Museum to present living history during its annual Heritage Days

Annual Heritage Days set Oct. 19, 20, & 21

Living history, live music and BBQ

For more than 20 years the Union County Heritage Museum has celebrated the history of Union County with a living history event known as Heritage Pioneer & Folklife Days. It’s that time again when it’s hands- on history, Oct. 19, 20 & 21.

Textile Artist Jeanette Stone will demonstrate natural dyes, spinning and weaving. Photo:UCHM

“Our wonderful volunteers are ready to demonstrate the many traditions, creativity and crafts that were alive and well during the days of settlement and afterwards in our communities. There will be blacksmith demonstrations, weaving, quilting, rug making, toy making, storytelling and much more,” said Jill Smith, Museum Director. Visitors will also have a chance to try the annual staples of sassafras tea and boiled peanuts.

Thursday and Friday are set aside for classes, and Saturday is Family Day. There are a lot of hands-on opportunities for students to learn how things were done, when life was more dependent on physical skills and physical labor.

The annual games and contests are set to begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. Kids have a chance to compete in old fashioned games, including corn shelling contests, egg and spoon races, cross cut saw contests and more.

Live music and BBQ are also part of the event. On Saturday the restored Tackett’s BBQ Hut will open with Jason Manning’s BBQ plates available from 11 – 1 p.m. Available will be pulled pork – $10, brisket and ribs – $12 with drinks.

Blue Mountain professor and blacksmith Michael Meglesh will demonstrate blacksmithing at the museum shop during heritage days. Photo: UCHM

Live music will be a part of the Saturday event with Hill Country musicians Mike King and Bob Piezyck playing at 10 – 11, and Barnes & Harris from Tammy Wynette Legacy Center playing at 11-12 at the stage at the Crossing on the Green Park beside the museum.

The Exhibit “Crossroads of the Heart” opens during the event. It reflects the time in the region’s history when people had to make whatever they needed. It also shows how that has changed into the creativity and tradition of the area with the handmade object.

Sawing logs, pioneer style, at the Union Co. Heritage Museum Pioneer Days 2008.

This is a free event supported by the Mississippi Arts Commission and Visit Mississippi as well as the museum’s Community Partners. The museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street in New Albany. For more information call 662-538-0014, follow us on Facebook.

Jill Smith, Director
Union County Heritage Museum
114 Cleveland Street
New Albany,MS 38652