To celebrate the arrival of the apple harvest and the beginning of fall, Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites sponsored its fifth annual Apple Days festival in early September.

The Burnside Plantation, location of a colonial farm during Bethlehem’s earliest years, was the site of activities of all sorts that attracted a large audience. Kids crowded into the petting zoo and played in a small maze, many with their faces painted. Older guests listened to talks and demonstrations of early farm technology or enjoyed fiddlers who played traditional music.

There were also displays by tradespeople and merchants, artists and farmers. Master gardeners were available to consult about everything happening in the garden or yard. One pointed out several Monarch butterfly caterpillars crawling on milkweed plants.

The garden behind the Burnside Mansion was also available to visit.