This photo was taken in the United Brethren Church in the African-American Area of OWWi. The unique thing about this church is that blacks and whites worshiped and learned side-by-side and the difference in the color of skin wasn't an issue. This was our first stop. We boarded the tram and as the driver approached each stop sign he sort of looked up and then continued on. At one point, I had to ask if we got an overview before he started letting us off. He sort of chuckled and told me to pipe up and let him know we wanted off. I had to laugh at the situation but in the end - glad we got as far as we did for our first stop - we didn't make it through half of OWWi - For my family, this museum is a two-day trip! The kids were at the cemetery out back and lightning lit up the sky. We ran back into the church to don our on-the-fly purchase of disposable ponchos. It was a very soggy day!
We spent a lot of time at the Koepsell Farm. Here Joshua is grinding rye seed, if I got that right, into a fine powder for use in baking bread. It is a very slow process! Not much is produced quickly!
This is the back of the Koepsell home. The family was from Pomerania and Mr. Keopsell built the home much like those that would've been seen in his homeland. Most didn't use brick between the beams because it was more expensive but he was a little bit more well-off. His home was also like a spec home today - though the family lived there, other's could come and see his workmanship and contract him for building their homes.
Below Joshua and Tyler are making - kind of like 'nails' but on a much grander scale. The guy was very informative and knowledgeable and used the proper words which are not English. So, remembering all the details and names of the tools has left me. But, it was a fun experience for the kids - and me, too.
Ha! Using a manual drill - not very easy!
Imagine the muscles they must've had back then!!!
Below, the boys are making kindling.
Joshua is sifting the rye powder from the cracked seeds. And, here I thought the only purpose of a sifter was to make the flour fluffy. LOL!
Before we left the hotel the rain started coming down so hard I actually had to call OWWi and make sure they were still open. I honestly contemplated finding something else to do in the area since we drove over 3 hours to visit. I'm so glad we went anyway. It was wet but we were one of about 3 families to brave the weather on this day. There might've been more families but we didn't run into them. And, because there were so few people we were able to monopolize the interpreter's time. I am very proud of my kids because unlike other's they will ask questions and completely engage with the interpreter. That is why we were there for the whole day and only visited half the museum. Their questions are thoughtful and I can see the wheels spinning and as they contemplate the information they're receiving they form new questions. My kids sometimes amaze me!
The gardens are historically accurate but on a much smaller scale. They do cook with the food that comes from the gardens, too!
Which is another thing that interests me about this place...they actually cook using the food and methods available during the time period they are representing. It was neat to see so many of these old stoves in operation (OMG _ and the smell!!! The food smelled so good! I totally would've loved to just sit down and have some sausage, noodles, rye bread, tomato based sauces, soups, and potatoes, and even the beets - oh my!) Because of FDA regulations they can't feed the public out of the houses but I did inquire - and yes, they do sometimes eat the food they make. I just really hope not too much goes to waste. If they don't eat it all, I hope they share with the animals!
Love the dry sinks!
This is the blacksmiths shop. The blacksmith would make just about anything anyone needed - candle holders to hinges. With the industrial revolution where things began to be manufactured they weren't quite as necessary - especially since you could get what you needed at the general store or order from Sears Roebuck and Co. (and apparently, it didn't matter where you lived - they'd get it to you!) However, blacksmiths weren't put out of business - their role simply changed. They became the person you went to for horseshoes and horseshoe repairs, or a farrier.
Another thing we learned, something kind of often overlooked, is that during the Civil War blacksmiths were paid as well as a lieutenant. They were sort of the first contract worker. And, if you think about it - their skills were absolutely necessary!
Here is Joshua in the General Store. This was a neat place with actual products in barrels to inspect. For example - coffee beans that one would purchase, then roast, and grind. Corn meal, rice, flour, etc.
The Four Mile Inn, after the stage coach era, became a place where those coming into town for goods could stop by for a tea and a chat. Or, the men could have a (non-alcoholic) beverage (in a separate room from the ladies, of course!). Instead of letting rooms for the night the female owner of the Inn simply rented a room to a widow and her child for a long period of time. But, one could still get a meal if they so desired.
Joshua and Tyler enlisted! The guy from the Civil War was so informative and the boys spent more than an hour talking with him and learning things. One thing I learned is that the material, wool, for uniforms and blankets - was NOT - thick and heavy as you mostly come across in most museums and reenactments. It's actually quite thin and he explained why but I can't remember. I felt it and it seemed less itchy than the thick stuff used to replicate the actual pieces. Not that it wasn't itchy, or scratchy, it was kind of softer - I learned there's pectin in it. I wish I could written all this down and taken notes - but that would've just been weird. LOL!
The boys got instruction on maneuvers and commands for holding muskets and the different types of holds and commands. Then, they got to practice as he'd call them out. They did well - and loved it! Definitely not something they have experienced at any other historical museum we've been to.
Joshua took advantage of the ability to be able to put on all the attire. Tyler would've if we'd had more time. Both of those boys have always loved dressing up and pretending. I love that about them. Joshua put on everything! Even the 40 lb sack on his back! And, the guy said no one ever really dresses up all the way so he had to snap a picture himself - and allowed Joshua to pose with a real musket!! :) He loved that!
The pants may be a little long. LOL! How adorable!
In the town hall they had all sorts of games and activities kids back in the 1800's might've enjoyed. Frankly, I think my kids would've had more fun growing up with toys like these than anything made of plastic. I am so mesmerized by the Jacobs Ladder toy. But, first, they got to experience using Morse Code!
The ORIGINAL Game of Life! It including things like 'suicide' and 'prison!'
So, this is how elections were done - there was simply a card for each candidate. You'd pick a card, fold it up and put it in the jar. The candidate with the most cards in his respective jar - won. There are probably too many people now-a-days for that to be an efficient or even accurate way to tally votes!
Oh yea - Justin whooped up on me. I do not have the patience to checkers! LOL!
The first pin ball!
Tap dancing man!
Selfie - 'cause I'm always behind the camera and never in front unless I take the shot myself. I loved the view! Eagle, WI is a very pretty place!
Clausing Barn - the café is on the bottom and quite quaint. The flowers are lovely and also reminiscent of the era's represented at OWWI.
So, we ended the day at the Clausing Barn Café - a fairly expensive meal - but actually quite good. It was a pleasant end to a great day that started off with a very uncertain future!
Now, like I said, my kids engage a lot. Whenever we go to a museum - we all READ the plaques, etc. We can spend hours at a museum and often I'm left waiting on the kids. I have done something right here, I can toot my own horn a little bit. But, that means that a one day trip for most - is more like a two-day trip for us. There were 24 points of interest - and made 8 of them. I could choose to feel frustrated but watching my kids interact and ask questions intrigued me and I took complete joy in it!
My kids, who can be rather selfish and often inconsiderate of others because they want to do what they want to do (which doesn't normally include visiting historical places, typical kids), insisted we have to go back. They thanked me a few times on our 3 hour trip home for the excursion and I can't even begin to express how happy that makes me.
So, yes - we do intend to go back and may make a whole weekend of it!
