Visitors to Waterford's first Farm & Village Days during Loudoun's Spring Farm Tour May 18 and 19 now can view the schedule of events for each day on the Foundation website.  

Barbeque lunch will be available for purchase each day near the Chair Factory on Second Street (with special children's plates available).

Some of the sights, sounds, and smells from periods in Waterford's history that will echo through the village this weekend are  

• "slabbing" (slicing tree trunks) with a (modern) portable sawmill near Schooley Mill Barn, which once was a sawmill;
• blacksmithing at the Forge,  
• beekeeping near the Old Mill,
• a small flock of sheep in Bond Street Meadow, whose wool once kept Waterford's fulling mill busy;
• soldiers on drill (Hessian reenactors who describe the history of these soldiers hired by the British to fight in the Revolutionary War);
• the hustle and bustle of the commercial establishments that once sold goods and services to farmers and villagers as the village grew after its 1733 founding; 
• the one-room schoolhouse built in 1867 to educate African American children will be open, with its schoolmistress "Miss Nickens" present; and  
• walking tours.  

Walking tours that focus on Waterford's agricultural history will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Conservation of the land and its resources was well understood by the prosperous Quakers who founded the village; today visitors can learn of present-day stewardship in and around the village on two bluebird walks on Saturday, and on Sunday a guided bird-watching hike and water monitoring on the South Fork of Catoctin Creek.

On each day the Old Mill will be open, with a miniature working model, antique mill tools and equipment, and a display of how grain mills function. These materials are being used in the renovation of this historic building by the Waterford Foundation. And across the street, the John Wesley Community Church, where Waterford's African American Community once worshipped, will be open.   

Locally made furniture will be on exhibit at the Chair Factory on Second Street (much of it originally made in that building), and the Corner Store will also be open for business, with artifacts from foundation archives that bring to life the area's agricultural history, with a yoke for bullocks, antique wooden farm tools among them.  

How do we discover long-forgotten details of our history? Loudoun Archeological Foundation will demonstrate techniques used to ensure protection of things found in the ground, what they tell us about the past use of the land, and what they reveal about our history.  Hands-on opportunities are part of this presentation.

This event is free and open to the public. See the Farm & Village Days page of the Foundation's website for a complete schedule of events.

It wasn't all work: Three women relax against a haystack in a Waterford field in this archival photo.

The 70th Annual Meeting of the Waterford Foundation on April 16 captured all the elements that reflect its history and the vitality of this grassroots preservation organization: a 200-year-old document written by the village's founder newly discovered and donated, recognition of long time residents who have supported the Foundation from its beginning, and honors for devoted volunteers and donors who sustain its work and further its mission.

"When we consider our 70 years, there's so much to be proud of. We've saved properties and viewsheds. We've promoted the granting of easements. We created the National Historic Landmark District," said Foundation President Walter Music.

Music noted the sustained support for the Foundation over its long history by many-but several in particular. "I'm very happy to report that we have someone with us who has been with the Foundation since the beginning, when the Foundation was founded in 1943.We are joined by our longtime neighbor, Janet Jewell, who has been part of Waterford and the Waterford Foundation's work for her entire life."

He also acknowledged the dedicated support of two important Foundation benefactors who died recently: Cornelia F. Keller and Richard Storch. "They helped our community is so many ways, and they will always be part of Waterford's history." Keller's family was presented with the Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of her contributions; Storch received that award in 2010.

Bocek and Music present \awards to David and Peggy Bednarik.

David and Peggy Bednarik were named Volunteers of the Year. "The generosity of these two with their time and expertise seems to know no bounds. There is a great deal that would not get done if not for both of these extraordinary volunteers," said Foundation Vice President Margaret Bocek.

William Hunley stands to applause as he is recognized for 54 years of Fair volunteer service.

Two long-time Waterford Fair volunteers also received recognition. Retired naval architect William Hunley has for 54 years demonstrated gunsmithing at the Fair, as well as placing his log home on the homes tour multiple times. Janet McLean has coordinated the Red Barn Art Exhibit at the Fair for 27 years.

Boy Scout Brandon Morris, from Hamilton Troop 969 was recognized for his Eagle Scout project, which encompassed clearing the path along the Interpretive Trail on the Phillips Farm in Waterford, building three benches along the trail and installing two stepping stones crossing the stream. Morris received his Eagle Scout rank a week later at a Boy Scouts of America award ceremony.

Tuscarora Mill Restaurant Group received the Partnership of the Year Award for its generous support, especially for its sponsorship of entertainment at the Waterford Fair.

Special recognition was made to Keith "Skeeter" Brown, who has provided the Foundation with grounds maintenance, repair, hay-making, and Fair preparation tasks large and small for 38 years. Retiring Board members Taylor Chamberlin, Bonnie Getty, Hans Hommels, W. Brown Morton, Patti Psaris and Mimi Westervelt also were recognized for their service.