The Blue Whale and Other Travel Tales: Ocali Days at Silver River Museum and State Park

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Silver River State Park and Museum
1425 N.E. 58th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470

(352) 236-7148

8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Park Admission Fee:

$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.

$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.

$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

$2.00 per person. Entrance to the Silver River Museum and Environmental Center, which is open weekends and major holidays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Children under six are free. The park is home to the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. The center is operated by the Marion County School District in cooperation with the park and is open to the public on weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00. p.m. For more information see website for Silver River Museum. The Pioneer Cracker village is open only once monthly to the public. Check the website for monthly date. A volunteer who once lived in a Cracker-style home will help you step back in time to life in Central Florida in the 1800's, a fascinating glimpse into our historic past--houses, school house and smithy.

Special fees apply for special events and festivals (Ocali Days—park entrance fee waived, entrance to museum and village $5.00 adults; children under 6 free). Check website for fees for other events)

See website for pavilion and camping fees

www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver/

www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34637-d108806-Reviews

One of the park’s great festivals is Ocali Days!

Capt'n Connie

Steve has been volunteering at Silver River Museum located at the Silver River State Park in preparation for Ocali Days (November 8-November 11 for school children and November 12 and 13 for the general public this year). He originally volunteered to be First Mate on the pontoon boat used for the youngsters in the Marion County School System. But that is a very popular volunteering position.

Therefore, his chance in the rotation is slow (although he did have three shots at it in three weeks). They have discovered that he is a good handy man and carpenter and have used his skills, accordingly. He has been there two or three days a week for the last several weeks, helping Ricky.

His handiwork

One of the jobs Steve had done was to stain the benches in the school house that had been used in the Ocala area in a "black" one room school when segregation was still in effect in southern states including Florida up till the time when integration was Federally mandated. Although a bit later in history than the other buildings and reproductions, this school was relocated to the Cracker Village to save it and use it as an educational example.

The classroom

Designed and made by Steve to aid in Candle Dipping

He worked with Ricky on Monday, November 7 for the final day of getting ready. Tuesday through Friday he cut and sold sugar cane. A piece about a foot long sold for fifty cents. Over 4,000 students came through the event over the four days…Marion Public schools, Private and Christian schools, and many homeschoolers, Most of the students were fifth grade or under. All seemed to enjoy themselves. When I asked if they had learned anything, the teachers, parents and other chaperones were quick to answer for the kids in the affirmative.

Steve also wanted to sell some of his handicrafts. Buddy-boy, y’all can’t do both volunteering and selling. So, Tuesday and Thursday, I sat at our tent. Thursday, I did my early American flag presentation, so at least I felt that I was at least volunteering on some level. I had not been on the volunteer schedule, so that worked out okay. Wednesday, I floated. Friday, Saturday and Sunday I worked as the local laundress. (more about these later). We were closed Friday as we both “volunteered.” Saturday and Sunday Steve sat in our sutlery.

Steve sold two tables and a bird house (to his Primary Care Physician—of all people--who had come with his wife and two boys) and a couple of his toy guns. He was a bit disappointed with this number, but any time he sells is a good thing. In addition, I carry stripped thigh high socks in many colors—black and yellow, red and white, blue and gray…well, you get the picture. Over the course of six days, ten pair were sold. We have never sold that many at any event. We also carry stuffed animals…mostly horses. The pink horses are my best seller.

This park is located in the eastern part of Ocala (Silver Springs area). And Ocala, of course, is the city who claims to be the Horse Capital of the World. (I am sure there are other places that would dispute this claim, but there are approximately a half million horses in Marion County—where Ocala lies—and the adjoining next door neighbor--Levy County—part of the greater Ocala area. Many famous or near famous racing horses have at some portion of their lives resided in the Ocala area. Some were bred and/or born in the area; many trained on one of its many training race tracks. Ocala area can, therefore, present a good argument for its claim to the title.)

Fred--Love those Springers
He belongs to Ron

There were vendors and exhibits for the kids all week, but Saturday and Sunday, the numbers of both of these—exhibitors and vendors--exploded. My fellow reenactors/time period sensitive vendors—Bubbles and Ron, the Spotted Pony, the Poindexters, Wooden Hawk, Mr. Monty’s Toy Emporium—were among the many.

A petting zoo. A chance to touch all kinds of arachnids and super-sized insects. A visit with raptors. And, of course refreshments in the form of bbq and other yummies.

There was much to see and do within the village. The volunteers overseeing the cane sugar mill got volunteers from the kids (and some adults) to push the large wooden pole that-- when rotated-- crushed the cane into liquid. This would then be brought to an area where it was heated and syrup became a viable product.

Wednesday, when I floated, I had the opportunity to work in the school house—which carries a cross on its roof as it is also used as church on Sunday (so much for early “separation of church and state.” My editorial is that our early pioneers had no such idea in mind. Those people today who are promoting such bonk are not reading their history, as the first amendment indicates that the government shall not impose a given religion. My opinion only…not necessarily that of the park).

The next place in which I substituted to give the regular volunteer a break was a replica of a Cracker House called the Godwin House. It has two main rooms with a detached kitchen. Kitchens, particularly in the South, were often detached for at least two reasons. One is that it is hot down here. Cooking away from the main house would keep the house itself cooler. The other, and probably the main reason, is that if the fire in the kitchen expanded beyond its fireplace or stove, it would be much easier to replace the one small room than it would be to lose the entire house. Lots of period items.

Friday through Sunday, I was the local laundress. Actually, I was the overseer, as it was set up for the youngsters to operate the entire wash system. Wash tubs. Scrub board. Rinse water. Wringer. It was amazing how many young people lined up to take his/her turn to scrub and wring the clothes. I equated the wringer to the spin cycle in Mom’s machine. Many returned several times to help with the laundry. I brought my own bar of lye soap, so that they could see what was used for the cleaning portion using the scrub board.

Behind me were Gene and Rosalie. Gene had been born almost locally in rural Florida almost eighty years ago. He had lived through most of what was being exhibited, displayed, demonstrated and explained. He is a wealth of knowledge with a really great sense of humor and soooo many stories. He and Rosalie demonstrate the removing of dried corn from its cob and grinding it into grits and corn meal. Children are encouraged to participate in portions of the process. He sells both grits and corn meal by donation to help defray the cost of the corn, etc. He was a big help in some of the details about which I was not so sure. I am, as you know, a New Englander. Some of my history details are not the same as local, in part due to the difference in climate; and, thus, agriculture, etc.

Spinning wheels. Smitty. Shaving Horse and other old time tools. Cracker Cow Camp (complete with a Cracker horse and a pregnant Cracker cow). Confederate Infantry camp. Union artillery camp (y’all, your cannon was facing the wrong direction…the Confederates were behind you, not in the direction the cannon was facing) with somewhat an hourly firing. 54th Massachusetts (colored troops—not PC for 2011, but appropriate title for the time period). Authors. Native American camp. An operating telegraph service. And so much more.

The school house offers some classes. The interior was a series of benches with a desk-like elongated board on which slates could be placed. Much of early education consisted of learning various information in either a poem or in a sing-song manner (A, B, C, D, EFG, etc.). On the back of many of the slates was a poem about the Presidents up to Benjamin Harrison. Children in our early days knew the names of all these men. Very few people can do that today (I can, but I’m weird). There are also some period “toys”—marbles, tug-of-war rope.

Sunday morning, in the school house, there was a short, very nice church service before the park opened.

The event gives kids and adults lots of hands on learning experiences. So much fun for both the public and those of us who volunteer. Keep early November available and put this on your calendar. If in the area, one should not miss this festival. Lots of work. Lots of fun. Thanks, Scott, for this opportunity!