops demonstrated historical farming and domestic skills for visitors.
Dudley Farm, located at 18730 W Newberry Road, features restored original buildings owned by three generations of Dudley families since the 1880s. The farm is still run today by staff and volunteers.
“We work in the old way, we dress in period costume, we do everything by hand, we use everything as it was and everything is maintained as it should be, as it was,” said Anthony Ryan, agricultural specialist at Dudley Farm.
Girl Scouts from multiple troops came to Dudley Farm to get training and learn about women’s roles on a farm during the pioneer times. The girls dressed in period clothing, some of which they made themselves.
“Through [this event] they gain public speaking, leadership and have a lot of fun,” said Katherine Strickland, a scout troop leader.
Girl Scouts from fourth grade through ninth grade participated in the event. The scouts, with the help of Dudley Farm volunteers, explained to visitors what their role on the farm is while they demonstrate domestic and farming tasks. This included grinding corn, churning butter, doing laundry, gardening, crocheting, cooking and more.
The Girl Scouts have been preparing for this event since January, when they were first given the historical farming information to study. After a run-through practice the weekend before the event, the scouts were prepared to spend the weekend at Dudley Farms during the 1800s, where they camped overnight and made their meals from scratch from farm resources.
“I like that it kind of relives history because we’ve lost so much of it,” said Olivia Foli, a Girl Scout from Troop 801, “I love this farm because it is from an era of time that was really simple.”