17th Annual Heritage Pioneer Days coming to museum

Heritage Pioneer Days 2018 are set for Oct. 18, 19, and 20 at the Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany. This event is an opportunity for visitors to experience history in hands-on ways, such as grinding corn, making cider, doll making, churning butter, cross-cut sawing and much more.

Union County Heritage Museum

“This is our 17th year for Heritage Pioneer Days,” said museum director, Jill Smith. “We, with the help of our Community Partners and volunteers, offer students and visitors the opportunity to experience what life was like in the past, and to let them have hands-on history experience. This helps museum visitors appreciate the work and play of our ancestors. This year we are adding Storytelling and a Magic Show on Saturday, which will complement the Pioneer Games Children’s Competition and live music,” she said. Times of the event are 9 a.m. till 2 on Friday and 9 a.m. till 2:30 on Saturday. Thursday is for children and adults with special needs and the time is 9 a.m. till 12 noon.

Wash day at Pioneer Days.

Story teller Becky Robinson from Tennessee will bring to life Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves, who was the first black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. During his long career, he was credited with arresting more than 3,000 felons. “We are looking forward to hearing her story and actually meeting him!” Smith said.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox Magic Show will be part of Saturday’s festivities beginning at 9:30. Storytelling will begin at 10:15, and Pioneer Games will begin at 10:30, on Saturday.

Shucking corn at Pioneer Days.

Student day is Friday, and there are still slots available for classes to schedule times to come, she said. “The schedule is getting full, but we still have some places left.” Students will get to churn butter, milk the cow, shell corn, wash clothes on a rub board, sample sassafras tea, learn about quilt making, taste boiled peanuts, learn about plants in the garden and how they were used, learn about trapping animals, enjoy pioneer games and more.

Basket making, spinning and weaving cloth and quilt making will help tell the story of the development of the art of basketry and textiles.

Spinning and weaving

“We are grateful for the volunteers from the community and Blue Mountain College History Department and Tombigbee Pioneers who help with this event. We could not do this without them. And we still have slots available for volunteers. Call us at 662-538-0014. Find us on Facebook.

“Take a journey into the past lane and join us for free boiled peanuts, sassafras tea and a lot of fun,” Smith said. The Museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street in New Albany.

For more photos and information on Heritage Pioneer Days: http://ucheritagemuseum.com/pioneer-days-2/