Bement-Billings Farmstead — Attraction in Town of Newark Valley

This is the only Living History Museum in this region. (Others in NYS include the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown and the Genesee Country Village, near Rochester.) This Federal style home was built in stages--as many early homes were--by Asa Bement ca. 1797. Carefully preserved, the home includes an herb garden, summer kitchen, dairy pantry, dry sink, costumed interpreter cooking on an open hearth, 1814 parlor (with faux wood grain painted settee), 7-year old Jane Bement's original sampler, a built-in clock and built-in china cabinets, square piano, melodian, and a wonderful gift shop! Other buildings, such as a threshing barn (where the first school was held) and blacksmith shop (Asa was a blacksmith) are shown on the property. Tours ($2 for adults, $1 for students), by costumed guides, are given of the home and out buildings Sat & Sun, 1-4 PM, in July & August and there is a wonderful Apple Fest the first weekend of October, in which children learn how to work early machinery, learn about artisan skills & crafts, have a FREE "Make & Take," 17 bands performing, square dancing, learn about & pet farm yard animals and great food (turkey, pork, beef) by Bob's Barbeque of Homer, many apple desserts, soup made outdoors and many other interesting things to do (all [except food] covered by the small admission fee). Not...

Bement Billings is a great place. I have visited the museum and enjoyed it. I love their walking trails though. If you park in the grass by the visitor building, you can walk over to the bridge across the river/creek. It's a beautiful and peaceful place. I have never seen other people on the trails. I have seen deer,...

My son (5) and I have been there twice now for different events. Last weekend we attended the Bluebell festival. We walked the storybook trail that had pages of a book to read along the way. The flowers were beautiful. There was also maypole...