Event
Draft Horse Teams Make Hay at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Fee:
Free.Location: LAT/LONG: 38.432970, -96.557010
Located 2 miles north of U.S. Hwy 50 and K-177 intersection, west of Strong City, KS
Dates & Times
Date:
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Type of Event
Draft horses will mow the hay fields from 10 am to noon, with a short break then return to work from 1 pm - 3:30 pm.
Description
STRONG CITY, Kansas: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is pleased to announce the upcoming historic horse-drawn haying and raking demonstrations with four teams of draft horses on Saturday, June 29th from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weather permitting.
Step back over 100 years as living history interpreters and the Kansas Draft Horse and Mule Association members demonstrate the process of making hay using draft horses and 19th century machinery propelled by real horsepower. This year the bottomland field will become part of the demonstration area along with the field directly adjacent to the visitor center.
Having enough hay to last through the winter months was a necessity. Prairie hay was cut from the bottomland fields and made into hay stacks and also stored loosely in the loft of the large 1882 limestone barn. Interpreters will be on site to talk about the cultural history of the Spring Hill Ranch.
Women’s typical roles will be depicted as living history interpreters demonstrate 19th century techniques of ranch stove cooking from 10 a.m. until noon, while preparing a meal for the ranch hands. See a table spread with typical foods of the day providing plenty of fuel for the hired hands that toil in their hard labor.
On weekends in June visit with the volunteers at the one-room Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse and learn about prairie education and the school’s rich history. The school is furnished with historic desks, McGuffey Readers, a recitation bench, and other classroom items.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve invites you to discover the meaning of national parks, how your park inspires you - both in personal connections and memorable experiences. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located two miles north of Strong City on Kansas State Highway 177 (the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway) and is a unique public/private partnership between the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy. For more information, visit the preserve’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NPS.TallgrassPrairie , website at www.nps.gov/tapr, email e-mail us, or call the preserve at (620) 273-8494.
To learn more about The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, visit the Conservancy’s website at www.nature.org/Kansas or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TNCKansas .
-NPS-
Reservation or Registration: No
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