The Chief Pontiac Programs Committee is pleased to offer an Early American Skills Experience at the new living history themed area located within the Kensington Metro-Park Farm Center.
The activites are designed for youth and adults aged 14 and up.
Learn the skills that all settlers on a farm needed to know to be self sufficient. A farmer in an early settlement needed to be able to make or repair almost anything themselves.
The Blacksmith shoppe is in place, as well as a multi use shelter and Kitchen building with an open hearth and a Brick Bake Oven. The woodworking shoppe is complete.
The Fiber Arts and Life Skills shelter is now complete, where you can learn skills that were necessary to every day life on the Michigan Frontier such as making clothing or accessories. weaving and spinning, fire building, candle making, and other life skills from pioneer days.
For more information and details about the classes, fees and patch program, please see the Early American Skills Experience Web Page
For answers to some frequently asked questions: Early American Skills Experience FAQ
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the CPPC to help offset the cost of constructing and operating the village please follow this link: KLHV Operating and Building Campaign
The Schedule of upcoming events at the Living History Village is listed below. Space Availability and Registration
On-Line Registration for cooking classes cuts off on Tuesday before the session.
On-Line Registration for all other classes cuts off on Thursday before the session.
| Dates | Program | Details |
| April 2024 | Living History Village Work Weekend - | This weekend the Kensington Living History Village Staff will be Working on Village Updates ad supporting the Spring Festival via Demos ( Farm Center Spring Festival (Metroparks Web Site)) |
| May 17 - 18 2025 | Early American Skills Weekend - Classes | Weekend focused on teaching and learning Early American Skills and offering the Fort Challenge patch. See the Skill Experience Web Page for more details. |
| Jun 21 - 22 2025 | Early American Skills Weekend- Classes | Weekend focused on teaching and learning Early American Skills and offering the Fort Challenge patch. See the Skill Experience Web Page for more details. |
| Jul 19 - 20 2025 | Early American Skills Weekend - Classes | Weekend focused on teaching and learning Early American Skills and offering the Fort Challenge patch. See the Skill Experience Web Page for more details. |
| Aug TBD 2024 | Colonial Kensington | Many of the KLHV Staff will be at the Colonial Kensington Encampment, and demonstrating the skills and projects taught at KLHV. This annual event is will be located at The Farm Center and The Living History Village inside Kensington Metropark. |
| Aug 16 - 17 2025 | Early American Skills Weekend - Classes | Weekend focused on teaching and learning Early American Skills and offering the Fort Challenge patch. See the Skill Experience Web Page for more details. |
| Sep 20 - 21 2025 | Early American Skills Weekend- Classes | Weekend focused on teaching and learning Early American Skills and offering the Fort Challenge patch. See the Skill Experience Web Page for more details. |
| October 2025 | Kensington Farm Center Fall Festival | This weekend the Kensington Living History Village Staff will be supporting the Kensington Metropark Farm Center, in support of the Fall Festival Event. Kensington Farm Center (Metroparks Web Site) |
| Oct 18 - 19 2025 | Early American Skills Weekend- Classes | Weekend focused on teaching and learning Early American Skills and offering the Fort Challenge patch. See the Skill Experience Web Page for more details. |
Contact Us
Please send your questions or comments about the KLHV programs to KLHV@chiefpontiacprograms.org.
In addition to this web site there is also a Chief Pontiac Programs Facebook group. Check us out on Facebook to see what others have to say about the programs and to see some photo's of our past activities.