May 17, 2006
For Immediate Release
Heather Brown 620-273-8494

Special Draft Horse Haying Demonstration and Memorial Day Weekend Activities at the Preserve

Living history interpreters at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve will demonstrate historic haying and raking methods using draft horses and 19th century machinery throughout the day on Saturday, May 27th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Living history interpreters will also demonstrate 19th century techniques of Dutch oven and ranch stove cooking while preparing a meal for the ranch hands. From noon until 1 p.m. ranch workers will stop for a mid-day meal under the Cottonwood tree by the ranch house. The day continues with historic blacksmithing techniques, haying demonstrations, and a quilting bee.

On May 28th and 29th, the interpreters will demonstrate historic gardening and carpentry methods. On both days, refreshments will be served at 2 p.m. and children are invited to play games that were popular during the early 19th century.

A 6.4-mile bus tour of the preserve's more remote backcountry is available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. daily from April 29 through October 29, 2006. The cost is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 for ages 5 - 18 years. There is no charge for children age 4 and under. Advance reservations for the bus tours are recommended, but arrangements can be made on the day of the visit if space is available. For more information, please call the park rangers' offices at 620-273-8494.

Guided tours of the historic 1881 limestone ranch house are conducted hourly on the half-hour starting at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 3:30 p.m.

The Lower Fox Creek School, a one-room schoolhouse, is staffed by volunteers and is open to the public from 12 noon until 4 p.m. May 27th through Memorial Day Monday.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a public/private partnership with the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Kansas Park Trust. Located two miles north of Strong City on Kansas State Highway 177 (the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway), Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. For more information or to make group arrangements, e-mail: tapr_interpretation@nps.gov or call the preserve at (620) 273-8494.

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