Hands-On Summer History!
School’s out for summer and if you’re looking for a great day trip with the kids, we’ve got some fun activities planned every week! Every day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., we will host the Hands-On History Hour. These special hands-on experiences will be offered throughout the Park and will rotate on a weekly basis all summer long.
Hands-on History Hour – 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
June 7-11: 1830s A Letter Home
Learn the rudiments of 19th century letter writing at the Jones Stock Farm. Create an envelope, make ink and write with a quill pen using early techniques.
June 14-18: 1860s Rag Dolls
In the early 1800s, toys were usually homemade. Come learn how to make a rag doll and take one home as a keepsake.
June 21-25: 1890s Soap Carving
Whittling was a popular historical pastime. Visit the Sharecropper cabin to learn some proper whittling techniques and practice on bars of soap.
June 28-July 2nd: 1930s Saddle Exploration
Explore the ins and outs of crafting and caring for the cowboy’s favorite tool – the saddle.
July 5-9: 1830s Book Binding
Use early tools and methods to craft your own 19th century booklet to take home as a souvenir.
July 12-16: 1860s Preserving Summer Produce
Explore the food preservation methods of old as we preserve produce from our summer garden at the Old Prairie Home.
July 19-23: 1890s Victorian Paper Flowers & Figures
Get crafty like a Victorian and learn the art of paper folding which was all the rage in the late 1800s.
July 26-30: 1930s Flip Books
Learn about the birth of animation and movies with this simple toy – a popular pastime in the early-1900s.
August 2-6: 1830s Tools – Rope Making and Cordage
Experiment with early 19th century tools such as the tarabilla and the lucet. They made rope- and cordage-making a breeze!
August 9-13: 1860s Camp Songs
Experience camp songs of the past with this interactive sing-a-long at the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home.
August 16-20: 1890s Greenhouse Cuttings
Discover the art and science behind greenhouse cuttings and how they were used in the 19th century to craft a wonder of old and new plants.
August 23-27: 1930s Tree House Fun
Our special tree house was built for young Miss Mary in the 1930s. Re-live days gone by as we explore the games and fun held in the tree house’s past.
We hope you’ll join us for one or more activities this summer! And remember — members ALWAYS receive free admission to the Park, so you can come as often as you want! See you soon!
