By Robin Mayes, Farm Educator
One of the biggest challenges we have at Gallant Farm is helping kids to understand the concept of history. Different time periods seem to just boil down to “old and new” with youngsters. Even the parents of some youngsters are not familiar with the differences between farming in the 20th-century and the true “pioneer days” of the nineteenth century, let alone the “frontier times” of the 1700’s here in Ohio.
When welcoming a large group of second graders to the farm one day, I explained, “Here we pretend we live back in the 1930’s.” “Does anyone know anything about the 1930’s?” I asked.
The hand of one young man shot up immediately. “It is when everything was still just black and white,” he said proudly.
The days have gone when every family had a grandparent or great-grandparent who had lived through the Great Depression or even World War Two.
Those older ones today who do feel compelled to talk about the “Good Ol’ Days” are hard-pressed to compete for the attention of young ones in their care. Their devices hold all the appeal it seems.
That is what makes living history sites even more important today than they were when many of them came into being in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. As history and social studies take a backseat to science and math in school, caregivers can take up the slack by taking advantage of some wonderful historical sites close to home.
To immerse yourself in the late 1800’s, Slate Run Metro Park and Farm in Canal Winchester never disappoints. Carriage Hill MetroPark and Farm in the Dayton area is another great destination.
Coming forward in time, Wood County Park District operates Carter Historic Farm. There, staff interprets the Depression-era like our focus here at Gallant Farm.
The month of April is always busy on a farm and this year is no exception. In addition to garden and crop field prep, we have lambs and will have new chicks soon.
In addition to the regular farm sights, we have a “mystery” to be solved all month long. A fun look at a 1930’s caper we are calling the “Great Wool Heist.” Bring your young detectives out in April and see if they can crack the case!
If you are looking to do some “time traveling” further afield, an online search can turn up any number of interesting historic destinations within a short drive. We hope to see you soon at Gallant Farm. Stop by Wednesday – Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
