Hands on History returns to Brownsville Aug. 26

BROWNSVILLE — The Linn County Historical Museum will be will host its annual Hands on History event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, at Library Park adjacent to the museum on Park Avenue in Brownsville.

All of your favorites are back — beeswax candle dipping, cornhusk doll making, panning for gold, photos taken with an old-time camera, Belgian Draft Mules giving you wagon rides — to name just a handful.

A new treat will be an old-fashioned cake walk.  Also, the Oregon Trail Lacemakers will be here for you to try your hand at lacemaking, sharing space under the weeping willow with the wool carding and spinning. There will also be a focus on logging history this year.

Not only can you try your hand at using a crosscut saw, but we will also be hosting an Early Logging History display with items ranging from late 1800’s to 1940.

There is quite a line-up of both music and storytelling. The Strings of Antiquity will be playing pioneer transportation and travel Songs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., The Crazed Weasels with rollicking song, fiddle and banjo 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Truman Price and Music of the Oregon Trail from 1-2:30 p.m.

At 2:30 p.m. Gordon Munro will entertain with tails of the pioneers.

A special treat will be Kalapuya Elder, Esther Stutzman and her daughter and granddaughter back with Kalapuya stories, drumming and song in the adjacent Community Room with sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. presenting different stories each time.

Hands on History is a day with lots of character, loaded with fun. You will come away with life long lasting memories, it is a great time for young and old alike.

For more information contact the Linn County Historical Museum, 541-466-3390, lchm@co.linn.or.us.