Old Fort Western is set to offer the program “Martha Ballard’s World: Wife, Mother, Healer, Horticulturist” from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

There will be rotating stations centered on activities Ballard, a colonial woman in Hallowell, wrote about in her diary during May.

At the interactive Garden and Kitchen Hearth station, people can delve into the 18th-century use of herbs and plants for consumption and healing. They can pick herbs for the kitchen. Then, at the kitchen hearth, they will experience the everyday activity of making butter.

In the Age of Homespun station, people will work with textiles, learning about the different fibers of the 18th century and how they were processed, as well as the use of natural dyes, as they work with different types of looms and card and spin wool.

The Martha the Healer station is located in the actual room in the home where Ballard practiced her healing skills.

At 2:30 p.m. will be afternoon tea in the south parlor of the garrison. People are encouraged to bring their own teacups and saucers.

Two additional stations are A Visit with Dr. Samuel Coleman in the S & W Howard Store, and Martha Ballard: Fact or Fiction.

The cost for this program is $25.

To register, visit oldfortwestern.org or call 207-626-2385.

Check out other upcoming area events!