The Saline County Museum will come alive Sunday, Sept. 13, as blacksmiths, quilters, cooks, car enthusiasts and other volunteers showcase the skills and traditions of the past during the museum’s fifth annual Living History Day.
The free, family-friendly event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature a variety of interactive and hands-on demonstrations. Visitors can watch a blacksmith at work, learn about quilting and pioneer cooking, make pastry brushes and corn husk dolls and visit a petting zoo.
Model A cars will also be on display, and American Legion and Girl Scout troops will participate in the event. Food and homemade ice cream will also be available.
The museum volunteers spend much of the year planning the event. In the past, there have been around 200 people tin attendance.
Doris Koll, who has volunteered at the museum for five years, said she was drawn to the museum because of the opportunity to share its history with younger generations.
“Ever since I walked in that first day, I just started walking around and thought, ‘This is cool. This is stuff my parents and grandparents used.’ I just thought it was so neat,” Koll said.
She said the event is a good opportunity for children and families to learn how everyday tasks were done in the past.
“It’s fun to bring the kids and grandkids here,” Koll said. “They don’t know what this stuff is. So it is neat to show them and explain how they used to do things.”
Koll said field trip days are among her favorite times at the museum.
Connie Strouf, a retired fourth-grade teacher from Wilber and long-time museum volunteer, said education is what drew her to volunteering.
“My draw is education,” Strouf said. “I taught for about 40 years, so this just fits.”
The Saline County Museum is entirely operated by volunteers and donations. Volunteers select which items are displayed and how they are presented. Because the museum has received several generous donations over the years, volunteers carefully evaluate new items to determine whether they are a good fit for the collection.
Displays are also regularly changed, giving visitors something new to see each time they visit.
The museum typically welcomes 2,000 to 3,000 visitors each year and is always looking for additional volunteers. Those interested in getting involved can stop by the museum to learn more.
The Saline County Museum is open 1 – 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from May through October. From November through April, it is open from 1 – 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.
