One Saturday morning, my son awoke, threw on his superhero cape, and claimed his superpower was flying to yesterday. Umm… okay… ever the teacher that I am, I figured this was an opportune time for a lesson on past and present.
We chose a nearby destination that I had been to as a child, Claude Moore Colonial Farm, located just off of Georgetown Pike and Dolley Madison Boulevard in McLean Virginia. This living history farm demonstrates Virginia colonial life in the pre-Revolutionary War era (1771) and is located about ten minutes from Washington DC.
Yes, it’s inside the Beltway!
You thought I was kidding about the superhero part, right?
My son, donning his cape and in charge of the map, first directed us to the turkey, then on to the pigs, and off to look for the cow. We followed him, “flying” over the dirt path, through fields and past log houses, enjoying the independence we could afford him in this quiet and uncrowded farm.
We stopped to watch some barefoot colonial gals washing the kitchen supplies. And we giggled at the chickens walking all over them too.
We wondered what it would be like to sleep in the tiny loft bed overhead the kitchen. And we marveled at many old and heavy-looking tools hanging on the walls.
A perfect outdoor activity for my preschooler
Claude Moore Colonial Farm allows visitors to explore at will and at their own pace.
It was just the right amount of activity for a young preschooler, and then we followed it up with a picnic lunch at the tables just outside the farm. My superhero son wrapped up the morning’s “past and present” lesson well: “The past is a lot of dirty. I like it now more. But… I’d like some chickens at my house.”
You can visit Claude Moore Colonial Farm on any ordinary day, like we did, and enjoy the peace and open space. But you can also visit on an event day. This living history farm offers many educational opportunities and festivals like this weekend, from wassailing to farm chores.
Visit their website for a schedule and details, and make sure to wear good closed-toe shoes for walking over the dirt and gravel!
