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May 30,
2000
Oak Glen, California
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Dear
Friends and Family,
The last tent stake has been pulled and a grand troop of
historical re-enactors have treked back to the modern world.
I miss them. Farm life is peaceful but very
solitary at times, and it was nice to see the glow of
campfires throughout the orchard. Here
are some images from this last rendezvous and timeline.
Until
we meet again, I remain,
Your
Humble Servant,
James
Riley
Don't
Forget...
This
year, over 6,000 school children will take part in our
Living
History Field Trips. Click here
to make it 6,001! There are
almost no dates left in May, but there are a few in April,
so call us, now, to make your reservation (909-797-7534).
The price is $12.00 per participant, with one free adult for
every 15 students. This
includes lunch and four hours of participatory living
history, covering either the American Revolution, Civil War,
or Early California.
After
an early March visit this year, a fifth grade teacher
from San Diego wrote us to say, "Thank you for the
most wonderful field trip I have ever hosted for children.
Your knowledge of history, the authenticity of your
facilities, the beauty of the surroundings, and the love of
history that you shared with the students are very much
appreciated."
Thanks!
Mark
your calendars! We
look forward to visiting with you soon.
Your
Humble Servant,
James
Riley
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| A
fellow named "Chester" frequented the tavern
and the encampment this weekend. He appeared to
only have half of his wits about him, which meant that he
and I were on equal intellectual footing. |
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| Here's
my eldest son, Nicholas, with some of the camps behind him. |
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P.S.
For the sake of those "web portals" constantly browsing the
internet to update their search engines, we include the following
boiler-plate. (Feel free to read this, if you're new to our site.)
Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm in the Oak
Glen area of Southern California. In addition to farming, we love
history and we have provided a venue for re-enactment units comprising
many different eras. The farm regularly hosts banquets, birthday parties,
weddings, and office parties. Every year, literally thousands of students
participate in one of our school tours, where they experience everything
from weaving, candle-dipping, and cider pressing to the drill and muster
of a Revolutionary War or Civil War battle. Our farm has appeared on the
History Channel and in the recently released feature film, Amistad,
as well as many other film and television productions. (We even try to get
the producers to include us as on screen talent, but that's another
story.) On selected weekends throughout the year, we offer
"farm-stay" weekends, where families can experience--clothing,
wood stoves, muskets, and all--the life of an 18th or 19th century
American farmer. We grow sweet corn, apples, raspberries, pears, and
sunflowers, just to mention a few of our crops. Our nephew, Devon, keeps
some beautiful Belgian draft horses for country hay-rides. We love
America--its traditions, its people, its history, and its cherished
heritage of liberty in Christ. Have we said enough? Well, one more thing:
In the fall, thousands of families make an annual pilgrimage to the farms
of Oak Glen to experience the closest thing to a New England fall
California has to offer. Why don't you stop by and say hello?
P.S.
Stay
Clear of this "Cider House"
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