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 Most
school age children could not imagine life without their TV, computer,
VCR, DVD or video games. They are not familiar with the type of living
that our forefathers experienced before the invention of these
electronic “needs”.
To familiarize young people with the
lifestyles of earlier pioneers, the Pioneer Settlement For The Creative
Arts was created in Barberville, which is east of Ocala on State Route
40. This is a non-profit corporation that is dedicated to the research,
education and preservation of the activities and lifestyles of our
forefathers. Each year, over 24,000 school children have the opportunity
to become involved in several activities that show how our ancestors
lived their daily lives. It is estimated that about 40,000 other
visitors each year come to explore the buildings in the settlement and
to experience some of the activities. A schoolteacher and a clerk
specialist are assigned to the settlement by the Volusia County School
Board to coordinate the educational programs. The center provides a site
for the historic buildings and cares for hundreds of artifacts from the
past.
 There
are approximately 20 preserved buildings in the settlement. The Central
High School of Barberville was built in 1919 and was used for all grades
until the last senior class of four students graduated in 1940. This
building is now part of the museum and is listed on the National
Register. The Astor Bridge House is one of few existing bridge tender’s
homes in Florida. The Turpentine Still was built in 1924 and is the only
turpentine still open to the public. The Lewis Log Cabin was built in
1875 in Georgia, and it was dismantled and reconstructed on the grounds
in the mid 90s. Other preserved buildings include the Blacksmith Shop,
the Country Store, the Railroad Depot, the Huntington Post Office, and
the Carriage House, which is used to protect and restore the center’s
wagons and buggies.
One of the latest additions to the museum is
the Timucuan Canoe, which is a 600-800 year old 10-man dugout canoe.
This canoe was carved from a single cypress tree with the “burn and
scrape” method, a technique used by the Timucuan Indians.
As you are guided through the preserved
buildings, you cannot help but feel that you are one of the residents of
an early pioneer town. Personnel dressed as pioneers demonstrate various
skills used by the early settlers. Visitors can try their hand at candle
dipping, paper making, quilting, basket weaving, wood carving, rope
making, and broom making. Skills that our forefathers had to learn just
to survive. The museum alone has hundreds of items that were everyday
tools used in the home or farm to complete daily tasks.
 Special
events are planned throughout the year in addition to the daily tours.
For example, on October 4th, the Saturday Harvest Time Celebration is a
gathering of churches in the neighboring communities to bring gospel
singing and handmade items to the settlement. On November 1-2, the 26th
Annual Fall Country Jamboree will include over 100 demonstrating
artisans and craftsmen, as well as antique autos, model railroad
activities, tool collectors, and continuous musical entertainment on
five stages. In December, a special “Christmas Remembered” activity will
highlight memories of Christmas past, with hands-on workshops,
demonstrations, food and other entertainment.
To experience the way our forefathers lived
before computers, TVs, VCRs, and fast food, a visit to the Pioneer
Settlement is a must. To get more information, go to
http://www.echotourism.com/cultural.pioneer on your computer.
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