Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve in Huntington will offer two opportunities this winter for visitors to learn about the tradition of maple sugaring. The program, led by naturalist Virginia Dankel, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, and again on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Limited openings remain for each session, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park, located at 25 Lloyd Harbor Road. The program is intended for adults, and registration is required, according to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.
Dankel, who has been presenting maple sugaring for the last 30 years, said participants should not expect a pancake breakfast. “The purpose is to help you understand and learn about maple sugaring, and I emphasize No. 1 that it is a purely American product—and northeastern United States at that—and that we got it from the Native Americans,” she said.
The activity will be interactive, with one participant selected to tap (or drill) into the maple tree chosen for the occasion. There will typically be some sampling, and when asked to identify what they tasted, many participants reply “sweet water,” according to Dankel.
The process, from tree to table, involves simmering to evaporate water and isolate the sugary taste, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the process.
“It’s not complex technology. The only skill you really need is patience, where our society tends to like instant gratification,” Dankel said, explaining that many gallons of sap are harvested to produce a small amount of syrup.
While buying maple syrup from the supermarket is more convenient, Dankel noted that the program draws people looking for a unique way to experience Caumsett, which is known for its scenic peninsula on Long Island Sound.
“It is, and always has been, my most popular program,” Dankel said. “We only take 20 people, and we generally turn away twice that many.”
Regarding the Native Americans credited with introducing maple sugaring techniques, Dankel said, “They use it like we use salt and pepper on absolutely everything,” and it’s primarily served as a treat.
For colonists who learned from indigenous groups, she added, “It was their only major sweetener—not so much because they wanted it, but because sugar was exceedingly expensive. And even if you could afford it, it was exceedingly difficult to come by.”
Although Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve has a history of maple sugaring, it does not have any sugar maple trees, which are best suited for this process.
Because sugar maples are rare on Long Island, Caumsett will use Norway maples as a substitute. The program is timed for January and February to take advantage of the limited season for harvesting sap, which becomes maple syrup.
While at the park for maple sugaring, visitors can also enjoy horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and hiking on nature trails. Dogs are not allowed at the park, and there is currently no parking fee.
This location became part of the New York State parks system in 1961 after being purchased in 1921 by Marshall Field III, who built a large estate and named it Caumsett, after the Matinecock Indian word for “place by a sharp rock.” Field later inspired the creation of a country club at the site, though there was no golf.
For more information on Caumsett and its many activities, visit the website. To register for maple sugaring, call 631-423-1770.