homestead heritage

This was the second time to visit. There have been some additions to the homestead since my last visit about 10 years ago. I find this place to be interesting. The people are friendly and always willing to answer questions about what they are working on or general questions about the operations at the homestead. We also stopped at the cheese shop. The cheese was very tasty. My kids love the sweet potato pancake mix purchased at the grist mill. Many handmade items for sale. You can watch the homesteaders making pottery or forging items at the blacksmith barn.

We enjoyed the day we spent here walking thru the shops and looking around. The place is very clean and neat. We enjoyed the ride on the wagon drawn by horses. The food in the Cafe was delicious. I enjoyed shopping and had several items shipped home to me. I am anxious to see about having a custom made quilt done. We want to go back and take several classes there!

We visited during thanksgiving weekend festival.It was well and beautifully organized .All based on the community lifestyle and values .They make everything on their own and you get to see them do it starting with making flour, through interactions and explanations on horses , sheep, chickens and all the farm animals ending with lots of creative station for kids.We had a lot of the food and drinks, all made with local fresh produce and it was all fresh , healthy and tasting great.Kids (4 to 12 years old) had the greatest time and we did to!

This venue was a short 10 minute drive from downtown Waco, TX. We watch the free 14-minute film on this 550 acre religious community, walked through some of the shops and watched some of the craft demonstrations. Food items were reasonably priced buy many of the craft items were pricey, though of high quality. We initially thought about bringing our grandsons to this site on our next weekend trip but later read that some of the men of the Homestead were charged with child abuse. Sad.

My daughter goes to Antioch Discipleship school in Waco, Texas and a friend and I came for a visit. She kept talking about the great cheese from a place called Homestead Heritage - a small village of shops a few minutes outside of town. So we went and the place was just beautiful. If you've ever been to Williamsburg, VA - this is a small slice of that atmosphere. It's was meticulously clean and you could tell great care went into the landscape and buildings. There are trees and hills and even a hand made bridge and water fountain. There were butterflies everywhere. There was a horse drawn wagon loading up when we arrived. The people are very kind and friendly. I can't speak to the food but the raspberry lemonade was very refreshing and the cups were gigantic. As we walked out the door, they asked up if we wanted refills. The shops were filled with handmade items and the wood work and quilting was absolutely gorgeous. One of the quilts sold for $3,500 (out of my price range). I especially liked the antler back scratchers and brooms with handmade handles. It's kid/family friendly and on a beautiful day - you will enjoy being outside as there are benches everywhere. The bathrooms were immaculate. One reviewer mentioned they looked up the religion and had to leave but we didn't go there to discuss religion. We went for the experience and it was the highlight of our visit. BTW - while you are in Waco, go to the Farmer's Market. You will enjoy that as well!

Interesting place, good living history, and delightful people. This is a good place to bring children for them to see not only how life once was lived, but is now lived by choice by the 1000 families still there. The community has an interesting history as well as shops and demonstrations. I would love to take the cheese making and furniture making classes someday. There is usually a wait at the restaurant, but it is worth it. Delicious food and great service.

The people there live in a culture long past. They weave their own goods, do beautiful woodworks, grow their food, they have a metal/iron works shop, a bakery, a grist mill, etc. The children are home schooled. you can walk the village and enjoy the ambiance. The cafe is excellent. There is a cheeze shop. You can take classes to learn the techniques they have preserved from days long gone. It was a very enjoyable day. There is a big deal celebration for the pubic to enjoy over the Thanksgiving weekend. I am told a lot of early Christmas shopping is done then.

I could say a lot about the class not being in depth enough but considering it was only 3 days and we covered so much ground it was a great class that gave me an idea of where i need to spend some more time learning. An excellent class with very good teachers.

Great place to visit to see how the basics of self-sufficient farm. A working grist mill, pottery production, textile production, blacksmith shop, woodworking shop and garden. Goats and sheep will be a hit with kids. Lots of things they make are for sale. Classes available. No admission charge.

Despite the news dirt diggers, I found this place wholesome and refreshing. I took a class there and already signed up for more. The people are friendly, kind, and helpful. Plenty to see and do and it's like stepping back into a simpler time. The crafts are all quality merchandise and the food is wonderful. Go; you will not be disappointed.

We always have a wonderful time at Homestead Village and today was no exception! We dined in the neat log style restaurant. Browsed the barn where they sell things they make. Purchased Pottery at the Pottery shop. Wood furniture, woven textiles, pottery, working Mill, and much more all tucked back in a beautiful area. Very well maintained and everyone we come in contact with that works there is so very nice. Can't wait till next time!

All food is raised and prepared on this working farm. Fresh, quality ingredients. You can tour the grist mill. General store, herb garden, etc. worth the drive for such a special place.

I just wish I had dug a little deeper. I agree with going back to your roots and living simply and learning how to do this. We walked the grounds and through the very few exhibits then to the cafe forvat sandwich and phone checking. I wanted to know more about the people so started reading different materials I found on internet. Didn't finish the meal. I seriously had to leave after reading an article http://www.wfaa.com/news/investigates/Waco-religious-commune-accused-of-masking-abuse-149134605.html

We visited Homestead Heritage during their Labor Day festival. The people are kind and eager to share more about their skills and way of life. The food at the festival was fantastic - all homegrown. Plenty of activities for the whole family. My 6 and 10 year old loved it. My wife found lots of great organic groceries and crafts. A great place to visit!

The other day my family and I decided to travel out to Homestead Heritage to spend the morning. We took our own picnic supplies and found a picnic table under some trees near the parking lot. After our picnic, we visited the various workshops on their campus. There is a lot to see and do, and the workers do not pressure you into purchasing anything. A couple of our favorite stops are the Potter’s House and the Mill Shop. On the day that we visited, they had the wood burning ovens fired up and were cooking some pottery. While we were there, we purchased some ground cinnamon and ground cumin. They have a lot of fresh food products to choose from, and their prices are very reasonable. At the end of our journey through the workshops, we stopped at the café and indulged in some excellent homemade ice cream. My flavor was “sorghum pecan,” which has ingredients produced right there on location! Delicious!