The area we live in is so full of history. We love to take advantage of any activities that are put on by the National Parks. The Oconoluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains puts on a mountain life festival every year at their Mountain Farm Museum. Since we moved to the mountains 6 1/2 years ago, we have made a diligent effort to come to the festival and to support the park. At the festival, they have volunteers dressed in late 1800’s clothing. They are at various areas of the farm, talking and demonstrating certain jobs they had to do around the farm.
The area my kids enjoyed the most though was the Toys booth. The volunteer had many items that children played with in the 1800’s in the mountains. Below, you will see my daughter taking a turn with the dancing man.
Here, my younger children were playing with the tops. Their dad was showing them how to spin the tops.
I love this old cabin. Inside it has two rooms with a kitchen attached on the back. It also has an attic that the family used as well. They had women volunteers cooking in the kitchen over a fire in the fireplace.
This picture came from the Oconoluftee Visitor Center. It was a little saying by a gentelman who actually lived in the Great Smokies. I must say, I agree with him 100%. When I visit the Great Smokies, I think about how God created this beautiful area.
These gentleman were showing people how brooms were made.
This is the Apple Barn. The families would store the apples in here as they picked them They would then make applesauce, apple butter and would even dry apples for apple pies.
I love taking my family here. It is a living history and they kids learn so much. Fields trips like this to National Parks do not cost much. Every National Park I am aware of has a Junior Ranger program that the kids can take part in. They are able to earn badges when they complete the activities in a book that you can purchase from the visitor centers. Check around your area and see what you can find!
If you would like, you can look at the rest of our pictures from the Mountain Life Fesitval by clicking on the picture below.
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| mountain farm festival 2011 |
