Prairie Day at Carver monument set for Sept. 11

George Washington Carver National Monument will host Prairie Day on Saturday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Prairie Day is a celebration of life on a southwest Missouri farm during the mid-1860s and1870s. Features include horse-drawn wagon rides through the prairie with a storyteller to entertain.

At the 1881 Moses Carver House, history will come alive with candle dipping, Dutch-oven cooking, wool spinning, soap making, weaving, crochet, rag rugs, laundry and making lye soap, butter making, corn shucking, corn shelling and grinding, a chuck wagon, and a kitchen garden.

The Town & Country Quilters will host a quilting bee and other quilters will demonstrate fancy quilting and tied quilts.

Professional storytellers include John Anderson as "Brother John", with music and stories about African American life on the prairie from the 1860s and 1870s; Richard and Judy Young presenting Ozark traditional stories; and Bobby Norfolk sharing African American folklore.

A special feature is the music of Rev. John Wilkins with his selections of blues. Ripplin Creek and Flyin Buzzards will play traditional bluegrass, Ozark Wilderness Dulcimer Club will play hammered dulcimers, Panhandle Slim will share songs of African American life, and Bramble & Rose, an old-time string band, will present Civil War-era selections.

At the Carver Family Cemetery, visitors may explore the hidden meanings of epitaphs and engravings. Edible and medicinal plants found on the prairie will be displayed and prairie walks will be conducted.

Near the pond, basket weavers will create works of art, and exhibits will depict woodland and prairie animals and birds. Kid-friendly activities include painting with natural dyes, old-fashioned toys and games, and a special Junior Ranger badge.

An exhibit near the site of the slave cabin shows Civil War medicine, and the role of archeology will be explored. Tri State Carvers Guild will demonstrate wood carving techniques, the Missouri Department of Conservation will discuss the benefit of prescription fire on the prairie, and the Neosho Fish Hatchery will present interactive exhibits.