One of my favorite places to visit in New Hampshire is Parker's Maple Barn. Parker's Maple Barn is a family owned business which began in the 1960s with a small Sugar House.
Today, Parker's Maple Barn is a very popular gathering place. You will enjoy the restaurant, a visit to the operating sugar house and attending the seasonal traditional POW WOWS.
The barn was built in 1782 in Milford, New Hampshire. It was known as "The Laurels". In the ‘60s it was dismantled and rebuilt in the quaint town of Mason, New Hampshire.
The restaurant at Parkers is always overlfowing with delicious food and you will definitely want to bring along your appetite.
Breakfast consists of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage links and a piece of ham, home fries and thick homemade toast. The best part is that breakfast is served with Parker's maple syrup. Lunch begins with homemade soup or chowder and an array of entrees from Ham to Turkey! My favorite is the slow cooked Baby-back pork ribs - with Parker's maple syrup... yummy!
The Sugar House is operational and produces maple syrup using old wood-fired evaporators. The method was introduced by Native Americans who used hot rocks which were placed into hollowed out logs full of sap. The secret to the wonderful maple flavor is cooking with wood fire. 
The outdoor temperature must cooperate - daytime temperatures must be in the low 40's and evening temperatures must be in the in the high 20's. The season lasts about 6 weeks.
It takes about 40 gallons of the sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
Parker's still uses hundreds of sap buckets, although not commonly used any more by many sap makers.
Tours can be arranged from February through April (call ahead. .
If you are looking for some New Hampshire gifts be sure to stop by and visit the Corn-Crib gift shop.
It is an old antique corn crib where corn used to be stored. In addition, to all the maple products, there are many other unique gift ideas including maple product gift baskets, jewelry, drums and music. Gifts can be shipped all over the world.
In the fall there is an annual authentic POW WOW. "Pow Wows are a mixture of celebration, social gatherings and friendly dance competitions, shared by the ‘Generations' of people. But, as the sacred thread that runs through all life, there are sacred traditions to be found in this coming together of people."
Parker's Maple Barn is located in Mason, New Hampshire. Mason is a beautiful town with a population of just over 1300 [2006 census]. It is known as the boyhood home of "Uncle Sam," Samuel Wilson.
Parker's Maple Barn is located at 1316 Brookline Road, Mason, NH 03048.
The restaurant is open M-F from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 .m. - 4:00 p.m. There are limited hours on holidays.
The Annual Maple weekend is March 27 - 28. You can find out more about Maple sugar house and products on the New Hampshire Maple Sugar Producers website.
Visit New Hampshire .... New Hampshire was chosen as the Most Livable State in America! and the Fifth Healthiest State in America!
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Disclaimer: Information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any notice. Joan Whitebook does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Copyright © 2010 By Joan Whitebook, "New Hamphshire Celebrate Maple Season" Photos © 2010 ~ Joan Whitebook ~ all rights reserved.*
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