The Rebecca M. Arthurs Kids’ Summer Reading Group came to visit the Jefferson County History Center on July 21st and 22nd. Milea Reynolds, who runs the Summer Reading Program, brought thirty-some kids and their chaperones from kindergarten to middle school age for a tour of the History Center by Board member Ken Burkett and Executive Director Kat Lyons. The Bowdish crew also put on the Bowdish Model Railroad and Miniatures Show which enchanted the kids.
They had a blast in the KidSpace Gallery, which now has a colonial dress-up selfie station, colonial toys, games and educational interactive flip panels, such as “What Flag is This?” as well as a secret tunnel passageway.
They dressed up in colonial attire to have their pictures taken in front of our 250th Anniversary banner, designed by PennWestClarion Intern, Hannah Zacherl Navarro. Even though 200 centuries have passed, the kids figured out how to play with colonial toys – many of which remain with us today. The difference is the material used to make the toys. In colonial times: wood, bone, stones, buttons, stuffed cloth bags. A big hit was the secret tunnel, fitted with a black light and escape hatch that the kids could climb out of. Their shrieks of delight and smiling faces tell the story of their adventurous day at the museum!
