Barn Demonstration Day

Tinkering, hammering, spinning, churning, sparks flying—brace yourself for Barn Demonstration Day at the West Baton Rouge Museum. Guests will tour the curretn Rural Engineuity exhibit inside the main building for moseying down to the barn to witness rural ingenuity in action. See an antique tractor, a Ford Model A, and a collection of old tools on display. Artist-in-Residence Gary Hart will conduct blacksmithing demonstrations; Mark Monestere and the Baton Rouge Wood Workers Club will use hand tools; and West Baton Rouge Museum staff member Linda Collins will be inviting visitors to help her spin and weave. Folk artists William and Theresa Blount will churn up some tasty trivia about the patent process while making ice cream with hand-cranked and later motorized ice cream freezers. There will also be butter churning and several other hands-on activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Farmers are the original engineers, posits Rural Engineuity. The exhibit highlights the contributions of local inventors such as Leonard Julien’s Cane Planter, Norbert Rillieux’ Multiple Effect Evaporator, and Allen Ramsey Wurtele’s Cane Harvester—designs which revolutionized farming practices and industry.  

2 pm–4 pm. Free. westbatonrougemuseum.com.