Video Description: Step back in time at the historic Thornhill Farm and Mansion in Faust Park, Missouri, as we take you on a journey into the daily life of the American Frontier. In this episode, we explore the age-old craft of butter making, a vital task in every frontier household. We demonstrate the traditional churning process using a classic churn and dasher, also known as a broom-stick churn. Watch as our host transforms fresh cream into smooth, golden butter, all through the simple yet labor-intensive method that sustained families during the 19th century.

But butter on the frontier wasn’t just for sustenance—it was also a point of pride. We’ll go beyond the churning process to showcase a variety of intricate butter molds, revealing how families presented their butter in decorative patterns when entertaining guests. From simple blocks to ornate designs, these molds give a glimpse into the creativity and hospitality of frontier households. Join us to discover how this humble staple was not only a necessity but also an art form in early American life.

• Butter is made daily, which means it’s made in many different weather conditions. Have your students research making butter, then develop a question and hypothesis as to how these varying conditions might affect making butter.
• Turn this into a science experiment by assigning students different weather conditions to test the effect of different weather conditions in the butter making process. Students should follow the steps of the Scientific Process by developing, executing, observing, recording an experiment, then reporting their results.
• Use the video as part of your study of the American frontier to give students an idea about what their daily life would have been like.
• Have students make butter and then write a letter to their 19th century friend back east to explain how they do it.
• Use the video as part of a “living history” unit in class that will have students presenting first person accounts of life during a specific time period. That time period could be the early 19th century or any other time you are currently studying. How does the video help them think about their own research, writing, and presentation?

See examples of frontier family life by viewing the full program this segment is edited from: A Child’s Life on the Frontier.