Here’s information on a fun, local event from the Oregon State Park website:
The Donald Manson barn has played a central role in 151 harvests. Manson built the current barn in 1862, a year after the devastating 1861 Willamette River flood that cost him his original barn, equipment, animals and harvested crops. He rebuilt his barn in the spot where it still stands today in what is now Champoeg State Heritage Area.

Farmstead Day showcases life in the 1860s via dozens of volunteers in period clothing re-enacting everyday chores. Your family can join in living history demonstrations, including:
- Grinding wheat and corn
- Harvesting the vegetable garden
- Dutch oven cooking
- Butter churning & bread making
- Water pumping and hauling
- Blacksmithing with a traditional leather bellows and period tools
- Period woodworking
- Listening to a fur trapper & hide tanner tell their stories
Just like early farmers after harvest end, celebrate the day with music and dancing in the barn.
The event is free, but day-use parking is $5.
Click here for more information and a map to this upcoming event.