The holiday season is the time to reflect on the past. You likely incorporate old traditions into the festivities and think about how life used to be in Owensboro. But, instead of just imagining it, you can explore the old days with a trip to Jim Lambert Pioneer Village at Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro, KY. Check out the highlights so you can plan your trip to the village.
Stop by the Jones Family Cabin
If you’re interested in Revolutionary War history, you’ll want to stop by the Jones Family Cabin. Jesse Jones built the cabin in 1821. While he wasn’t in the war, his father, James, was. Rumor has it that James stayed in the cabin in the 1820s, after his time in the war.
The one-room log cabin provides an intimate look at what life was like after the war was over. During your visit, think about everything that happened inside that cabin. There was a marriage, a birth, and other activities inside of this small cabin. While many say that times were simpler back then, life was certainly quite complex when sharing such a small dwelling with a number of people.
Log Barn and Forge
You can get some insight into what farm life was like by visiting the log barn and forge. The Ward Pedley Sr. Forge is still in working order, which you can experience first-hand at the annual Patriot Day celebration. While you might not see a blacksmith at work during your tour now, it’s still impressive to look over. Your imagination will run wild just thinking about the blacksmith’s role on the frontier and how those innovations still help society today.
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Rosenwald School
The village’s Rosenwald School might be the Pioneer Village’s crown jewel. It was built as part of the Rosenwald Project, an effort funded by Julius Rosenwald, to build schools and other facilities for African American students and teachers. The school opened in 1919 in Pleasant Ridge, and many of the graduates went on to become leaders of the community. It closed in 1936 and found a new home at the Pioneer Village in 1992. After undergoing restoration, it serves as an important piece of history.
The next time you’re at the park, be sure to check out the Pioneer Village. It doesn’t take long to tour the village, but it’ll leave quite an impression.