We had hardly made it through the entrance when my children became entranced by the running water in this little creek (ditch?). I don't think they really cared about the log cabins or anything else for that matter because they have such a strong fascination with water and getting wet.
Eventually I was able to drag them away from the water so they could participate in some of the hands-on activities of olden days...which happened to also involve water!
Rachel worked hard but had a lot of fun pumping water from the old fashioned pump.
Then she checked the plush chicken coop for some farm fresh eggs.
While Rachel was busy with the hens, Nicholas was checking out the little log cabin built as an Eagle Scout project. I'm proud of him for being so excited about scouting.
Being at Log Cabin Village is like stepping back in time to the Texas Pioneer era (1840-1890). Everyone who works on the property dresses in appropriate 19th century attire.
Everything looks old and rustic. It's so charming.
It's hard to imagine using some of these antique kitchen tools today with our fast paced society.
Rachel pretended to cook lunch for us on this old wood burning stove.
Then she checked out the old hearth out back.
Soup's on!
Next we visited the old one room schoolhouse. The kids loved ringing the school bell.
I loved the quaint little room. I felt like I was on Little House on the Prairie!
Next we visited the local carpenter in another cabin.
He showed us how the carpenters used manual tools to shape pieces that would eventually become pieces of furniture.
I loved watching the freshly cut wood shavings curl and pile up on the old cracked wooden floor of the cabin.
Then he showed us a vintage lathe.
The lathe was completely run with manual power through a foot pedal that he had to continuously pump.
He turned a piece of wood on the lathe as he made cuts into it. The kids really enjoyed watching the wood transformed.
We even got to see a dancing man made entirely out of wood.
So much incredible furniture, tools, and even toys were created with simple tools and manual power.
Next we watched a woman making candles. She explained that the wick would have been dipped into a tub of hot tallow until just a thin layer was created.
Then the candle would be allowed to cool on a rack and then it would be dipped and cooled over and over again until it had built up to the desired thickness.
I loved the herb garden and I was so proud that Rachel seemed to enjoy it too.
We stopped at the herb drying shed and took a little break.
Then we headed to the next cabin to learn about growing corn and making corn meal.
Log Cabin Village was such a charming place to visit. I've heard of it for years and can't believe I haven't visited more often. We have a Texas Nature Challenge here and I look forward to coming back here later to complete that mission.
Log Cabin Village is located at 2100 Log Cabin Village Ln. in Fort Worth. Their hours are Tue-Fri, 9-4, Sat & Sun, 1-5. They are closed Mondays. The admission costs $4.00 for ages 4-17 and 65 & over, $4.50 for ages 18 & over, free for ages 3 & under.
