WATERLOO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

PIONEER FARM AND ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOOLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSES TO THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM AND THE DEWEY SCHOOL MUSEUM. THE TRIP LASTS AN ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY. DURING THE TRIP THE STUDENTS GET THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HANDS ON ACTIVITIES ON A NINETEENTH CENTURY PIONEER FARM AND IN A ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE. THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CUTTING WOOD, FETCHING WATER, SHILLING CORN, DOING SCHOOL LESSONS, ETC. DURING THE YEAR THE PROGRAM SERVED CLOSE TO 1,660 CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THE DOCENTS FOR THE PROGRAM ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS. THE MONEY RAISED THROUGH THIS ACTIVITY IS USED TO MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE BOTH THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM AND THE DEWEY SCHOOL.

PIONEER DAY THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON THE SECOND SUNDAY IN OCTOBER. THE GROUNDS OF THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM COME ALIVE WITH A GREAT VARIETY OF DEMONSTRATORS SHOWING HOW FAMILIES LIVED AND WORKED DURING THE 1800'S. THE BLACKSMITHS, WEAVERS, SHEEP SHEARERS AND OTHERS DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS. THE FARM HOUSE IS OPEN FOR TOURS. THERE ARE VENDORS PRESENT DISPLAYING AND SELLING THEIR HAND CRAFTED WARES. THE GIFT SHOP IS OPEN. THERE IS ALSO A FLOWER BARN WHERE A GREAT VARIETY OF DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE PURCHASED. THERE IS A FARM WAGON WHERE DONATED FARM CROPS AND BAKED GOODS MAY BE PURCHASED. WAGON RIDES AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT ARE USED TO HELP MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE THE FARM MUSEUM AND DEWEY SCHOOL. ATTENDENCE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 3,000.