Johnny Basset, nationally known collector of fine guns, shows Dorwin Degroote a .45 caliber handgun once owned by the famed Western actor of the 1940s, Lash Larue. The movie star had exceptional skill with a bullwhip and taught Harrison Ford how to use one for the Indiana Jones adventure movies.
by Alex R. Weddon
History came alive under deep blue Michigan skies Oct. 13 during the Waterloo Farm Museum’s annual Pioneer Day. The unique look at a time gone by drew hundreds of guests who strolled the farm grounds and nearby Dewey School.
“This is as big a crowd as any I can remember,” said Ron Kaiser, longtime member, volunteer and past board member of the Waterloo Area Historical Society.
Civil War re-enactors were part of the multitude of participants demonstrating crafts and lifestyles from the 1800s.
Visitors could see a pioneer farm community that included tours of the farmhouse, a doctor’s office, a beer maker, a fur traders’ camp and many other aspects of the life of our self-reliant ancestors.
The multigenerational crowd also enjoyed food prepared using vintage recipes and listened to the music of yesteryear performed with instruments rarely seen at today’s electronic concerts.
The event offered a trip back in time that often prompted parents to say “I remember…” to their youngsters. In so doing, history was repeated and passed on to another generation. No wonder the hardworking volunteers were smiling, because creating a family friendly museum that encourages historical connections is what they are all about.
The Waterloo Farm Museum is located at 13493 Waterloo-Munith Road. For more information on the museum and Dewey School, see
www.waterloofarmmuseum.org.
Grand Rapids film maker Aaron Russman collected footage for a documentary he is crafting about the museum. He recently completed a feature film “The Denny Dooley Story” a fictional story of a 1960s and 70s musician that used the museums grounds and buildings in many of the shots.
Ruth Schloss and brother Simon take a closer look at hand-spun wool and fabrics offered by Mary Minney of Monroe.
Bob Zick of Grass Lake looks on as Lucy Spreeman cranks away to shuck corn kernels from the cob. Lotus Hall is on her right and Molly Spreeman on her left.
Volunteer Sally Long of Stockbridge offers a sample of vintage recipe bean soup to Chelsea native Rob Polens.
Therese Upshur, left, looks on as (L-R) Mitchell, Madeline and Mary Topping learn about skulls, bones and fashion of the pioneers.
