The Artifacts

Many people today associate spring with planting, spring cleaning and new life. 
However, did you know that the Sargents and Lincolns did many of the same activities in 1845? 
Journey back to spring on the Sargent and Lincoln farms where the season determined their daily lives and
the tools they used.

The Field     The Home     The Barnyard

The Field

Spring for the Lincolns and Sargents meant much of the same weather as today.
Irregular temperature and rain or even snow left the families guessing. 
Because weathermen did not exist in 1845 and spring weather was often
unpredictable, farmers created their own system using nature and folklore for 
predicting sun, wind, rain and the season.

Ox Yoke

Spring weather challenged the farmer. Rain, shine, or thawing snow, all set the calendar for the planting season. Overly dry or wet fields were a danger to work. Plows could break in hard soil or stick in the mud. Timing was important for a successful crop.