Heritage Pioneer Days 2019: hands-on fun, learning

Heritage Pioneer Days 2019 are set for Oct. 3, 4, & 5 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, doll making, churning butter, cross cut sawing and much more.

It was hard work, but someone really had to do it this way years ago.

Medals showing the City of New Albany seal and will be given to winners of this year’s pioneer Games on Saturday.

“This is our 18th 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. Pioneer Games Children’s Competition and live music will be part of the event. Children can win medals featuring the city seal in tow sack racing, egg and spoon racing, stick horse rodeos and more,” she said. Times of the Heritage Pioneer Days 2019 events 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.

Mitch Stone plays folk music for children visiting at last year’s event.

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 a few 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, pine straw weaving, spinning and weaving cloth and quilt making will help tell the story of the development of the art of basketry and textiles.

“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 offer Heritage Pioneer Days 2019 without them. And we still have slots available for volunteers. Call us at 662-538-0014. Find us on Facebook.

Pioneer Dorothy Denton demonstrates sewing on the treadle machine at last year’s event.

“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. This is a free event. Call 662-538 -0014 for more information. The museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street in New Albany,