Muster Grounds Field Trip

Our homeschool co-op enjoyed a little colonial history at the Muster Grounds in Abingdon, Virginia.  Field trip mainly for 5th, 6th and 7th graders but younger siblings were allowed if accompanied by a parent.  This famous area, as is much of Virginia pertaining to battle grounds, is based on a common man militia serving during the Civil War.




The group enjoyed experiencing the life and times of this period by visiting and participating in the activities and listening to each character tell their story of the times.  These fascinating thirteen minute intervals gave us all an exciting feel for what many of our ancestors must have endured during times of war.  

One of our favorite stations was that of a French merchant who sold lace.  He demonstrated the intricacies of lace making and in authentic french dialect portrayed himself in comical elitist mannerisms.  Typical of the reputation that France has given itself over the centuries, an air of being just a little bit better than everyone else.  Truly funny.  Anna's friend even asked him why he had dots all over his face...to which he replied "because it's the current French style....and that maybe one day we would all catch on and not look so funny ourselves".  Ha!  Poking fun of France's trend setting for the world of course.  Very well done.

Stations included period games, string spinning, salt history, firearm demonstration, bayonet game, Cherokee Indian impersonation, colonial travel and many more.  During the blacksmith example he pounded out a neat horse shaped hook that he gave to ME, because I happened to be the only mother in the group with the most children at that moment.  Funny, if my friend with seven had accompanied her child in the group then she would have beat me out, ha!  Sorry Linda.

The part I appreciated most was that even though the trip was mainly for older kids, they accommodated our little ones and treated them as welcomed guests.  My first grader even enjoyed the lessons without understanding the "school"component hidden within.  Well organized and learning for all ages!