Highlights Archives
A Harvest of Knowledge at Pope Farm Park
More than 300 Middleton-Cross Plains fourth graders, parents and educators gathered in Pope Farm Educational Park in late October for this year's Fall Harvest Bonanza. During the two-day event children learned about Native American history and experienced what life was like in the Madison area 1,000 years ago. The Wisconsin Historical Society has partnered with the town of Middleton and the Pope family to bring educational events to the park since 2004. This year we were joined by area naturalists and archaeologists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
This year's Fall Harvest Bonanza featured a series of survival stations where young visitors learned about the skills that Wisconsin's ancient residents needed to survive each winter. Wisconsin Historical Society archaeologist Leah Rausch guided students on a tour of this year's Native American demonstration garden, and taught them about food preparation and storage. Wisconsin Historical Society archaeologist Amy Rosebrough gave the students a short course in ancient technology and tool production. Naturalists Stephanie Williams, Miguela Fry, Joleen Henneman, Trel Gimber and Ann Walser brought a selection of wild foods available to Wisconsin's Native residents, and helped the kids come up with recipes. Finally, University of Wisconsin-Madison archaeologist Danielle Benden helped the children understand how archaeologists learn about the past.
After passing their "survival training," the children were "taken back in time," divided into groups and taken on a walking tour through the park. They moved through a series of nine stations representing different natural environments, and were asked to find resources necessary for winter survival. When two groups met, their leaders attempted to negotiate trades. By role playing, the students gained a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and strength of Wisconsin's Native peoples.
The 105-acre park is open to the public, and visitors are welcome to come see the demonstration gardens planted last spring by Middleton-Cross Plains fourth graders and Wisconsin Historical Society archaeologists. Pope Farm Park is located west of Madison on the north side of Old Sauk Road, approximately two miles west of Highways 12/14.
:: Posted October 30, 2008
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