The Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Societies have recently merged to become the Jackson County History Center, Inc. To celebrate this merger they are planning their inaugural Old Time Skills and Demonstrations display during the Brownstown Melonfest held on the courthouse square in Brownstown, Friday and Saturday, Sept 11 and 12. The center is located on the corner of Walnut and Sugar Streets, the northeast corner of the square which includes the Ball Museum.
The center is looking for Old Time crafters to come and set up and demonstrate their craft and if they want to, and have things they have made, they can sell them. We also are looking for just demonstrators of old time crafts (things necessary for living and keeping a home in the early days) this is someone that does not have anything to sell just demonstrate., ie: candle dipping, old time picture photographer, hatchet/axe carving, for the Livery Stable and Pioneer Village.
There is no charge for booth space and the center asks, if you if you have items for sale during the festival, to make a donation to the center that will help fund the construction of a new building to house all of their records and artifacts.
The century old Livery Stable was originally used as a stable and blacksmith shop while the Pioneer Village contains log buildings representing a jail, schoolhouse, and the Nenntrupp Trading Post that dates back to 1827 from Vallonia and is said to have been the first trading post in Jackson County.
The center is also looking for old time musicians, ie: folk songs,- fiddles, mandolins etc. The center is planning pony rides, old fashioned games, tomahawk throw and Pioneer type school days and church service in the schoolhouse. The center will also be holding its annual Bean Soup dinner Friday and Saturday in the Livery Stable.
The Brownstown MelonFest is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and features, crafters, food vendors, games, and music around the courthouse square.
The festival runs from noon Friday until approximately 10 p.m. Saturday with a large parade scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
For more information and an application for the History Center booth space contact Margo Brewer at 358-2924.
