Wed 6/17-Sat 6/20
The era represented by Bath’s Hale Farm & Village was a complicated one for Americans. Hale reconstructs a northeast Ohio pioneer village of the post-Civil War 19th century, recreating the way people lived then, and sharing how they farmed, raised livestock, preserved food, spun and wove, and blacksmithed in historically costumed demonstrations.
On one hand it seems sort of romantic, like living off the grid without the Internet or cell phones, or for that matter, ANY phones, or any of our modern amenities. On the other hand, it was an unsettled time for former slaves. While Reconstructive briefly promised them the ability and resources to participate in society, the reality on the ground was different and deeply embedded racism quickly reversed many of their gains.
So when Hale Farm & Village marks Juneteenth — the holiday marking the day the last slaves learned they were free — with four days of programming set in 1870, they’re looking at a time when emancipated slaves were still hopefully that they might be free to work and live freely, hopes that were soon dashed.
Hale will relate that history through interactive storytelling, live interpretation and other programming. There’ll be hands-on activities and discussions of the uneven path to freedom for Black Americans. Get tickets here.