Returning for its thirteenth summer, “Blast from the Past” will give kids ages 8-12 an opportunity to learn more about a wide variety of topics all tied to Marion history. Beginning on July 11, 2013 and continuing on each Thursday through August 1st, a group of Marion County Historical Society volunteers will make Heritage Hall and other area venues come alive with fun activities with an educational focus.
The theme of this year’s Blast is “True Stories from the Past.” On July 11th, participants will learn about “True Stories of the Civil War” with an emphasis on what life was like in Marion for the families whose sons and husbands were fighting in the Civil War. A visit with re-enactors, a tour of the Heritage Hall Civil War exhibit, and a scavenger hunt will complete the day’s activities.
Travel back 200 years to find out what it was like to live in early Marion on July 18th with “True Stories of Log House Living.” Participants will learn how to start a fire with flint and steel, cook over an open fire, weave and dye cloth to make clothes, and what life was like in a log house at MCHS’s log house on the Marion County Fairgrounds.
July 25h will find students learning about the history of communications as part of “Sharing Your True Stories”. People have used many ways to share information throughout the years including telegraph, telephone, postcards, letters, and lots more. The Buckeye Telephone Museum located in the CWA Community Center on Bellefontaine Avenue will host the activities.
“True Stories of Old Time Country School Fun” will be the final session on August 1st. Students will learn about “singing schools”, spelling bees, games, shaped note singing, and enjoy an ice cream social at the Linn School on Rt. 4 North.
Each session features a craft activity and a snack related to the topic of the day. In addition, this year’s participants will make an album filled with postcards, photographs, letters, and other neat items to become part of their personal “True Stories from the Past.”
“It’s all hands-on learning,” Blast coordinator Randy Winland said. “It gets the kids involved with finding out more about our past, not just sitting in a chair and listening to someone talk.”
Morning sessions will be held from 9:30-11:30 and afternoon sessions from 1:00-3:00.
All programs are free, but pre-registration is required. For more information, or to register, call Heritage Hall at 740-387-4255.
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