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Darke County Parks
Prairie Days
Log House and Blacksmith Shop
Prairie Days will be a flurry of activity at the log house and
blacksmith shop at Shawnee Prairie Preserve. Not only will they both be
open, as they are almost every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm, but they also
will both be housing all kinds of demonstrations. The log house was
built from 2003 to 2006 and is based on a turn of the 19th century log
home. It opened at the 2006 Prairie Days which makes 2016 the 11th
anniversary of the log house at the festival. It was then and still is
a work in progress as it grows in volunteers and items donated every
year to support the specific theme and time period. At Prairie Days
this year, the log house will feature many historic trade
demonstrations.
The blacksmith shop opened in 2013 and features a working forge,
bellows, and tool display accommodating almost any project a blacksmith
had to tackle. Like the log house, community support played a huge role
in its inception. It was built with volunteer labor and donated logs,
and the tools, benches, and bellows all were provided through
donations. A blacksmith was essential to any community as he made
everything from the heaviest axle and tire to the smallest rivet in a
wagon. From the weather vane to the butcher knife, the blacksmith
touched almost every aspect of life. Volunteers will be working in the
blacksmith shop throughout the weekend, and visitors will see all types
of skills demonstrated and observe useful everyday items like “S” hooks
and sticks and tommy forged. Follow the sound of hammers ringing to
learn more about one of the most essential trades for hundreds of
years.
Come explore all these demonstrations, talk with the historical
interpreters, and enjoy all the other fun, educational, and family
friendly activities at the 2016 Prairie Days festival, September 24th
from 10am to 5pm and September 25th from 12pm to 5pm. The event has
plenty of free parking and free admission. For questions or more
information, call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165.
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