Cabin Day Program Brings History to Life

Kinton Thakur may be a 10-year-old boy in 2011, but he loves going back in history and pretending he lived in the 1800s.

Kinton and his mother, Kelly, both of West Deer, were recent participants in Cabin Day at the Depreciation Lands Museum, just off Route 8 south of Richland Township.

Cabin Day is a new program offered at the museum to introduce families to life back in the time of the early settlers, according to Robbie Seibert, site director.

“It is the chance for adults and children both to spend a day living just like they did. We make fire from flint and steel, prepare a midday meal, make a craft – it is just a great day,” said Seibert.

The Thakurs agree.

“Kinton loved making the fire and I just loved the lucet,” said Kelly Thakur. The lucet craft is a type of cord-making, a craft practiced by many settlers in the 1800s, according to Seibert.

As part of the experience of the day, Seibert chooses an “enduring craft,” one that families can take home and continue working on.

“Not just some sort of paper craft that they throw away in a few weeks, but one that they can use for other things,” she said.

The hands-on craft is just one of the things that Seibert hopes the families take away with them.

“That is why we do everything (with them), instead of having them watch a demonstration,” she explained. “They actually cut the wood and make the fires, prepare the food; it is just great fun.”

The program runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month and the participants spend a good part of the day at the Armstrong Cabin at the museum.

The small cabin, built in 1803, is where the Armstrong family raised 10 children.

“We use the fireplace and there is a dining table in there. It is perfect for our activities,” said Seibert.

Seibert has period costume pieces such as hats and aprons that participants are encouraged to wear. She has her own period costume, and Kinton, who has participated in other programming at the museum, has his own as well.

“He went to Pioneer Days there and is just so interested in history, that we got him one,” said Kelly.

Seibert limits the group to 12 so that everyone gets the opportunity to have a real hands-on, participatory experience – and because of the table size.

“We couldn’t fit any more around the dining table,” she joked.

They prepare a midday meal, which used to be the largest meal of the day, she said, and includes offerings such as the menu of beef stew, bread, baked apples, butter, and whipped cream that the Thakurs’ group prepared.

“I’d like to actually have the kids dig up some potatoes and carrots from our garden for the next day,” said Seibert.

While she is leading most of the days right now, Seibert hopes some of the will also come in to teach the craft portions of the day and share other duties.

“This takes a lot of work and preparation, but it is really so much fun,” said Seibert.

It is obvious she passes her enthusiasm on to the participants.

“There is so much I could say about the day; we enjoyed it so much,” said Thakur. “But I love the fact that it  brings history to life for Kinton. You can see it, feel it and taste it – she makes learning history fun.”

Cabin Days are open to the public. Those interested may register at the Depreciation Lands Museum website or by calling 412-486-0563. The museum is located at 4743 South Pioneer Road in Allison Park.

The museum also will be hosting a Tavern Night on Sept. 17 and feature an 18th century tavern atmosphere with grog, ciders, ale and tavern food, including roasted pork, corn and all the fixings, plus entertainment, for $25 per person.

The “Hydref” fall festival will be held Oct. 1; it includes food, crafts, games and more. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children 12 and under.