It takes one and one-half bushels of apples to make one gallon of juice, according to Lorraine Bowen, program coordinator. Until the 1930s apple cider was the nation's most popular fruit drink. Apples are placed in the machine whole, then ground and wrapped in mesh netting. The bundle is then placed in the press. The handle is turned, which squeezes the apple pulp, releasing the sweet juice.
Visitors can sample fresh, hot cider in the farmhouse.
Patch's woodworking shop will also be open, so step inside to watch a master carver at work. Visitors can also try husking and shelling corn, making corn husk dolls and making doll heads out of apples. There will be tallow candle making demonstrations and games at the pioneer site. As part of ongoing fall activities, the American West Heritage Center also boasts a large patch where visitors can pick their own pumpkins or purchase them already picked. Decorative gourds, corn stalk bundles, Indian corn and miniature corn are also available.