10th Founder’s Day Open House
Come spend a beautiful fall day at Historic Eastfield Village, discover the world of historic trades and crafts while enjoying food and 19th century entertainment with family and friends
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 11 am to 4pm
Location: 104 Mud Pond Rd, East Nassau, NY 12062
Admission: $20 (pre-purchase), $25 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free.
Event Details
Step back in time and enjoy a day in pre-industrial America. Historic Eastfield Village, in East Nassau, NY, is celebrating its 9th annual Founder’s Day Open House. This is the one day of the year that the general public is invited to come and visit the privately-owned, recreated nineteenth century village, usually only open to Historic American Trades and Crafts Workshop attendees.
This is a family-friendly event with entertainment and attractions for all ages. Please note the site is rustic with uneven paths and historic buildings that are not ADA compliant. Please contact us for more information.
Attractions and Entertainment
Self-guided Exploration: Guests can experience more than 20 historic structures and their furnishings, dating from 1789 – 1840. One of the joys of Eastfield Village is the sense of discovery!
Guided Tours by a timber-framer: Take a timber-framing tour of the Village with a master timber framer.
Puppet Shows: The “Punchbowl Sisters” will entertain the whole family with a historic puppet and variety show—a long time favorite!
Period Dancing: Take a spin around the Briggs Tavern ballroom with a 19th century dance instructor.
19th Century Magician: Continuing with the theme of historic entertainment, witness the magic of a period magician who would have wowed folks in pre-industrial America.
Directions
Contact
For questions or inquires about this event contact us at eastfieldvillage@gmail.com or through our contact form.
Walking Tours
Trades Demonstrations
19th Century Shows
Hearty Lunch
Celebrating the legacy of the Village’s Founder Don Carpentier and honoring the mission of The Historic Eastfield Foundation, Founder’s Day highlights the incredible work of traditional tradespeople. Most of the tradespeople who demonstrate historic trades and crafts at Founder’s Day continue to work their trades in the present day, keeping these skills alive and well throughout the country.
Learn about:
Historic blacksmithing, cabinetmaking, printmaking, window restoration, furniture-making, spinning and weaving, early string instruments, flintlock gunsmithing and more! Watch demonstrations, interact with tradespeople, and shop their wares.
Trades Demonstrations
Explore the range of wares sold by demonstrators, shop antiques, and pick up trinkets and crafts produced by small businesses and artisans.
Shopping
Enjoy a hearty lunch prepared in the historic hearth kitchen in Briggs Tavern or stop by for tea and sweets.
Food and Drinks
Hearty Bread & butter, Baked Ham, Cheddar Cheese, Mustard, Hard-boiled Egg, Cranberry-walnut Conserve on lettuce, and an Apple.
Hearty Bread & butter, Assorted Cheeses (Cheddar, Gouda and Blue Stilton), Hard-boiled Egg, Cranberry-walnut Conserve on lettuce, and an Apple.
A plate filled with a Cranberry Scone, a Lemon Tart, and 2 Almond Macaroons.
Historic Eastfield, founded by preservationist Don Carpentier, hosts renowned workshops on historic American trades and crafts. Established as a nonprofit in 1993, it preserves Carpentier’s vision by providing hands-on training in pre-industrial American trades, supporting preservation efforts, and maintaining its historic facilities.