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Flexible Schedule
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Empire, MI 49630
Typically is hosted in June each year, but check with the park historical architect who schedules additional projects throughout the calendar year with this type of project focus. The park will again be hosting our successful barn restoration workshop in June 2015. This year marks the 19th year of the partnership between the Michigan Barn Preservation Network and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in developing this series of "hands-on" workshops. The park and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network are providing the skilled labor to put on this workshop. The course is set up so participants receive "hands on" training of all techniques. The workshop begins on site at 9:00 a.m. each day. There is no cost to participants. Tools and materials will be provided. Participants should wear boots, gloves, and bring a sack lunch for each day that they attend. Participants can sign up for any number of days. Workers are not required to be skilled in the building trades, though experience will be helpful and appreciated. The purpose of the workshop is to teach the techniques and train owners and those interested how to do restoration work on timber and frame structures, including concrete and stonework. Past workshop attendees have ranged in age from 7 to 75 with each contributing their own unique skills to the project. Campsites will be provided for those volunteers who wish to camp for those days they are signed up for the workshop. Please indicate on the form, by email, or when you call to sign up. Interested parties should contact the park historical architect, Kimberly Mann (231)326-4771, to sign up for the workshop. To sign up by email: kimberly_mann@nps.gov
Date Posted: 2024-03-15
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Flexible Schedule
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Empire, MI 49630
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore conducts a two day turn of the century country fair during the second Friday and Saturday of August each year. The park is actively looking for demonstrators who make or conduct acitivities that would have been found in the Great Lakes Region from 1880 to 1945. Some funds are available to help with transportation is traveling great distances, hauling live animals, or large pieces of equipment. Demonstrators should make prior contact with the park representative before assuming you meet this criteria as the Port Oneida Fair Committee reviews each applicant for appropriateness for the fair and to issue an invitation to demonstrate and receive payment. Some demonstrators are not paid, but can sell all items that they make as part of their demonstration. No table fee is charged for demonstrators. The Port Oneida Fair is held in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District 4 miles north of Glen Arbor, Michigan along M-22. The fair attracts 5000 visitors over the two day event and includes music and dancing, food, humanities scholars, farmers' market, blacksmithing, timber framing, rope making, butter churning, candle making, quilt making, Bee Keeping, Civil War and WWII Encampments, horse and wagon rides, oxen mowing fields, hand-made hay baling and hay stacking, local art and Native American markets, traditional foods, and seed opportunities. There is no charge for the event, though a park pass is required in all areas of the national lakeshore. Volunteers are also required to help direct guests, park cars, attend to trash, help demonstrators set up and tear down, and hand out brochures and stickers.
Date Posted: 2024-03-15
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Flexible Schedule
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Empire, MI 49630
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is always seeking individuals or groups to volunteer with various events and projects that are showcased within the park boundary. Typical volunteer opportunities include assisting with the restoration of cultural landscapes and historic structures. The work includes repairing small structures such as sheds, chicken coops, privies, and assistance with keeping the agricultural districts clear and open, and maintaining the historic gardens and orchards located at a few of the historic farmsteads. The park also seeks volunteers to help at the annual Port Oneida Fair held every year during the second Friday and Saturday of August. This events showcases 120 traditional skills demonstrators which are seen by 4000 to 5000 visitors. Volunteers at this event help to set up, clean up, hand out information, give directions, direct parking, and help demonstrators and visitors find their way around the Port Oneida Rural Historic District and the 6 farmsteads and historic sites that are part of this celebration. Many volunteer opportunities are available at the park in cultural resources and those interested should contact the park to inquire on how their unique skills can be put to use throughout the calendar year and not just the busy summer months.
Date Posted: 2024-03-15
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Flexible Schedule
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Empire, MI 49630
This activity occurs the first Friday afternoon in May, but check with the park historical architect as additional pruning activities occur throughout the year. In 2014, the event will be expanded to included grafting. The park will again be hosting a pruning workshop on the first Friday afternoon in May in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. (Pruning can occur any time of the year to remove dead materials from fruit trees. If interested contact the park for more information at other times during the year. ) The workshop will be held at one of the Farmsteads in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District 4 miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22, and follow the signs to the workshop site. The workshop will focus on maintenance of neglected apple and pear trees and how to bring them back into production, and maintain their health. The course will include 1) how to identify and properly remove dead materials from abandoned trees 2) proper pruning of the canopy for optimum maintenance and fruit production, 3) maintaining tree health, 4) how to maintain ground cover under the tree, 5) watering and care of the tree, and 6) equipment safety. The park is pairing with the Leelanau Conservation District, MSU Northwest Michigan Horticultural Station, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the County Extension Master Gardener Program to offer this hands-on training workshop. Experts from the County and State offices will provide the technical information and the park will serve as the host for this annual event. This marks the fifth year that these organizations have come together to participate in this. Additional volunteers who would like to work in the apple nursery and orchard throughout the year are also welcome to contact through this offering. Training, tools and directions are provided. If you are interested in helping the park maintain an antique apple nursery and promoting the replanting of vintage apple varieties back into the historic orchards in Port Oneida this is the opportunity for you.
Date Posted: 2024-03-15
