Illustration from John Greenleaf Whittier’s “Snow-Bound.”
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“Snow-Bound Weekend,” a dramatic re-creation of John Greenleaf Whittier’s famous poem, “Snow-Bound,” takes place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11 and Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the poet’s birthplace, 305 Whittier Road, Haverhill.
The cast includes Augustine J. “Gus” Reusch Jr. as John Greenleaf Whittier. Visitors will see the snow-bound Quaker family and friends, in full period dress, play scenes from the famous poem.
Whittier originally conceived Snow-Bound as a means of explaining to his niece, Elizabeth, the challenges of life in early nineteenth century Haverhill. Similarly, visitors to the birthplace during Snow-Bound Weekend will experience the warmth emanating from the poet’s own farmhouse hearth as they savor the scent of apples roasting by the fire,” say organizers of the event.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children 7 to 17 and free for children under 7.
Parking is not allowed at the birthplace, but free parking and a shuttle are available at Biggart’s Ice Cream, just off I-495 at Exit 52, Route 110. No reservations are necessary. For more information, call 978-372-8351 or visit t johngreenleafwhittier.com.
Snow-Bound was first published Feb. 17, 1866.
And, for the winter fireside meet,
Between the andirons’ straddling feet
The mug of cider simmered slow,
The apples sputtered in a row,
And, close at hand, the basket stood
With nuts from brown October’s wood.