Living History

I'm still trying to catch up!

Back in September on the 25th, Jeff and I took the kids to Living History Days. It is put on by homeschooler's for homeschooler's and anyone else who'd want to be a part. I didn't really know what to expect but what we saw was far superior then I ever imagined it would be.

There were adults involved but most of the participants were teenagers. The time was set back to right after the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1772. It began with a short production of the signing of the Dec. of Ind.

There were seven different stations that we rotated around to learn different things about the era. Those who put this on were dressed to fit the part and they constantly talked like they were actually back in that time. When asked questions about whatever they were sharing that were still in the part when they answered. They never said "they" they always answered "we". We were very, very impressed!

The Longhunters -

At this station we learned about how they hunted, how they used animal pelts for different things and how they made clothes with the leather. We also saw how they made their guns.

The Militia -

This was the boys' favorite. Here we got some of history of what was going on from a Frenchman. The boys then took part of a "battle" with the Redcoats. While they were part of that the girls learned what roles females paid during the war.

Agriculture -

We got to hear what they used gourds for, what foods you would have seen. We also got to see someone spinning yarn. The kids got to hold chickens, feed a goat, pet a bunny and puppy. They also got to search for eggs and shuck some corn.

Wood Shop -

I missed a lot of this because Kaylie kept going back to the chickens, but I believe here they demonstrated the different tools they used and what it took to actually make things with wood, like benches and they even got to put some mud on a cabin.

Music -

The boys' were not into this at all and they just went back to the Wood Shop, but Kaylie sat right in the front and LOVED it! I was amazed at how enthralled she was with the music. She even was instructing them with some of their music and she made sure to clap after every song.

Candle Making -

Because the boys got to be part of the battle against the Redcoats, only the girls got to make a candle. So Kaylie was in a line that would go and dip a wick into wax and then would get back in line and that continued to happen for 20 minutes. While the girls were making the candles the boys were actually learning about how they made different candles, like with bees wax etc. I think they got into it because they stood there and listened the whole time.

Games -

Here they played some games of the time. Of course there were checkers but there were also hoops you used a paddle to role, there was another game that Jeff and Preston loved and it was made up of a small hoop and each person had two dowel rods. They would shoot the hoop in the air and the other person would catch it with their rods and they would shoot it back. They got that hoop pretty high.

I was amazed at the technology back then! ;o)

The whole family enjoyed the day and hopefully the kids learned a lot. The next time this is put on, we are definitely going and then we'll go all day rather then just half of the day.

God Bless America!