Hands On History

By Cyndee Pattison

Every year during the first week of June, the Delaware County Historical Association devotes two separate days to immerse Delaware County fourth grade students in a program titled Produce, Preserve and Play Day designed to expose them to various historical activities, some of which still exist today. Last week, fourth graders from Delaware Academy, Franklin, Stamford, Andes, South Kortright, Charlotte Valley and Downsville Central Schools, and Sidney Center Elementary School viewed demonstrations and experienced activities such as blacksmithing, candle making, weaving and spinning, sheep herding, square dancing and a guided nature trail walk. Delaware County Historian Pat Grimes taught students about Native Americans who resided in the Catskills and demonstrated the atlatl, a device used throughout the world beginning about 30,000 years ago to hunt and fish, which was the precursor to the bow and arrow.