As winter starts to wane, the sap starts flowing. Each February, Stamford Museum & Nature Center taps its own trees and the little red maple sugar house at the top of the hill on Heckscher Farm starts to bustle with activity. A New England tradition, maple sugaring is the first sign of the annual agricultural awakening. When the temperatures are below freezing at night, but above freezing during the day, the conditions are just right for SM&NC to make its very own maple syrup. Catch the sweet smell from the sugar house as the white steam pours from its roof.
The maple sugar season peaks on March 2 as SM&NC celebrates Maple Sugar Sunday. At this signature family festival, visitors can learn how the Native Americans created sugar from sap using the “hot rock” method, see how the colonialists used large iron cauldrons to boil the sap over an open fire and then stop by the maple sugar house to see the modern evaporation technique in action. Of course, there will be lots of sweet treats and the ever popular pancake breakfast. Maple Sugar Sunday is supported by media sponsor StamfordPlus Magazine.
Sponsor-A-Bucket
If you’d like to help support our maple sugar programs, our new Sponsor-A-Bucket program lets you personalize your support by sponsoring a bucket throughout the season. SM&NC will place a name tag on your bucket and you will receive a pint of our very own pure Connecticut maple syrup. Each sponsorship opportunity is $50. For more information call Megan McLain at 203.322.1646 ext. 6548.
Adult Maple Sugar Workshop
Adults who want to learn all about the maple sugaring process can attend SM&NC’s Adult Maple Sugar Workshop on March 8, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For program information, contact Will Kies at 203.322.1646 ext. 6568 or wkies@stamfordmuseum.org.
Getting there
Stamford Museum & Nature Center is located at 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT (¾ mile north of Merritt Parkway Exit 35), and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 203.322.1646 or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.