LARGO - Grinding corn and washing clothes the old fashioned way are just two of the dozens of activities children can have fun doing while they explore Heritage Village this fall. Five programs showcasing Pinellas County's history are guaranteed to bring out children's pioneering spirits. Children must be registered in advance by calling (727) 582-2426. Pinellas County Historical Society members receive a discount when attending these program.
Preschool Village Ramblers will meet from 10 until 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. Little ones will take a morning walk through the Village and join living history interpreters in the everyday lives of an early Florida Homestead. Children will get hands-on fun by grinding corn, collecting eggs, tilling the garden and mending fishing nets. Two adults are admitted free with each child. The fee per program is $8 per child for members, $10 for non-members.
Wild, Wild Pinellas is for children ages 5 to 11 and their parents or grandparents. They will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays Sept. 16, Oct. 21 and Nov. 18. Children will learn what life was like when 1860s Pinellas was a wild frontier by spending the day with one of the area's most famous pioneers, Mrs. McMullen, at the Log Cabin. Two adults are admitted free with each child. The fee per program is $8 per child for members, $10 for non-members.
The Doodlebugs Club is a monthly two-hour event that gives children ages 5 to 11 a fun getaway to the past. The program series runs from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9. A themed program is offered that includes group living history activities, a tour, story time, a take-away craft and something to share and do at home. Spinning cotton, plowing a garden, a scavenger hunt, setting up a winter fruit stand and playing pioneer style games are part of this series. The four-program series cost s $30 per child for members, $40 for non-members.
Home School History Adventures is a unique series for home-schooled children ages 5 to 11. Two-hour themed programs are held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 21. Children will enjoy group living history activities, a tour, story time, a take-away craft and something to share and do at home. Program themes are: Pioneer Pathways; Seaside Scavenger; Juice, Jam and Southern Belles and Shady Daze. The four-program series cost is 30 per child for members, $40 for non-members.
Teen Program - Black Pot Cooking at the Pioneer Café will get teens ages 12 to 17 whipping up food just like the pioneers did back in their day. The program is so hot - it's cool. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, teens will be surprised at how they can use the great outdoors as their kitchen to make a scrumptious meal. They will learn how to cook over an open fire using techniques perfected by early settlers. The program fee is $25 per teen for members, $30 for non-members.
Pinellas County's Heritage Village brings county history to life in a 21-acre open-air historical setting with 28 vintage structures, hands-on living-history fun, interpretive tours, native plant trails, special events and festivals. To learn more, call (727) 582-2123 or check out www.pinellascounty.org/heritage.