Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement, a 40-acre living-history farm in rural Montgomery County, Tennessee, celebrates its 2020 Season Opening on Saturday, April 25. But even before the official opening day, visitors can begin enjoying the events slated for the 2020 season.
For starters, families are invited to the Easter Eggstravaganza with egg hunts for ages 1-12 on Saturday, April 4. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. with egg hunts beginning at 11:00 a.m. Please register your child online at www.histroiccollinsville.com/events in advance based on their appropriate age category.
“We’ve done a lot of work on the property and buildings since October,” said Manager Linda Ebel. “So many groups are interested and involved with helping…and sharing ideas…from scouts to homeschoolers to neighbors, so we have a lot that is new for the public to see, learn and experience this year.”
One of the most significant changes is the addition of a Teacher’s Residence, located across from the Wildwood Church/Schoolhouse. Ebel planned this home to represent the late 1800s, expanding the timeline of the pioneer settlement’s era which previously went through the 1860s.
“We want to be as authentic as possible to the respective timeframe with every structure and accessory on the property,” she said. “A teacher would have likely lived very near the school, so we took this opportunity to broaden our covered time period into the early 20th Century.”
Also new is the conversion of a chicken coop into a Cobbler’s Shop.
Other events planned for the year include a Murder Mystery Dinner on May 9, Wine Walk/Beer Browse presented by Beachaven Winery and Tennessee Valley Brewing on May 30, Historic How-To Day on June 27, Mid-Summer Music Festival on July 25, Grandparents Day on August 29, and HarvestFest/Halloween Celebration on October 24 which represents the season closing.
More events waiting to be scheduled are a blacksmith workshop, a pioneer-style cooking event, and a period crafting day. Tickets for all events will be available at www.historiccollinsville.com/events at least one month before the event.
The pioneer settlement opened in 1974 to give children a “hands-on” experience, outside of the classroom, about life during the span from the 1840s through the turn of the century. It has been open to the public since 1997, recreating the past with restored historical structures, each filled with authentic period furnishings that show a glimpse of life before and after the Civil War.
Once at Collinsville, guests can stroll through a re-creation of the past with self-guided tours from the earliest “first home” to the expansive Dogtrot House. During special events, costumed docents offer to perform and explain their day-to-day tasks and offer activities for guests. Other buildings on the settlement include a tobacco-drying house, smokehouse, church, wildlife center, and schoolhouse.
During the regular season, Historic Collinsville is open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Regular admission is free for ages six and under and $7 for ages seven and up. Special Event admission varies. The property is open other days and times for groups of six or more for reservations, rentals, weddings, or special events.
“There’s just so much excitement about what’s happening at the property,” said Ebel. “And, it’s so encouraging to see. We have ideas and projects that will keep us introducing new elements and programming for years, as long as we have adequate funding.”
For more information about Historic Collinsville, upcoming events, or how to sponsor an event, please visit www.historiccollinsville.com, follow them on Facebook, or contact Linda Ebel by phone or email at 931-245-4344 or linda@visitclarksvilletn.com
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