July 14, 2008

Take a stroll through Michigan history at Walker Tavern Historic Site's newest event, "Walk Thru Time," on July 19 and 20. As visitors walk along the timeline, they will encounter historical re-enactors portraying daily life and historical events of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and hands-on activities will bring history to life for young and old alike. Visitors may learn old-time skills such as starting a fire using flint and steel, throwing a tomahawk with accuracy, or dancing a waltz, polka or schottische.

Hours for The Walker Walk Thru Time are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.

The timeline stretches from the Mohawk Militia of the mid-1700s to a 1950s sock hop and from Revolutionary War Redcoats to U.S., Soviet and German troops from World War II. Highlights of the two-day event include a sneak peak at the original stagecoach-era play "A Wild Time at Walker Tavern," a concert by a Civil War-era brass band, the Dodworth Saxhorn Band, and a pie auction and bake sale to raise funds for the Visitors Center renovation.

Other highlights of the weekend include military drills, jug band music from the turn of the 20th century, pioneer cooking demonstrations and a Sunday farmers market. Author Audrey Woods will discuss the Irish Hills in the 1920s-1940s and autograph copies of her book, Cambridge Heritage. People can get lunch or a snack at the Biscuit Babes' 1950s-style diner (serving hamburgers, hand-cut French fries and root-beer floats) and learn dances of the 50s at the nearby sock hop.

Re-enacting participants include The Mohawk Militia (1740-1760); the 47th Regiment of Foot (British Redcoats); La Croix Company, 2nd Michigan Militia (War of 1812); The Dodworth Saxhorn Band (www.dodworth.org); Eddie Josephs and the Tin Penny Band (jug band music); and the 5th Rangers (WWII).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, July 19 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Bake sale, with homemade baked goods by Friends of Walker Tavern
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Dodworth Saxhorn Band, concert and instrument demonstration
Noon to 12:45 p.m. - Dodworth Saxhorn Band, 19th-Century Town Dance with period dance lessons
1 p.m. - Premier showing of the original play "A Wild Time at Walker Tavern"
1:30 to 4 p.m. - Dodworth Saxhorn Band, vocal music duo demonstration/concert
2:30 p.m. - Pie auction with auctioneer George Gordon (proceeds benefit the campaign for the Hewitt House renovation)
3 p.m. - Tin Penny Band ? jug band music from 1890-1910

Sunday, July 20 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Farmers market
10 to 11:30 a.m. - Dodworth Saxhorn Band, historic instrument demonstration
11:30 to 3 p.m. - Dodworth Saxhorn Band, vocal music duo demonstration/concert/dance lessons
1 p.m. - Premier showing of the original play "A Wild Time at Walker Tavern"
2 p.m. - Sock hop - 50s rock and dance

Allegiance Family Medicine in Brooklyn and the Friends of Walker Tavern are generous sponsors of the Walker Walk Thru Time. Allegiance Family Medicine is the new name of Dr. Roger Bloomer's practice in Brooklyn (formerly Foote Family Medicine). The Friends of Walker Tavern is a non-profit organization with the mission of supporting the educational activities of Walker Tavern Historic Site.

Walker Tavern is located in Brooklyn, next to the Michigan International Speedway in the Irish Hills region. Situated at the historic crossroads of M-50 and the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail, Walker Tavern is just 35 miles west of Ann Arbor.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries jointly administer Walker Tavern. Walker Tavern Historic Site is part of the Michigan Historical Museum System and is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more information visit www.michigan.gov/walkertavern or call (517) 467-4401, TDD (517) 373-1592.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).