Colonial Chesterfield

Old Joe Tour -  California History Tour
Group Event -- The Wild West Picnic!
Barn Events!
Sleepy Hollow -  Dickens Ball
The General Store

Civil War Field Trips
 
Hours: By Appointment

Don't Miss the Civil War Spring Cotillion  -- May 31st, 2003!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

If you're like me, you get a little restless driving your family to theme parks that are heavy on high g-force rides and low on education.   In that spirit, we will open Colonial Chesterfield this summer to the public for three exciting programs that promise to keep mind, soul, and body engaged this vacation.   

#1 
"Summer Publick Days"

No, That's not a typo.  In Colonial America “publick days” usually referred to that period of time when the county court was open for sessions.    Shire towns were filled with merchants, lawyers, and farmers who arrived to record deeds and settle disputes.   The public houses were filled to the brim, the minute companies would drill, and farmers and craftsmen would sell their wares on the village green or parade ground.    

Contemporary guests of Colonial Chesterfield will be able to take part in a series of “village posts” including drilling with the minutemen, baking bread in the summer kitchen, churning butter, making cheese, writing with a quill pen, watching the blacksmith, helping with the farm chores, and weaving woolens.  Each day’s activities will conclude with a duel or small mock battle between redcoats and minutemen. From six to twelve village posts will be offered from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.   The tavern bakery will be open for colonial meals, apple pies, pastries, and cider.  Click Here to Read more!

Until we see you soon, I remain,

Your humble servant,

James Riley

The History Channel 
Re-visits the Farm

Peter Woodward, British Actor, fight-master, and one of the stars of the feature film, "The Patriot", spent the weekend on the farm with a crew from Greystone Productions, filming an episode of his popular show "Conquest."   In this episode, Peter taught four civilians how to use matchlocks, firelocks, and the Kentucky Rifle.   Woodward--who played General O'Hara in the Patriot--and his production team bring a great deal of research to each episode, so you won't want to miss this.   Check The History Channel for listings.

#2
An Evening with 
"Patrick Henry"

Top off your summer Saturday's "Publick Days" on the farm, with a sumptuous tavern dinner on our farm house grounds.   Thrill to Patrick Henry's "Liberty or Death" speech.  Feast on fresh fruit, hot bread, and cider.  Throw a tomahawk, and bowl over the nine pins.    History is great fun!   Sign up now.   Seats are going fast.

Saturday Nights Beginning July 12
Adults $25, Children 3-12, $17.76

#3

Summer Colonial Farm Stays

Enjoy #1 and #2, then wake up the next morning in cool Oak Glen to an all you can eat farm house breakfast!
 

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. 

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" *