Pioneer Day

 This event, sponsored annually by the Lincoln County Historical Society, will feature living-history demonstrations, great food, great entertainment, and much more. Pioneer Day is the Historical Society’s premium event and typical attendance is approximately 3000. New for this year - entertainment will focus on Olde Time Mountain Music and Barn Dancing. The Lincoln County Historical Society is a non-profit association organized to perpetuate the history of the economic and cultural activities of the citizens of Lincoln County, Georgia. The Lincoln County Historical Parkwas created over the last 30 years by the Historical Society from a bare tract of land, using lots of elbow grease and almost completely volunteer labor. The first building was moved to the park in 1987; the most recent one was added in May 2010.

How many: This is the 24th Pioneer Day, held annually every year except 2020.

Why do we do this? This is our one opportunity of the year to welcome families and children of all ages to our Park. It will be a family friendly day of fun-filled events which gives us an opportunity to show off the Lincoln County Historical Park, the product of 30 years of hard work by the members of Lincoln County Historical Society. It allows us to display our treasures for younger generations and helps us keep our history alive. Historical Society Event Coordinator Gary Edwards said, “It’s a fun event and it’s the only time of the year that we actually operate every attraction in the park. It’s worth the drive no matter how far you come.  Great Southern Cooking, family entertainment, barn dancing and living history demonstrations, you won’t want to miss it!”

Attractions:

• Olde Time Mountain Music at various venues around the park.
• Barn Dancing in the Lewis Family Pavilion
• Bunch-Poss Gristmill – Built in the late 1930s, the mill was moved from its location on  Ward Avenue to the historical park in the summer of 2005 and since then has undergone extensive renovations. Donated by Jackie and Alex Willingham, the gristmill was in operation until the late 1970s.
• Salem Academy, a one-room school house dating back to the early 1900s. The school building, along with its      "outdoor plumbing," (a four-holer outhouse) were carefully transported from Salem Baptist Church to the historical park in July of 2006.
• The Andrew Jackson Reid Log Cabin. Built around 1800, the 16' x 22' structure boasts two porches, wooden-shutter windows, an open-face fireplace, and a variety of period furnishings. Although the builder of the cabin is      unknown, records show that it was once the home of Civil War Veteran Andrew Jackson Reid.
• The      Hogan Blacksmith Shop - This building contains two forges, one run with bellows and the other with a hand-turned blower. It is a replica of the old blacksmith shop on the "Hollenshead Place" on the Augusta Highway.
• The      Groves-May House - Built in the 1878 and appointed with period furnishings, the two-story house serves as the focal point of the park.  Quilts will be on display here during Pioneer Day.
• Doctor's Office - Built by Dr. E.R. May, the office houses medical equipment donated to the historical society by Dr. Weems Pennington, Sr.; his wife, Margaret; and others.
• The F.M. Hogan General Store - Relocated  to the park from the Woodlawn Community of Lincoln County.  An excellent example of a country store. Baked goods and other hand-made items will be on sale here during Pioneer Day.
• Rees Cotton Gin - This animal-powered cotton gin dates back to the 1840s and was manufactured in Clinton, Georgia (Jones County). This is one of the few remaining operational animal powered cotton gins in the country.
• The Estes, Lake and Ferguson Smokehouse - The smokehouse was one of the first buildings acquired by the society. Built  around 1790, it was previously located on the "Estes Place" on Lovelace Road in Lincoln County.
• Corncrib - This 8' x 10' structure came from the "Old Frank Hardy Place" on the Augusta Highway. The unshucked corn was dug out of the crib with a pitchfork. Two sides of the structure have been converted into a concession stand.
• The Adamson Family Turpentine Still from Glenville Georgia.
• The Glaze Sawmill. This 1950s vintage portable sawmill was purchased by the Historical Society in the late 1990s      in Royston Georgia. It was originally used on the Glaze Farm in Lincoln County. It is fully operational and is used by      the Society for maintenance of the Park.
• The Tenant House. Moved in May 2010 from about 4 miles away on White Rock Road; its restoration was completed in late 2011.
• Antique Tractor Display. People’s Choice awards with cash prizes.
• Family Entertainment at the Lewis Family Pavilion. This 60' x 60' multi-purpose structure features a stage, restrooms, storage rooms, and slatted wooden pews. The building was officially named after "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music" at a special ceremony held at the park in May of 2003. The Lewis Family gave their final      performance here in November 2009.
• An antique car show featuring cars from before WWII. People’s Choice awards with cash prizes.
• Living history demonstrations including blacksmithing, corn grinding, cotton ginning, syrup making, and operation of the sawmill.

What’s to eat? Southern Cooking at its best. Apple Fritters, Red Beans and Rice, Chicken and Dumplings, Sausage Biscuits, Turnip Greens, Hoe Cakes, and for the young folks, we’ll also have hot dogs, BBQ and chips.

What’s for sale? A variety of items will be for sale from the Society and a selected group of vendors including arts and crafts, honey, home-canned jellies, preserves and vegetables, grits, cakes, pies, cookies, candies, syrup and Southern Cooking at its best.

How can I help?  Volunteers are needed to help out with the event; those interested should contact Event Coordinator Gary Edwards at (757) 831-9556 or by email at edwardsgw@nu-z.net. Find us on facebook at lincolncountyhistoricalsocietyga.org.