THIS YEAR’S Strawberry Festival was the first official event during which the completely restored Van Laethem Farm Windmill was displayed to the public. Minit & Militia members are selling t-shirts in green or white to offset the expenses of this project. From left: Maxwell Murphy, Maureen Gaffney, Bob Snyder and George Cairns. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
ENJOYING homemade strawberry shortcake and biscuits on the lawn of the Putnam House are Riley Kee (left) and Norah Deninger. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
PEEK-A-BOO! The Linnane sisters, Emma, 5, and Audrey, 3, wait for their mom before venturing into the Cobbler’s Shop on the grounds of the Putnam House. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
LEARNING THE history behind various tools on display in the metal and tin shop at the Putnam House, such as this manually operated metal brake used to blend metal plates is Harper Woollam, 10, at the Strawberry Festival. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
PLAYING CORNHOLE in shadow of restored Van Laethem Farm Windmill near the Farm Museum at the Putnam House are Cara Ward, 15, (tossing beanbag) and Annalee Miller, 15. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
THE PURPOSE of some artifacts displayed in the recreated Sgt. George Flint House (circa 1680) are explained to to Pam and Rick Foye (left) by Maxwell Murphy of the North Reading Minit and Militia. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
OF HEARTH AND HOME. Kitchen fireplaces in colonial times, such as this one in the 1720 Rev. Daniel Putnam House, served as the heart of the home, providing warmth, food and comfort for the household and their guests. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
THE TOOLS of the trade of a cobbler are displayed in the Cobbler’s Shop on the Putnam House grounds. Shoe-making was an essential trade in farming towns like North Reading, especially in the winter months, and their shops dotted the landscape here. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
