Celebrating Independence Day "1890s Style" at Longstreet Farm

The normally quiet Longstreet Farm was abuzz with activity on July 4th as the Independence Day festivities attracted dozens of visitors. The historic 1890s farm featured wagon rides, and craft demonstrations of fire and ice.

Blacksmith Norman Nelson showed the crowd how valuable iron was recycled and reshaped into new tools 120 years ago by forging nails into clothing hooks. He baked a nail in a heap of flaming coals and then withdrew the pliant red hot metal, twisted it with tongs into a hook shape and then pounded it on the anvil. One lucky volunteer, ten year-old Andre Chiang from Morganville, operated a crank that pumped fresh air into the blacksmith's fire. On Wednesday morning at 10:30, Longstreet Farm will hold another hands-on blacksmith demonstration where many children will be encouraged to participate.

On the cooler side, rangers held an ice cream making demonstration in front of the barn. After crushing blocks of ice with their feet and adding rock salt to raise the melting temperature, they mixed milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a metal can and churned it into an ice cream that the crowd lined up to sample. The simple dessert was rich and smooth, and more liquid than modern processed ice creams, closer to a shake in consistency, and a delicious refreshing treat on the hot summer day.

Stay tuned to Holmdel's Patch for more updates on educational and fun activities at Longstreet Farm. On Sunday, July 10th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. there will be another blacksmith demonstration, and the following weekend there will be a threshing demonstration from noon to 2:00 both Saturday and Sunday.

See the sights of today's events in the PHOTO GALLERY above.