Every summer, Museum Day at the Pioneer Home Museum gives the public an opportunity to buy their noon lunch and enjoy it on the spacious grounds.
For this year’s event, Aug. 9, barbecue chefs from the fire department, Curtis Smith, Ryan Hayden and Jaxon Hayden, grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for the lineup of hungry guests. Music with vocalist Dorothy Roach played gently in the background.
Stepping back in time, the museum staff in period costumes guided guests on Toonie Tours (cost $2) through the historic treasures within the home.
Other creative additions this year included a butter churning demonstration with Karel Munchinsky’s antique churn. Iris Munchinsky sketched portraits and filled in as children’s face-painter.
Museum board Treasurer Susan Ivey said, “We had a very supportive crowd of visitors attending this special fundraising event to support our Museum Day and barbecue.”
She worked at the Fundraising table where one of the Find the Joker 50/50 Draw boards was completely sold.
“The day after Museum Day, the summer students had the job of taking off all the playing cards until they found the Joker card. The winning name on the card was Marla Wilson. She won $132.50.
“We had a fantastic group of volunteers again this year to help with all the various duties,” said Ivey.
With a desire to preserve and maintain this one-of-a-kind museum for generations to come, the board continues in their drive to raise $150,000 to maximize their heritage endowment fund.
The museum has a table at the Friday morning Virden Farmers’ market where the 50/50 contest continues.
