Monday, October 25, 2010

Merinda's Field Trip

Merinda's first field trip of the year was to Fort Boonesborough, located in North-Eastern KY. Fort Boonesborough has been reconstructed as a working fort complete with cabins, blockhouses, and all the furnishings. Resident artisans perform craft demonstrations and give modern-day visitors a true sense of what life was like for pioneers in Kentucky.
The Fort is a fun place to visit because it is truly like stepping back into time. Here, Merinda is looking at dolls, and playing with wooden toys that were popular in the late 1700's.
Merinda also learned about dipping candles, old-time medicine and herbs, things that are made at a blacksmith's shop, how thread was spun from cotton or wool using a spinning wheel, and how looms were used in weaving rugs and clothing.
But the highlight was a reenactment of the battle at Fort Boonesborough. Fort Boonesborough is now a State Park but many years ago Daniel Boone and his men reached the Kentucky River April 1, 1775, hoping to establish Kentucky's second settlement.

In the autumn of 1778 a large force of Indians attacked and laid siege to Boonesborough. For nine days and nights the Indians surrounded the fort.
The defenders held out and the Indians abandoned the siege. Soon Boonesborough became a center of pioneer life on the Kentucky frontier.

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