There will also be appropriate landscaping, including an orchard and plantings, as well as a parking area. The Stony Brook Garden Club is installing and planting an 18th Century kitchen garden, including herbs and vegetables. Once open, Rockingham will again offer guided tours and hold special events, such as Washington's Birthday celebration, children's tours, and candlelight holiday presentations. There are Colonial games and parlor music at various events, and docents in period dress. Interest in historic preservation is increasing, says Ms. Carlsen, adding that people ask lots of questions, and are often surprised to discover how life was actually lived long ago.
People are nostalgic.
They have to stop and think how different life was then. No showers, no heat, just fireplaces. But the best part is actually being able to do something you love and that you'd do anyway. If I worked at something else, I'd read about history and visit historic sites on weekends and vacations. Rockingham is closed to the public until its reopening in about a year.