Wood County Heritage Days will have a special attraction when they return Saturday and Sunday to the Wood
County Historical Center and Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
The annual weekend of interactive history offers free admission and free parking.
"This is a really neat event," stated Christie Raber, site director. "This year it’s going
to have a slightly different focus, so it’s particularly exciting."
She explained 2009 marks the 140th anniversary of the infirmary’s opening to the public. While the social
teas and curator series have already centered on the infirmary’s history, this year the planning
committee for Heritage Days decided to focus on "the fact this used to be a working poor
farm."
As a result, the demonstrations offered at Heritage Days will be chores which were done at the infirmary,
such as snapping and canning green beans, kneading bread dough, churning butter and doing laundry on a
washboard.
Raber said people can put on an apron and sit in a wooden chair to snap beans, matching a photo showing
infirmary residents doing the same thing. "We will have photos with each demonstration so children
understand why we’re recreating those chores, because they were done here."
She noted the demonstrations will complement the Power of Yesteryear tractor show on the east side of the
property.
The Power of Yesteryear Club Antique Farm and Tractor Show will feature both restored and nonrestored
tractors, as well as gas engines, toys and farm machinery. The show is accompanied by a kiddie tractor
pull both days at 2 p.m. (registration is at 1 p.m.), oil derrick and field demonstrations, blacksmiths
in action and a tractor parade.
In addition, the Civil War re-enactors will fry corn bread made from corn which is shelled and ground
right there so attendees can understand the process of food going from the field to the table.
Demonstrating their skills will be quilters, rope makers, spinners, knitters, chair caners and more.
There will also be live animals.
"I think it’s going to be really neat," said Raber. "Our agricultural heritage is becoming
an unknown thing for the next generation." She said when second graders on a tour of the center
visit the barn, "they’re just amazed."
"The purpose of this event is first and foremost education and to have a new appreciation for what
these people went through, and that’s why we do this every year," she said.
The annual barbecue Sunday, offered by Harlan’s, begins at 11 a.m. and is a fund-raiser for the Wood
County Historical Society to support educational programs at the center.
The Wood County Spirit Awards, honoring notable county residents, will be Sunday at 2 p.m.
Heritage Days will also feature live music, children’s games and activities. Live music will be offered
Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m. by the Root Cellar String Band (bluegrass) and from 3-4 p.m. by the Bowling
Green Area Community Band, highlighting Dr. Phil Cartwright on banjo. Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
will be the Bluegrass Quartet.
More information on the event can be found at www.woodcountyhistory.org or call Kelli Kling at (419)
352-0967.