Fall Living History Festival – Education Day

After a two-year break due to COVID, we are excited to invite you and your students back to Marsh Haven Nature Center for the Fall Living History Festival! This event will be held September 23-25, with Friday, September 23 as Education Day. This is a free of charge opportunity for students of all ages to step back into Wisconsin’s history. There will be tents and tipi’s set up in an encampment and many demonstrations with hands-on opportunities. For example, we have re-enactors demonstrating War of 1812 era, candle makers, wood carving, butter churning, ice cream making, wool spinning – with additional artisans to be added.

The special guest educator this year is Karen Hartman, known as the “Dream Catcher Lady.” Karen will be gifting one of her books and lesson plans to each class/school in attendance. She will also be demonstrating beading, dream catcher making, birch bark biting, basket weaving and more.

Upon arrival at Marsh Haven, one of our volunteers will board the bus (if you are arriving on a bus) or speak to your group. All students will be given a history passport postcard with a listing of the different history stops. Students can stamp their passports to keep track of their progress throughout the encampment.

Groups will progress on their own through the encampment area. All outside stops are located in the vicinity of the Main Building, Dommisse Lodge and the “Picnic Shelter” area. The indoor stops are inside the “Vine/Griffith Education Building” in the classroom, theater and near the Art Galleries. Spend as much time as needed so that your students fully experience the activities. Encourage lots of questions, the demonstrators love to answer questions about their skill or demonstration.

Lunch can be eaten under the picnic shelter, around the campfire area, anywhere on the grass, or the picnic tables near the main building. Depending on your policies, students are welcome to bring spending money along to purchase low-cost items, such as fry bread for $1, candle dipping for $1, and other trinkets and souvenirs of their visit.

RESERVE YOUR TIME: We ask you to call or email with your school, contact information, anticipated time of arrival and number of students in your group so we can be prepared. Contact Renee at (920) 318-9518 or email: director@marshhaven.org. If you have any questions, use the same contact information.