Spring in Bristol

Congratulations on surviving another brutal New England winter! I applaud those of you who left your homes and ventured out into the frigid unknown to do whatever folks do in the freezing cold. As for the rest of us, cabin fever may be five steps beyond ‘setting in’ and this cold, dark reality may seem like the new way of life — what are seasons again? Hang tight, the grass will start looking greener soon enough. It might be about time to crawl out of the depths of hibernation and start the season off right in the historic city of Bristol to get some spring back in your step!

Bristol is famously known in Rhode Island for its annual Fourth of July festivities. It sports those red, white and blue stripes down its main street year round as a constant reminder that this place is obviously inundated with a bygone history, spanning roughly three centuries. But who’s counting? A city with as much antiquity as Bristol is no one-trick pony. Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum, Coggeshall Farm Museum and Linden Place are a few destination locations that will offer unique, educational and entertaining happenings this spring.

Susan Battle, events services coordinator at Linden Place, was very excited about the musical artists who will be gracing Linden Place with their various styles. Battle was also eager to announce that in the months of April and May, Linden Place will lead historical walks through Bristol; one is the Historical Slavery Walking Tour and the other is the Architectural Walking tour.

“We have several great events coming up. In March we have a really fun Celtic music artist, Robby O’Connell. This will be his 5th or 6th year here. In April we have a classical guitarist, who plays through the ages, early 1800s through contemporary times. In May the operatic piano player Michael Dimucci will be at Linden Place.”

For a slice-of-life type experience, Coggeshall Farm is the destination for you. It’s a living museum of sorts where visitors can step back in time to the 18th century to see and experience how life was for farm families back in the days before the industrial revolution. Demonstrations and classes are hands-on and fully immersive. Bread baking, candle making, hearth cooking and Coggeshall’s blacksmith shop are some of the workshops and demonstrations offered. The farm has a few special events this spring including the 9th Annual Rhode Island Fiber Festival and Craft Fair and maple sugaring!

For those who want to see how more affluent individuals of the past lived, visit the Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum. The mansion itself is quite impressive and one could spend an entire day walking through the remarkable 45 rooms filled with heirlooms from the McKee family. The real appeal of Blithewold is its various gardens, a horticulturalist’s dream! The mansion rests on 33 acres of land filled with an extensive collection of rare and unusual plants, trees, shrubs and landscaping. During Blithewold’s Daffodil Days, the ground explodes in a carpet of yellow — a gorgeous herald of spring. The mansion opens for tours the first week of April. Blithewold is also hosting The Chef’s Table Dinner Series this spring.

Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum, 101 Ferry Rd, Bristol. A specially crafted menu prepared by a local chef using seasonal and local ingredients and served in the dining room of a beautiful and historic mansion sounds pretty ideal, whether you consider yourself a foodie or not. The Chef’s Table Dinner Series showcases five different local chefs who prepare a menu unique to their style for guests to savor in the mansion. Sundays, March 6, March 13, April 3, TBA, 6 – 8pm

Coggeshall Farm Museum, One Colt Dr, Bristol. coggeshallfarm.org. The 9th Annual Rhode Island Fiber Festival and Craft Fair hosts traditional artisans and craftspeople from across the Northeast. Have you ever wondered how the wool of a sheep turns into a sweater? This is your opportunity to see live demonstrations and shop for handmade items! Saturday, May 21, 10am – 5pm Maple syrup addict? Tired of traveling all the way to Vermont and paying the price for “real” maple syrup? Here’s an opportunity for you to help the folks at Coggeshall Farm tap their Norway maples and learn the process of turning ordinary sap into delicious maple sugar at their Maple Sugaring event! Buy a man a bottle of syrup and he’ll enjoy pancakes for a week, teach a man to maple sugar and he’ll enjoy pancakes for a lifetime — that’s how the old proverb goes right? Also, this may be the only time in your life where you can say, “I’d tap that” without garnering dirty looks. Saturdays & Sundays, Thru March 13, 10am – 4pm

Linden Place Museum, 500 Hope St, Bristol. lindenplace.org. What better way to start celebrating St. Patrick’s day than with a night of authentic Celtic music performed by international folk singer, songwriter and story teller Robbie O’Connell? Friday, March 11, 7:30pm Help the animals while helping yourself to hors’ devourers, fare, dessert and drinks provided by Blackstone Caterers at the Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter’s 9th Annual Mardi Gras Ball. Best part? You won’t even have to hear “In the Arms of an Angel”! Tickets and information can be found at friendsofthebristolanimalshelter.org. Saturday, March 12, 6:30 – 10pm

Mount Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Ave, Bristol. mounthopefarm.org. The Mount Hope Farmers Market offers fresh, locally grown food and handmade artistries year round. The family friendly farm’s 127 acres of land is home to a barnyard with sheep, chickens and goats. Nature trails with an ocean view are also open to the public. Saturdays, 9am – 1pm If local, fresh cuisine tickles your fancy then look no further; Mount Hope Farm is also featuring a Farmer’s Table weekly pop-up dining experience this spring. Chefs from Russell Morin Fine Catering and Event are teaming up with the growers at Mount Hope Farms to serve a three-course prix fixe menu of inventive new dishes every week. Carefully curated selections of wines, beers and craft cocktails are paired with each meal that is the epitome of farm-to-table style dining. Diners will be served in the historic Governor Bradford House over candlelight with live entertainment for an ambiance that is romantic and intimate. Saturday, March 5, Saturday March 19

Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Rd, Bristol. pdq.rwu.edu. Have your metaphorical hand held through audible landscapes as earWorm, a collective of improvising composer-performers, lead the way through various musical styles. Take a trip through free form jazz, funk, blues and everything in between. This event is a part of the “RWU Alive! Art Series” and is free! March 20, 7:30pm