After 60 years, Pioneer Day still celebrating local history

by Jenny Smith

The 60th annual Pioneer Day at the Waterloo Farm and Dewey School Museum welcomed visitors from across Michigan to its  journey through many years of the area’s history.

On the grounds at the centuries-old farm Sunday, Oct. 9,  visitors could mingle with 1680s trappers crossing the territory with LaSalle and see an Ojibwe camp. They also watched settlers from the 1770s settling down for a hearth-cooked meal and preparing flax for linen clothing. They met a Revolutionary War soldier on patrol, and toured encampments of Civil War soldiers.

A table of historical toys beckoned youngsters to play, as Dr. Bloodsworth (Thomas Bertrand) explained the rules and tricks to each piece. The percussive sounds of a nearby flint knapping pit attested to the popularity of fashioning arrowheads and stone tools.

Next door in the Swallowtail Pottery booth, volunteers demonstrated wheel throwing of their popular vessels. The blacksmiths were busy at the forge, and wood workers shared techniques for using the shaving horse and hand planes. Other demonstrations included hand quilting, corn shelling, beer brewing, broom making, basketry, and horology, or clock repair.

The sheep shearing drew a large and curious crowd. The 1890s hand-cranked mechanical shears were a sight to see, and made quick work of removing the summer fleece from fiber sheep Faethe and Faelan. Shearer Matt then demonstrated the wool box, used to package the fleece into tidy bales.

For those interested in the fiber arts, there were multiple opportunities to see many of the processes involved in turning fleece into clothing. Several spinners demonstrated the yarn-making process on wheels and spindles. Weavers were in attendance as well as lace tatters. The Spinner’s Flock fiber guild sold many products to crafters, from unprocessed fleeces and angora bunnies to intricately dyed yarns and even finished pieces.

Items available for purchase at the event ranged from gifts, produce, baked goods and more. Vendors sold wares such as pottery and jerky. The gift shop was stocked with historically inspired goods and memorabilia of the museum. The market wagon included produce from local residents, and the baked goods tent featured their culinary creations. The largest barn housed dried flower arrangements and wreaths for purchase, along with craft opportunities for the children. The ever-popular pulled pork sandwiches and bean soup were among the tasty concessions.

Woven through all the activity was the melody of musicians on porches and under arbors plucking away at banjos and guitars and singing merry songs. As the soft creaking of wagons drawn by heavy draft horses ferrying families on scenic rides passed by, they traced routes first blazed by Native Americans and followed by subsequent waves of explorers, trappers, traders, and eventually settlers to this region.

The voices of volunteer docents echoed through the farmhouse and Dewey School, reciting the Victorian experiences of the Realy family and others whose lives intersected on this land throughout time. For 60 years, volunteers have worked to preserve and share the story of our local history with the public. Won’t you join us?

The Waterloo Farm and Dewey School Museum is open seasonally for Friday and Saturday tours from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as well as for field trips and special events. The next public event is Christmas on the Farm, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Check out our Facebook page and waterloofarmmuseum.org for more information.

Shearer Matt uses his 130-year-old shearing machine to remove the summer fleece from a sheep during Pioneer Day. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

An Icelandic sheep takes a look at visitors to the 60th annual Pioneer Day. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

Horologist John Hanawalt demonstrates the repair of antique timepieces.
(Photo by Jenny Smith)

Civil War soldier reenactors explain historical items on display from the 1860s.
(Photo by Jenny Smith)

Dr. Bloodsworth (Thomas Bertrand) describes the rules and tricks for the historical toys in his display during Pioneer Day. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

Susan Dewey shares the history of the Ojibwe at the campsite. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

A team of horses returns from a scenic journey during Pioneer Day. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

Musician Eddie Josephs performed at Pioneer Day. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

Some of the colorful items and finished pieces for sale by the Spinner’s Flock fiber guild. (Photo by Jenny Smith)

This 9-year-old girl dressed for the time period as she visited Pioneer Day with her grandmother. The girl sewed her own outfit. (Photo by Mary Jo David)