The Northeast Georgia History Center (NEGAHC) hosted a Homeschool Day on Thursday, August 24, 2023, to commemorate the founding of Georgia in 1733. The event was open to all homeschooling families and featured various activities and demonstrations related to the colonial history of Georgia.
Learning from living history interpreters
One of the highlights of the Homeschool Day was the presentations by professional living history interpreters who portrayed General James Oglethorpe and Mary Musgrove. Oglethorpe was the founder and first governor of Georgia, while Musgrove was a Creek Indian woman who served as an interpreter and mediator between the colonists and the natives. The interpreters shared their stories and perspectives on the establishment and development of the Georgia colony, as well as answered questions from the audience.
Exploring the everyday lives of colonists
Another attraction of the Homeschool Day was the open-fire cooking demonstration, where visitors learned how the colonists prepared their food using traditional methods and ingredients. The demonstration also showed how food was a cultural exchange between the Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans who lived in Georgia. Visitors also got to taste some of the dishes cooked over the fire, such as cornbread, stew, and peach cobbler.
Making a trade at Mary Musgrove’s trading post
The Homeschool Day also offered an opportunity for visitors to make a trade at Mary Musgrove’s trading post, which was a replica of the one she operated in Savannah. The trading post displayed various items that were traded between the colonists and the Creek tribes, such as beads, blankets, tools, weapons, and pottery. Visitors could use tokens to exchange for these items and learn about their values and uses.
Trying their hand at weaving
Another activity that visitors could try was weaving with a kid-friendly loom. Weaving was an important skill for both the colonists and the natives, who used it to make clothing, blankets, baskets, and mats. Visitors could choose from different colors and patterns of yarn and create their own woven products.
Learning about the religious life and missions in the colony
The Homeschool Day also featured a station that focused on the religious life and missions in the colony. Visitors learned about the different denominations that were present in Georgia, such as Anglicans, Moravians, Lutherans, and Jews. They also learned about the role of missionaries in converting and educating the natives, as well as the challenges and conflicts that arose from these efforts.
Discovering historical artifacts in the exhibits
The final activity of the Homeschool Day was a Kids Scavenger Hunt in the exhibits of the NEGAHC. Visitors could use clues to find and identify various historical artifacts that related to the founding of Georgia, such as maps, documents, coins, flags, and portraits. The scavenger hunt was a fun way to test their knowledge and explore the museum.
The Homeschool Day: The Founding of Georgia was a successful event that attracted many homeschooling families and individuals who wanted to learn more about the history of their state. The event was free for members of the NEGAHC and required online registration for non-members. The NEGAHC is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and share the history of Northeast Georgia through exhibits, programs, and events.
