|
(Above) Givens Mule Barn and a field of wheat conceal a nearby golf course and modern subdivions. An enclosure of elusive bison is across the path.
The serene pathways lead across a rustic bridge. Water flows underneath when the grist mill is operating. Photos: Dorri Alexander
|
Here in the Northeast we’re surrounded with history. Most homes and buildings are around 100 years old — or older. Our neighborhood is a good example of early suburban lifestyles.
But before the developers came, this area was wide open spaces. To see what life was like in the olden days, our family ventured a few miles north to the Shoal Creek Living History Museum in Hodge Park.
My goal during this outing was not to intentionally educate my children about history. Instead, the focus was about exploring — what would we find?
My two boys are years apart. One is nearly 13 and the other is three. There isn’t much we can do together where everybody is happy, but we can all walk.
At Shoal Creek, not only do you leave your car behind, but all the other distractions of modern life. Unbeknownst to my kids, it was a chance to get away from the television, computer and all the other electric gizmos in a serene, rural environment.
Still, it is a museum. Houses, buildings, cabins and barns were moved there to preserve them for future generations.
Having stood the test of time, they show us how our forefathers lived.
At the kiosk next to the flagpole we picked up a map. I put Andrew in charge of navigating us throughout the village, and he did a pretty good job. We did take a wrong/long way to one of the more secluded cabins, but it was very pleasant.
It was wooded and shady, the birds were in chorus, and we spotted a little cottontail, one of two we would encounter during our visit. We only figured out we were on the wrong path when we ended up in a parking area with a dumpster. But a quick turn through an open gate lead us right to the cabin we were seeking.
The buildings aren’t open to the public, but you can look into the windows and see the simple tables and chairs they used. Signs and the map explain about the building’s past and restoration.
Both boys were intrigued by the grist mill, which only operates during festivals. The cemetery gate, which closes on its own due to a weighted rock chain, was another favorite. Andrew commented that the pioneers were “quite ingenious.”
Other than walking and exploring, there aren’t many activities. There are horseshoe pits situated between the schoolhouse and the blacksmith barn. My husband tried his hand on one visit, but couldn’t get a ringer.
The kids wanted to ring the school bell, but we discovered the rope had broken off. So to ring the bell, we threw little pieces of gravel up into the bell. Sounds like something the ingenious schoolboys of yesteryear would have done.
There are little gardens to explore, and they have benches where you can sit down and enjoy the flowers and insects buzzing around. I was sitting in the herb garden behind the doctor’s office when I got a little spooked by something in the second floor window. Not a ghost, just a mannequin dressed in period clothing.
It is a bit of a ghost town; we were the only visitors most of the time during two separate visits. But we rather liked it that way, it was just that more serene.
To extend the visit and enjoy the serenity longer, pack a picnic lunch. Tables are scattered throughout the village for choices of sunny or shady locations. There are two drinking fountains, one is accessible for dogs, which are welcome on a leash. Modern restrooms are fitted into an original log cabin and handicap accessible.
The walking paths are gravel, and have taken a hit with all the heavy rains this year. Wheelchairs and strollers could have a hard time navigating in some spots.
Depending on the time of day during your visit, you may spot the small herd of bison in their large enclosure. We missed seeing them during two separate visits, but Andrew claimed he preferred bunnies to buffalo anyway.
