Trimborn Farm Events 2010

Annual Events

5th Annual Folk Art and Craft Show & Sale
Saturday, May 15, 2010
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $2.00 Trimborn Farm Art Show

Join us for our fifth Folk Art Show and Sale, featuring contemporary and traditional folk artists and craftspeople selling their wares. New folk artists are joining this show each year.

Tours of historic Trimborn Farm’s buildings and the adjacent Jeremiah Curtin House will be offered all day. Both properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are Milwaukee County Landmarks.

28th Harvest of Art and Crafts
Saturday and Sunday, September 11 & 12, 2010 Trimborn Farm Art Show
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $4.00 per person

Celebrate this annual showcase of artists and craftspeople from throughout the upper Midwest. 130 exhibitors will sell thousands of unique creations in numerous media. With booths throughout the grounds and in the historic buildings, this renowned event will help you get an early start on your holiday shopping. We’re also featuring musical entertainment, children’s activities, and a spouse’s waiting area televising the Packers if they are playing!

If you are an artist who would like to be considered as an exhibitor, download the 2010 Harvest Application for the Show here. Please complete the Harvest Tax Form and include it with your Application.

7th Annual Civil War Encampment
Saturday and Sunday, October 2 & 3 - 10:00 to 4:00
Cost: $3.00 adults, $2.00 seniors/students

Step into the world of Union and Confederate soldiers, cavalry, settlers, camp followers, and civilians. Re-enactors represent famous Civil War figures, cook meals, sell goods, demonstrate equipment and weapons, and fight mock skirmishes. Find out what life was like for soldiers and civilians during this tumultuous period in our nation’s history.

Trimborn Workshops

Introduction to Folk Painting
Instructor: Mona Kochendorfer
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010
Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: $30 MCHS members, $35 non-members
Ages: 15 and up
Registration: Registration Form, Call 414-529-7744 or Email
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 2
The workshop will begin with a brief history and background of folk painting. A small exhibit will include examples of Norwegian Rosemaling, Bavarian Bauernmalerei, Russian Zhostovo, Dutch Hindeloopen, Dutch Assendelfter, and Early American folk painting. A demonstration will include basic strokes used in all folk painting. Students will practice strokes, then use acrylic paints to create a composition. Registration includes major supplies, though students will be asked to bring some small household items. No prior painting experience is required! Class size is limited to 15 people.

Introduction to Multi-Media Family Painting
Instructor: Della Wells
Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $25 MCHS members, $30 non-members
Ages: family groups welcome
Registration: Registration Form, Call 414-529-7744 or Email
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 7
Della Wells’ work evokes everyday scenes and cultural values. Students will learn about the process for creating a mixed media artwork. Then, using found objects, Ms. Wells will guide students in creating a mixed media piece that represents art, culture, and their own personal family history. All major supplies will be provided, but students are strongly encouraged to bring photographs, old jewelry, old clothing, buttons, stickers, or other objects that represent their families. Individuals are welcome to register separately. Families are also encouraged to sign up and create a work of art together. Families do not need to register individually. Class size limited to 15 individuals/family groups.

Folk Painting
Instructor: Mona Kochendorfer
Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Time: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: $60 MCHS members, $70 non-members
Ages: 15 and up
Registration: Registration Form, Call 414-529-7744 or Email
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 4
The workshop will begin with a discussion and exhibit of folk painting styles, including Norwegian Rosemaling, Bavarian Bauernmalerei, Russian Zhostovo, Dutch Hindeloopen, Dutch Assendelfter, and Early American folk painting. A demonstration will include basic strokes used in all folk painting. Students will practice strokes, then use acrylic paints to create a larger composition. Registration includes major supplies. Students will be given a list of household items to bring. No prior painting experience is required! Class size is limited to 15 people.

Ethnic Concert Series

New series! Visitors to the Trimborn Farm Ethnic Concert Series will enjoy a variety of music representing the various ethnic groups who have settled in the Milwaukee area. The concerts will be held in the evenings on the third Wednesdays of June, July, and August.

Ceol Cairde – “Music of Friends”
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free! Donations appreciated
Ages: All
Enjoy traditional Irish and Celtic music in a completely unique setting at the 1st Trimborn Farm Ethnic Concert! Ceol Cairde members share the energy and spirit of the traditional Irish music they enjoy so much. The irresistible blending of their instruments provides the unique sound that is the “Music of Friends.” Tours of the site will be available prior to the concert at the reduced rate of $3 per person. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Sponsored by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Big John and His Little German Band
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free! Donations appreciated
Ages: All
Village of Greendale originals Big John and His Little German Band will perform a variety of German music selections for everyone’s enjoyment. Tours of the site will be available prior to the concert at the reduced rate of $3 per person. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Blaskapelle Milwaukee
Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free! Donations appreciated
Ages: All
Blaskapelle Milwaukee will complete the inaugural concert series. They play in the European Blasmusik style and are one of the newest and youngest performing groups in Milwaukee. Tours of the site will be available prior to the concert at the reduced rate of $3 per person. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Drop-In Programs

New Series! The Trimborn Farm drop-in programs will occur on Thursdays periodically throughout the summer. Each will feature a unique history theme and activity for children and adults to try or make. Visitors are welcome to drop-in any time between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the programs.

Paper Fireworks
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Get ready for the 4th of July the way children in the 19th century did! Fireworks are an integral part of the celebrations. Children of all ages can make safe, fun fireworks that can be used any time of day. Make paper parachutes, thunderbolts, whirls, and pinwheels to celebrate Independence Day.

Whirligigs and Chromatropes
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Whirligigs and chromatropes were popular 19th century buzz-saw toys. As you pull the strings on these delightful toys, they make a buzzing sound. Chromatropes are similar to whirligigs but more colorful. At this program, visitors will be able to make their own whirligig and chromatrope.

19th Century Games
Date: Thursday, July 29, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
What did children do before video games, computers, and television? They played graces, hoops and sticks, and held sack races! Visitors can test their skills at a variety of 19th century games.

Parlor Games
Date: Thursday, August 12, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Use your imagination to participate in the many indoor games played in the past. Visitors of all ages can try their hands at familiar games like charades and bean bags, and explore popular Victorian games like hide in sight, hunt the slipper, and others!

Nature Prints
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Nineteenth-century Wisconsin residents had a very close relationship with nature. Making nature prints was a creative way to collect and study the world. Visitors will have a chance to create their own nature print pages like those kept in 19th century impression albums.

Cornhusk Doll Making
Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Children once delighted in homemade toys, such as cornhusk dolls. Visitors will have the opportunity to make and keep their own cornhusk doll.