Colonial Days

We spent Saturday in Morrison, Colorado celebrating "Colonial Days."  A church had recreated a village from 1780.  They did an excellent job!  There were lots of original pieces on display and many hands on activities for the kids.

At the blacksmith they got to pump the billows to keep the fire going.  Then they watched the black smith heat a nail and pound it into a tiny sword.

My favorite place was at the weavers booth.  The ladies were spinning wool and making rag rugs on a loom.  They discussed the process the wool undergoes before it is ready for the loom.  We also learned about the many things used to dye the wool.  Beetles, spices, and plants, such as marigolds to name a few. 

After discussing the process of making and heating a kiln the ladies showed the kids how to bake bread. 

Kids were busy at the woodworking tent.  We all learned lots about the tools used in the late 1800's.  

 One of the young gentlemen working there made whistles for the kids. 

Each kid made their own candle.  They dipped it about 12 times in a animal fat/beeswax mixture. 

 Next to the village was a large field where we witnessed a battle reenactment.  I'll try to upload videos later, I tried earlier but kept receiving a message error.

The surgeon showed us how to apply a tourniquet and explained the amputation process. There was a table full of medical equipment.  It included a skull drill and tooth extractor.  Awesome!  (My second favorite display.)

The woman below specialized in medicines and natural remedies.

Soldier camp.  Learned how to load and fire the rifles.  :)  

The kids were good but I put them in the stocks anyway.

Two of the kids were pillow stuffers and the rest decided to be pillow testers. lol

I told Keith to look sad because he had to wash the laundry.   He actually enjoyed it.

Taking turns grinding the corn.

This was the hunters station.  Did you know that they use an animal brain mixture to soften the hides?  Now you do.

Old school education.

Writing with ink and quill.  It was harder than I thought it would be.