Winter Preparations - Interpretive Center Displays

Saturday, November 7, 2026 · 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Sweet Run State Park — 11661 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro, VA

Before furnaces, refrigerators, and grocery stores, winter preparation was essential for survival. Families spent the fall harvesting and preserving food, cutting and stacking firewood, repairing buildings, and preparing warm clothing and bedding. People canned, dried, smoked, salted, and stored foods such as apples, root vegetables, grains, and meats. Cellars and springhouses helped keep food cool, while wood fires provided heat for both cooking and warmth. Explore the displays in the Interpretive Center to discover the skills, tools, foods, and hard work that helped families prepare their homes and farms for the cold months ahead.