Pioneer School: Children experience life in 19th-century Geauga County

Jul. 18—From July 11-15, around 60 children experienced life in 19th-century Geauga County as part of the 49th annual Pioneer School, hosted at the Geauga County Historical Society's Century Village Museum in Burton Village for children between the ages of 8 and 12.

"Pioneer School is an opportunity for kids to come to a summer day camp program, and we focus on historical aspects of life for the pioneers," according to Brandy Hanusosky, the event director.

The camp usually takes place in the first full week after the Fourth of July.

Among the aspects of pioneer living that students experienced, first-time volunteer Sue Butvin demonstrated how residents at the time washed clothes and made soap.

"Doing laundry was a whole job of its own" and could take a day to complete, Hanusosky noted.

According to Butvin, who has previously participated in Civil War reenactments, residents at the time used washboards and chemicals such as washing sodas and borax. They made washing soap from lye water, using stone, sand, straw and wood ash to filter the solution before combining it with animal fats in a process known as saponification.

"They love it," Butvin said of the children. "It's fun. It's fun for me to be able to educate regarding historical things because I'm also involved with the LGAR and the DAR."

She added that those organizations, the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Daughters of the American Revolution, respectively, "encourage you to educate and preserve history, and so this...gives me the opportunity to give back to the community and teach the children about history."

Hanusosky noted that laundry and soapmaking are among the opportunities offered on a five-year rotation, which ensures that campers who participate all five years experience each activity once. Square dancing is offered every year.

Other activities this year included a look at farm animals, blacksmiths and 19th-century medicine; lessons in making paper, brooms and applesauce; and demonstrations of how pioneers engaged in photography, sewing, whitewashing and letter writing.

Hanusosky said that on Friday, which is their family day, parents typically come at noon and the children present square dancing. They also have an ice cream social and family picnic.

For next year's 50th anniversary, she said that event organizers hope to add to family day with wagon rides and more artisan demonstrations for the parents. They also plan to invite all previous campers.

"We take a lot of things for granted, right, and when you step back and see how hard life was, and how hard simple things can be, you don't have to have batteries and electronics to have fun."

— Brandy Hanusosky, Pioneer School director

While Pioneer School is intended for children between 8 and 12, Hanusosky said that some campers choose to come back and volunteer once they age out of the program. Brian Schink is one of those helpers, with more than 10 years of experience as a camper and volunteer.

Schink said he enjoyed his camp experience, specifically mentioning that he had fun making candles. His goal as a volunteer is that children are "learning something new, but also having fun while doing it," and that those who are not as enthusiastic about the camp feel encouraged to participate.

Sandy Mueller has been involved with the program for 43 years, and she was asked to serve as director in her second year. Though she's since handed off the leadership role to Hanusosky, she continues to volunteer at Pioneer School.

"It's something that has been very important in my life and very rewarding," she said, later adding, "It's a wonderful program, and we have a wonderful place here at Century Village. It's like a gem, as far as I'm concerned."

According to Terri Kwasniewski, the museum's office manager, everything at Century Village comes from Geauga County. It opened nearly 80 years ago and offers guided tours with an interpreter. There is also a store and a farm which is used to produce maple syrup and apple butter.

She added that the society does not receive government funding and is currently raising funds to replace the village's roofing.

Rose Torok, a historical society board member, said that the goal of the organization is to "keep history alive in Geauga County."

Kwasniewski and Torok also mentioned that Century Village hosts weddings, graduations and other ceremonial occasions. A blacksmith group meets weekly, while a potter and broom makers also make use of the site.

Hanusosky said, "We take a lot of things for granted, right, and when you step back and see how hard life was, and how hard simple things can be, you don't have to have batteries and electronics to have fun."

Century Village Museum is located at 14653 E. Park Street in Burton. More information can be found at centuryvillagemuseum.org.