When 9-year-old Aziyah Brookman stepped on the Gov. Caswell State Historic Site Saturday, she didn’t know which activity to do first.
The Banks Elementary School student was ready to step back in time for 2nd Saturday, a statewide program through the Department of Cultural Resources.
Saturday, the Caswell site on West Vernon was turned into a 18th century fair, where trades, crafts, food and games were highlighted.
Brookman, who visited with her mom and younger sister, made a connection from the event back to lessons from her Banks Elementary School classroom last year.
“Back then, a lot of people didn’t have what we have in the future,” said Brookman, who took an instant liking to the field games. “We’re starting to get new stuff and new adventures. I love trying new things.”
Various stations were arranged outside the museum, where visitors could dip a candle, churn butter, watch a blacksmith and write with a quill pen. Caswell staff was assisted by colonial re-enactors Saturday afternoon.
Sarah Risty-Davis, Caswell director, said while the 2nd Saturday event highlighted crafts, it reminded Kinston about the museum.
“I think sometimes locals forget that we’re here,” she said. “We’re kind of nestled back. (The 2nd Saturday) is a great reminder, especially now that school’s out, to come and visit us.”
Risty-Davis added the museum staff is talented and helped bring history to life during the fair.
Many visitors were immediately drawn to the blacksmithing press run by David Stone of New Bern.
“I enjoy it a lot,” he said about his craft of 25 years. “What’s nice is being able to make things that you cannot buy or repair things that are otherwise not repairable.”
He demonstrated to onlookers how he heats pure iron to a “glowing, bright orange” for shaping with a hammer.
“Iron has a really high melting point,” Stone said, “so it’s very difficult to get it hot enough to liquefy.”
He heated an iron tool to 2,220 degrees to get it soft enough to shape. Stone said tools are still made this way, just with more technology and a much larger press.
“It’s kind of similar,” Stone said about the blacksmithing advancement over the centuries, “but its not fellows with hand tools doing it. It’s all done with big presses and machinery.”
While he enjoyed demonstrating, Brookman and her family found pleasure in multiple stations as well.
“We love it,” said Natalia Brookman, Aziyah’s mom. “It’s actually really awesome because the kids love being outdoors and doing this type of stuff. We try to come to any events Kinston has.”
Several other events in the city were associated with 2nd Saturday, including a jazz concert, complimentary breakfast at the Farmer’s Market and Bluegrass sessions. There was an event Friday, but 2nd Saturday only takes place on the actual day. CSS Neuse and Mother Earth Brewery tours were also in connection with the event.
The Caswell Center has partnered with the Lions Water Adventure today to close the weekend in an event today.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
When 9-year-old Aziyah Brookman stepped on the Gov. Caswell State Historic Site Saturday, she didn’t know which activity to do first.
The Banks Elementary School student was ready to step back in time for 2nd Saturday, a statewide program through the Department of Cultural Resources.
Saturday, the Caswell site on West Vernon was turned into a 18th century fair, where trades, crafts, food and games were highlighted.
Brookman, who visited with her mom and younger sister, made a connection from the event back to lessons from her Banks Elementary School classroom last year.
“Back then, a lot of people didn’t have what we have in the future,” said Brookman, who took an instant liking to the field games. “We’re starting to get new stuff and new adventures. I love trying new things.”
Various stations were arranged outside the museum, where visitors could dip a candle, churn butter, watch a blacksmith and write with a quill pen. Caswell staff was assisted by colonial re-enactors Saturday afternoon.
Sarah Risty-Davis, Caswell director, said while the 2nd Saturday event highlighted crafts, it reminded Kinston about the museum.
“I think sometimes locals forget that we’re here,” she said. “We’re kind of nestled back. (The 2nd Saturday) is a great reminder, especially now that school’s out, to come and visit us.”
Risty-Davis added the museum staff is talented and helped bring history to life during the fair.
Many visitors were immediately drawn to the blacksmithing press run by David Stone of New Bern.
“I enjoy it a lot,” he said about his craft of 25 years. “What’s nice is being able to make things that you cannot buy or repair things that are otherwise not repairable.”
He demonstrated to onlookers how he heats pure iron to a “glowing, bright orange” for shaping with a hammer.
“Iron has a really high melting point,” Stone said, “so it’s very difficult to get it hot enough to liquefy.”
He heated an iron tool to 2,220 degrees to get it soft enough to shape. Stone said tools are still made this way, just with more technology and a much larger press.
“It’s kind of similar,” Stone said about the blacksmithing advancement over the centuries, “but its not fellows with hand tools doing it. It’s all done with big presses and machinery.”
While he enjoyed demonstrating, Brookman and her family found pleasure in multiple stations as well.
“We love it,” said Natalia Brookman, Aziyah’s mom. “It’s actually really awesome because the kids love being outdoors and doing this type of stuff. We try to come to any events Kinston has.”
Several other events in the city were associated with 2nd Saturday, including a jazz concert, complimentary breakfast at the Farmer’s Market and Bluegrass sessions. There was an event Friday, but 2nd Saturday only takes place on the actual day. CSS Neuse and Mother Earth Brewery tours were also in connection with the event.
The Caswell Center has partnered with the Lions Water Adventure today to close the weekend in an event today.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.