It's finally here, the 2025 Event List! Print this out or bookmark our website, so you can easily find the events you'd like to attend.
The French Azilum Historic Site
2025 Event Schedule
469 Queens Road, Towanda, PA 18848 Mailing address 637 Doolittle Hill Road, Laceyville, PA 18623
570-265-3376 thefrenchazilum.com. frenchazilum@gmail.com
Sunday, May 18 - Wartime Afternoon Tea. Step back in time with us as we sample creations from WW I and WW II Ration Books and discover that with some ingenuity, delicious savories, scones and even cakes can be had! Be the first to see the new ‘Fashion at War’ Period Clothing Exhibit, and take a tour of the historic LaPorte House! Must be pre-booked. Call 570-996-7534 to book. $35 pp. ALREADY ALMOST HALF SOLD OUT SO HURRY!
Friday - Sunday, May 24-26 - Opening Weekend. The site is open for the season. Regular hours are 11-4 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with tours of the LaPorte House at noon, 1,2,and 3 pm.
Saturday, May 31 - Wellness Day. Our third annual presentation of the best of the many choices available to create a healthier, calmer you! Choose from halotherapy, aromatherapy, yoga, reiki, tai chi and much more, all in Azilum's stunningly beautiful riverside surroundings. Light snack and beverages available. Pre-booking appreciated- discount price $30 pp. Walk in on the day- $40 pp. Call 607-425-8858 to book.
Saturday, June 7 - Blacksmithing Day. Our Master Blacksmith is back, and running our popular Blacksmithing Class from noon-4 pm. Learn the basics of safety, how to handle fire, how to bend the metal to your desired shape--then create a tool or decoration you can proudly say you made yourself! $35 pp. Must be pre-booked as spaces are limited. Call 570-996-7534 to book.
Sunday, June 8 - Labyrinth Silver Anniversary Celebration. Come join us to view and walk our newly repaired and refreshed Labyrinth. At 1:30, hear a short talk about the history of labyrinths, and why we have a labyrinth at French Azilum! Those involved in the original planning and construction of our labyrinth will be on site, too, to answer questions, and those involved in the recent and ongoing repair will explain their work
Friday - Sunday, June 20-22 - Susquehanna Summer Solstice Festival. Returning for a third year, this festival brings together the best of regional artistry, dance, music, and more. For more information and pricing, see their website at susquehannasolstice.com Please note that the Public is invited to the Festival June 20,21, and 22
Saturday, July 5 - Family Fun Day. Better and bigger than ever before! Come marvel at our magician, have fun with the very talented Balloon Artist.Learn with DCNR rep Dan, visit with local police--and a surprise guest or two!--with an opportunity for fingerprints and free bike helmet distribution. Historic Scavenger Hunt and much more. Special event pricing too!
Saturday, July 12 - Descendants' Day. If you have family who lived at Azilum, we’d love to hear about that! Come join us for a special time exploring familial histories and meeting other Azilum descendants—and maybe findiing some long-lost relatives! There will also be an in-depth tour of the LaPorte House, and a sneak peek at our updated photo history collection
Saturday & Sunday, August 2 & 3- Civil War Weekend. Thrill to the sound of canon fire and rifle shots. Watch as re-enactors charge, skirmish and battle. Discover what a trial back in the mid 1800s was like. Have fun at the frying pan toss contest and sample the pie contest entrants.
Saturday, August 23 - Sip &Spin. Try your hand at spinning, weaving, and more. Bring your favorite beverage (alcoholic or bot) and snack, and see if you can create a beautiful length of yarn to fashion into something precious! $35 per person 11-3. Call 570-996-7634 to book, as spaces are limited. This is also our Closing Weekend— last chance to visit the site before we shut for the winter!
Our volunteers have been busy these past few weeks, making and installing an extension to the picket fencing around Azilum's LaPorte House. A new, wrought-iron gate was also made as the crowning glory of the new fence.
Terry Fairchild, welder, (left) and Rusty Sherrock, blacksmith, with the new gate. Note the fleur-de-lis atop the fancy scrolls.
Picket fence team: (left to right) Tom Finan, Larry Chilson, Mike Hudyncia, Fred Smith (kneeling).
We had an amazing two days back in the 18th century with our first-ever Revolutionary War Weekend. Thanks to Joe Ling and his many friends among the re-enactment community, more than 100 people truly brought French Azilum back in time.
More pictures from our Revolutionary War Weekend!
The OPEN HEARTH COOKING EXPERIENCE will take place from 10:30- about 4 pm on Sunday, October 20, at the LaPorte House. *** Please note new date!***
The French Azilum will close its gates for the 2024 Season on Sunday, August 25. We are open that day from 11-4 with the last tour at 3 pm sharp!
We have a cracking schedule of events for 2024, so we hope you'll find something to pique your interest and encourage you to come visit us. Of course, you can always visit on non-event weekends (Fri,Sat,Sun) also, from 11-4 open hours.
MAY
Sunday, 12. May - Themed Tea, 1-4 'Dress Up in Your Finest.' Mothers and daughters, grandmothers and aunts and friends, you're all invited to come welcome Spring at Azilum's 'Dress Up Tea'. Wear your coolest outfit, your Sunday best, whatever takes your fancy--there will be prizes!
Enjoy a tour of the LaPorte House, some friendly appreciation of everyone's outfits, and then a delicious home made three course tea in the LaPorte House's gracious dining room.
$35 per person. Must be pre-booked: call 570-996-7534.
Friday - Sunday, 24-26. May, Opening Weekend (Blacksmiths will be there) HIDDEN HOUSE TOUR! Sunday 1 pm ONLY! $20 gets you into the attic and basement of the House, and up to the female servants’ quarters on a longer, more in depth tour with our site historian. Here is your chance to ask questions and venture theories about why certain construction details exist (we don't know everything!).
JUNE
Saturday, 1. June - Wellness Day--following up 2023's successful event, come enjoy Azilum's beautiful surroundings as you explore some wellness practises. Always wanted to learn some healthy eating tips? Want to get more flexible with Yoga? Curious about saline therapy? This is your chance to experience it all! Light, healthy snacks will be available. $30 Pay on Arrival with cash, check or card. Must be pre-booked. Register below or call 570-265-8806 to reserve your place!
Saturday 8. June - Blacksmithing Day with Class. If you've always been curious about the art of Blacksmithing, Azilum's Master Blacksmiths will teach your the basics, and more, and guide you to make your very own simple tool that you can bring home and brag to your friends that you made! Or, gift it to someone special (and still brag!). Classes are limited to six participants and must be pre-booked. Call 570-996-7534 to do so. $35 per person. Over 16 please, or with a parent/guardian.
Friday - Sunday, 21-23 June - Susquehanna Summer Solstice Festival. Back for a third year, the Solstice Festival is a three day celebration of the arts: music, painting, dance and more! Azilum's Blacksmiths will be on hand to showcase their artistry, and painters, authors, musicians, and dancers both local and beyond will delighte visitors with their beautiful creations. For more details, see the Festival's website, susquehannasolsticefest.com.
JULY
Saturday, 6. July - Family Fun Day. Bring your family, your neighbors, your friends, and enjoy a great day out amid Azilum's beautiful scenery. We'll have tons of entertainment and activities for everyone, including a fabulous magician, a balloon artist, a representative from DCNR who'll do some cool nature-themed activities, and our Master Blacksmiths will be showing everyone how they make the tools that are so essential to daily life. Historic Scavenger Hunt with prizes!
Special price: adults admitted for only $2 if they're accompanied by a child under 12. (Children under 12 get in free) J&R's Kitchen Food Truck will be on hand too, with their delicious burgers, mexican hand-helds, and more! So plan to spend the day.
Saturday, 13. July- Community/Descendants' Day We really appreciate our neighbors and friends, and especially are excited to welcome any and all descendants of Azilum's original settlers on this special day. Costumed characters, a talk on the history of Azilum and the French influence in Bradford County, house tours and our Master Blacksmiths will help visitors 'step back in time' to the late 1790s and realize what life was like for Azilum's residents.
Special pricing: Adults $5 for two rather than each! So bring a friend (or two, or three...) J&R's Kitchen Food Truck will be on hand, so plan to spend the day!
AUGUST
Saturday, 3. August - Civil War Day. Come and witness history re-created as our favorite Civil War soldiers skirmish, march and volley! Explore the camp where they'll be cooking as they did 'back in the day' and even holding a pie contest! Watch as traitors are captured and tried, and thrill to the bone-shaking firing of the canon. Master Blacksmiths will be on the site, working their metal magic, and J&R's Kitchen Food Truck will be there too, to be sure you don't go hungry!
Come twilight, experience the LaPorte House as it would have been back in the mid 1800s, with a candlelight tour. Then sit back and watch the sparks fly during the exciting night time canon firing!
Friday - Sunday, 23-25. August - Closing Weekend - Revolutionary War Day. We close our regular 2024 season with an exciting new event for us: a Revolutionary War Day! Relive what it must have been like in the Endless Mountains in the 1760s and 1770s when our country was fighting for its freedom from English rule. Revolutionary War soldiers in full costume will be staging battles and skirmishes, and will be happy to talk with visitors about why they do what they do, and what soldiers' lives were like in the 1700s. Explore their camp and enjoy costumed civilians as well as soldiers!
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL EVENTS, TO BE SCHEDULED.
SO WATCH THIS EVENT LIST!
APRIL/OCTOBER
Saturday, 20 April and/or Saturday, 5. October - Open Hearth Experience--Join us as we chop, prep and cook a three course meal over the LaPorte House's historic fireplace (1833). Then sit down with your fellow participants and enjoy the meal! 2023's Experience was a great success, so come get a feel and appreciation for what cooking (and eating) was like back in the early 1800s. $65 per person. Must be pre-booked. When dates are scheduled, call 570-996-7534 to book.
Saturday, 26. October - Escape the Guillotine--An Escape Room like no other. See if you can figure out the ciphers, puzzles, riddles and clues in each of the LaPorte House's puzzle rooms to break free from the threat of Mme. La Guillotine! $50 per couple or $35 pp. Must be pre-booked.When date is scheduled, call 570-996-7534 to book.
We had a wonderful time prepping and cooking a three course meal over the historic (1833) fireplace at the LaPorte House on October 7. Eight participants enjoyed a tour of the house as well as all the chopping and baking and fricasseeing! Watch the website for news of the next Open Hearth Experience!
Dozens of volunteers came together recently to clear away the brush, invasive species and weeds from French Azilum's riverside. Pictured below are just some of the volunteers and their efforts. The result is that visitors can now see the river clearly from all areas of the site. We hope to continue improvements to the Nature Walk and picnic/boat launch areas in 2023.
Be sure to book your spot soon to join in the fun!
The recent Blacksmithing Weekend was a big sucess, with many thanks to our Blacksmiths Rusty, Steve, Matt, Dave, and Stevie. Beginners and intermediate students were guided to craft a range of items, from plant hooks, to trivets, to door hangers, to dinner bells!
Blacksmithing Class Update
Vino & Van Gogh at French Azilum!
On Sunday, October 10, from 1-4 pm join us at Azilum’s LaPorte House for a splendid themed Tea! This one will see whether you have what it takes to be the Lady of a Victorian Country House. After all, you have to know how things ought to be done if you want to properly direct your staff! Some etiquette pointers, as well as fun challenges will make up the theme of the event, all held in the gracious LaPorte House, which was lived in as a private home from its building in 1836 to 1988. Then you will sit down to a wonderful, home made, three course Afternoon Tea.
