Just beyond the schoolhouse is the barn. We explored old fashioned tools, and barn purposes. Then we hit the laundry area... We were here for over 45 minutes, just doing the laundry. Yes my kids got soaked, but we hit the car to change our clothes before the carnival. I always have extra clothes in the car, which I rotate as the seasons change,... And their growing sizes!
The kids had small sized era- appropriate costumes to wear! They could walk a nearby "master gardeners" typical family food and health garden, growing their food in the traditional way, and their wellness herbs too!! Again city kids exploring survival on a whole new scale, cause you can't just run to the grocery store in those days.
We experienced an old post office, showing the methods of sorting and delivering mail. Need a job? How about the pony express? I loved explaining to my older son why being an orphan is referenced...
Outside the old post office was an ol' fashioned checks board on a tree stump.
Old washing tubs with plungers for rotation washed the rags with feldspar soap (which is still available in today's supermarkets!). Then rink out thru rollers into the rinse tub. For tough stains scrub on a waRsh board ;-) I lived when I heard "Mom, they have our drying racks" for air / line drying the laundered rags. Then there was a small ironing board to press the clothes after washing.
Not pictured here, my Younger son took too the outdoor style laundry tub - a large steel basin - and got in with his feet instead of using the rotating plungers.
As we left, we saw an outdoor kitchen with a grill and water kettle, boiled by a fire. A volunteer lady in costume rinsing the evening beans for tomorrow's meal - happy to explain her process.
We loved today's Pioneer town visit - this will be a must do for years to come! Off to the carnival, older son loved playing games, younger son too. It wasn't about winning, they knew that was nearly impossible. But older son promised our neighbor friend a prize from the carnival - which he reminded me about for days prior to Our Visit!!!
Make mistakes, breathe, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud
