It will be another fun-filled day at George Washington Carver National Monument, as the park’s annual Prairie Days is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

“Prairie Day is both educational and fun, with activities for all ages,” said Lana Henry, GWC chief ranger. “For this special event we take visitors back in time to George’s boyhood years. Born into slavery on the Moses Carver farm in the tumultuous times surrounding the Civil War, and kidnapped by raiders and orphaned as a baby, the early years of George Washington Carver were tragic in many ways. Yet George developed a tremendous ‘I can’ attitude as he overcome the many obstacles in his path, and then went on to accomplish great things as a scientist and humanitarian. During Prairie Days, we take a look at how George acquired skills and interests during his formative years that had an influence upon him throughout his life.”

Volunteers and park rangers will provide visitors the opportunity to better understand the cultural environment Carver experienced as a young person growing up in the Ozarks during the 1860s to 1880s.

Visitors to the park will be able to hear music from the Ozark Wilderness Dulcimer Club and area dulcimer musicians. Bluegrass, folk music and other groups will provide entertainment under a tent. Guests might want to bring lawn chairs or blankets and just kick back and enjoy the music, Henry said.

“A special treat for this year’s event includes an African-American storyteller, Mr. Wil Clay from Greenville, N.C.,” said Henry. 

“The Carver Birthplace Association is so glad to have been able to secure funding from the Missouri Arts Council and National Endowment for the Humanities to bring in an artist of the caliber of Wil Clay,” said Paxton Williams, executive director. “As with all special events at Carver National Monument, audiences at Prairie Day will be in for a real treat!  On a day with so much going on in our greater community, I hope families will take the time to attend of Mr. Clay’s sessions at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m, 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.  I know I am looking forward to being entertained and educated by this stories and folktales, including ones about ‘Why the Hog Has a Short Life’ and ‘How Come the Bear Sleeps All Winter.’ ”

Another aspect of the day is the horse-drawn wagon rides through the tallgrass prairie.
“Storytellers will share tales as visitors hitch a ride on antique wagons driven by sorrel Belgian horse teams,” said Henry. “These horse teams participate in area Plow Day events and the owners tell me they even use the teams for farm work, moving large bales of hay and other typical heavy chores. One of the wagons that the volunteers are bringing has authentic old-time high-wheels and likely dates to the 1840s.”

Other events include The Ozark Mountain Basket Weavers, who will give a demonstration of their craft and provide a display of baskets. Elisha Burchfield, with the Newton County Historical Society, will demonstrate traditional log hewing. Tri State Wood Carving Guild will share the art of woodcarving. Visitors can try their skill at quilt making, spinning and weaving, and even participate in an old-time spelling bee.

Also a variety of hands-on activities will be offered at the historic 1881 Moses Carver House, along the Carver Trail, and visitors can join in the fun. Nineteenth century living history demonstrations of candle making, lye-soap, hearth cooking, butter churning, basket weaving, old-time toys and games, scrubbing laundry and more will be shared with visitors.

 Carver was also instrumental in other aspects of life, including art, which began when he was on the farm.

“The time George was allowed to spend exploring the prairie, woodlands, natural springs and streams, and the many plants and animals found on the farm no doubt had a big influence on his love for nature,” Henry said. “He seemed to combine this keen appreciation for nature with his interest in art, which stayed with him throughout his life. One of the hands-on activities we provide for visitors on Prairie Day is painting with natural dyes. It is neat to see how artistically creative visitors can be with just a few native berries, feathers and rocks.”

Other displays will include a traveling display from the National Park Service Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Program, which shares highlights of natural resource conservation efforts within this region. In addition, the Missouri Department of Conservation is providing exhibits on prairie wildlife and prescription burn tools and techniques. The Hill ‘n Hollow Master Gardeners will provide an exhibit on wild edible plants and medicinal herbs. Volunteers from Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield will be on hand to share information on the American Battlefield Protection Program and area civil war history.

The Carver Birthplace Association will offer concessions. 

Schedule of events

10 a.m.             Ripplin’ Creek

10:40 a.m.       Old Time Harmony Gospel Quartet

11:20 a.m.       Heartland Concert Bant

Noon               Brown’s Mountain Music

12:40 p.m.       Dwayne and Barbara Smith

1:20 p.m.         Ozark Ridge Runners

2 p.m.            “Panhandle Slim” Cecil Williams

Historical info

Introduced into the House on July 15, 1942 and the Senate on October 13, 1942, George Washington Carver National Monument was authorized by Congress on July 14, 1943.   With this Act, the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver located in Diamond, Missouri marked the first national memorial within the National Park Service to the achievements of an African-American.

George Washington Carver National Monument preserves the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver, scientist, educator, and humanitarian. The monument is located two miles west of Diamond, Missouri on Route V, then south a half mile on Carver Road.
For more information, call the park at 325-4151.