Washing clothes in galvanized tubs full of suds and washboards, grinding corn into meal, and twisting twine into rope are just a few of the things that kids will learn how to do during Farm History Day at the Michigan Flywheelers Museum.
The event will take place Friday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Open to schools, home-schoolers and the public, Farm History Day will feature over 30 exhibits and demonstrations – many of them hands-on.
“This is one of our favorite events for our members,” said Patrick Ingalls, museum president. “They get to interact with the kids and it’s great to see all the excitement and smiles.”
Over 1,500 students attended last year, and this year, members have added more activities to cut down on some of the long lines.
“Some of the hands-on exhibits like candle dipping take a bit longer than other activities so there is usually a long line,” Ingalls explained. “So, we’ve added more help at those exhibits and then added more supplies like extra wooden stilts at the old fashion children games exhibit so that more kids get a chance to participate.”
Besides the hands-on activities, students can stroll through Olde Town filled with places like Old Tyme Jail, Farm Machinery Repair Shop, a migrant farm camp, Peaceful Knoll Church and a log cabin. The shingle mill, blacksmith shop and sawmill will be open and running as well.
“We began holding Farm History Day as part of our educational goal for the museum,” Ingalls explains. “There is no charge to attend because we wanted to give something back to the community for all the support it has given us.”
If you are interested in attending Farm History Day with a large group, the museum asks that you call 269-637-5077 or email michiganflywheelers@yahoo.com.
The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is located at 06285 68th St., South Haven, Michigan. It is open on Wednesdays and weekends from Memorial Day through the end of August as well as for special events. Tours are given by appointment. For more information, 269-639-2010, michiganflywheelers@yahoo.com, www.michiganflywheelers.org or Facebook.
