This Week at Crossroads, “Celebrate Porches” at The Historical Village
Posted on 23. May, 2010 by Coggin Heeringa in Heritage
The Door County Historical Society created the Historical Village at Crossroads to give families, school groups and visitors the experience of living like pioneer settlers and sharing in the simple community life.
Now, we have a new porch at Crossroads at Big Creek. It is attached to the most recently acquired (we can’t really say “new”) log cabin in the Historical Village at Crossroads.
Beginning May 30, free special events of the historical period will be offered every Sunday from 1:30 – 3:30 pm throughout the summer and fall. And the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, we “Celebrate Porches.”
We are celebrating our new porch on the Schopf House, but we also are interpreting Door County history. Around the turn of the last century, people would have celebrated Memorial Day. While its origins are murky, apparently the holiday started in 1868 (or perhaps before.) Called Decoration Day, it began as a day set aside to decorate the graves of Civil War dead. The holiday weekend became the traditional beginning of summer.
At the turn of the last century, long before the advent of air-conditioning, summer meant moving out of the confines of the house. Rather than heat up an already sweltering house with a cook stove, many homemakers moved their food preparation and canning efforts to a summer kitchen, either attached to or near the home.
Lucky families also might have a porch and what a wonderful place that was. Much cooler than inside, the porch was a fine place to churn butter, snap beans or do the mending. On rainy days, children could gather on the porch to play marbles, cat’s cradle, Jacob’s ladder or perhaps curl up with a good book or cut paper dolls. And in the evenings, the adults could gather on the porch to tell stories, visit with neighbors and watch the children catch fireflies or play kick the can.
The porch of a general store was an important place in the community. In some Door County villages, the general store was the waiting room for the stage or cruise ships which brought tourists to the county. Almost every general store was also a communication center. Locals would gather to discuss the local news, debate politics and just plain gossip… and oh yes, pick up a few supplies.
During “Celebrate Porches” costumed members of the Door County Historical Society will be stationed at the porches of the village buildings. Our historical roof specialist, Steve Reed, will be on hand to demonstrate how cedar shingles are installed. The whole family will enjoy stepping back into the past on this season opening of The Historical Village.
During the holiday weekend, the Collins Learning Center will be closed to the public on Friday and Saturday as Crossroads participates in the Door County Festival of Nature. Several programs (including a marvelous family program with UW-Green Bay’s spider expert, Mike Draney) will be held at Crossroads.
As a part of the Festival of Nature, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will open the Leif Everson Observatory for an evening of Night Sky Viewing on Saturday, May 28, at 9 pm. The public is welcome to this free activity, whether or not enrolled in the Festival.
On June 1, the astronomical society will hold their June meeting at the Ray and Ruthie Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Dr. John Beck will present the program “Stardust”. It’s free, includes refreshments and is open to the public. Please use the Utah Street Crossroads to reach the Astronomy Campus.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. Trails are open to the public, pets (on leash and under control) are permitted. The Collins Learning Center is open daily 2:00-5:00, but the facilities will be reserved for the Door County Festival of Nature on May 28 and 29. For information, call 920.746.5895.
Saturday, May 28, 9:00
Night Sky Viewing at the Leif Everson Observatory
Members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society invite the community to a viewing experience in the StarGarden. DPAS members will be on hand to help you explore the night sky. Free. This program will NOT be held if skies are cloudy.
Sunday, May 30, 1:30-3:30
Historical Village at The Crossroads: “Celebrate Porches”
The Door County Historical Society opens the season of Sunday afternoon events with program celebrating porches, starting with our new porch on the Schopf House.. Costumed members of the Historical Society will give porch programs and guest presenter Steve Reed will present demonstrations with shingles. Great for the family.Free.
Tuesday, June 1, 7:00
Lecture: “StarDust”
The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will hold their June meeting at the Ray and Ruthie Stonecipher Astronomy Center. Dr. John Beck will present the program “Stardust” Refreshments. Free and open to the public. Please use the Utah Street Crossroads to reach the Astronomy Campus.
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