I did the first installment of this in video format, so be sure and check out Part I. It consists of the inside of the main building and has hundreds of things to see. Although I am not pleased with the quality of the pictures in the video format, I did like the ability to add the music to accompany the video. I had to decide whether to sacrifice the photo quality or music, and photo quality won out.
This installment will feature the buildings and other things located on the grounds of the Pioneer Museum. Although it was overcast, we were able to tour all the buildings without getting rained on.
The Pioneer Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts and history. I intend to return and take the twins and Jackson with me. I think they will enjoy it and receive a learning experience in the process. Come journey to a simpler time and place...
The amphitheater: The "seating area" is railroad ties...
Old prisoner railroad car:
Twin steam engine manufactured in 1926 by Hardie-Tynes. It furnished all the power WT Smith #2 Sawmill until 1952 (when the mill was electrified).
In 1950 a man named Greeley McGowin saw a prototype for this Anderson Debarker in Sweden. This was the first sawmill debarker in the Southeast.
Tractors and other farm equipment sure have come a long way. This one doesn't look very comfortable, but it got the job done.
Inside view:
This Corn Cob is a good example of square log construction. This building was located at Carroll Plantation in Dale County, Alabama. It was donated by Mr. Yancey Parker and moved to the museum in 1997.
Inside view:
This log barn was found in Wilcox County, Alabama at Tate Plantation. It was constructed from cedar logs on the property around 1850. The builder and owner later became a Union Officer and served in the area during the Civil War.
This chicken coop was located on the same property as the barn (above) and was moved with the barn to the museum grounds in 2000.
This is the Scout Cabin.
Another cabin nestled on the grounds. The museum uses this one as a demonstration cabin. During field trips, children are allowed to observe various activities.
For some reason the outside photos of the one room school house wouldn't load. I will try again later, but here are the ones of the inside of the building. At some point, someone had taken time to draw a fantastic scene on the chalkboard.
The moon tree, Loblolly Pine: seeds from which this tree grew journey to the moon and back on Apollo 14. Upon return, the seeds were distributed to Forest Research Scientist for testing & propagation at the Forest's Service Institute of Forest Genetics at Gulfport, Mississippi. This moon tree was presented to the museum in 1976.
This train depot was built in 1894 and functional until 1947.
This logging locomotive was built in 1881 and remained in operation until 1927.
The Poole Bridge features a Town (or lattice) truss that was developed by Ithel Town (Connecticut architect) in 1820. Covered bridges were popular from 1830-1940. There are only about a dozen covered bridges left in Alabama and less 900 left in the United States.
Our tour ends at the log church. This church was originally located in Tennille, Alabama.
As I previously said, this is a wonderful place to spend some time journeying back in time. It was well worth the admission price and we will definitely have this on our agenda the next time we have all the children visiting.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 70
NEAT PICTURES THANKS FOR SHARING..
You're welcome, Larry. Thanks for dropping by.
I thoroughly enjoyed this photo essay, Renda! I'm a history buff ... especially of pioneer museums like this. We have similar ones in West Oz but I never tire of seeing them and imagining the people who lived there. The photos are top notch.
I enjoy places like this too, Magi. It makes me envision the ladies in the kitchen or on the porch sewing and the men in the fields. Although things were very simple, it was very hard work. We just think we have it hard, don't we ;)
We do think that ... but we have different pressures and demands - I'm not sure which is tougher.
Put that way, it does make you think. Regardless, we just keep keeping on.
The photos are awesome. This is a pretty cool place. It reminds me of New Salem State Park in Illinois.
Thanks Renee. I have never been to the State Park in Illinois, but if it's anything like this...then I wouldn't mind making the trip. Thanks for coming by.
My old dial up didn't show all the pictures, but I'd like to visit there, too.
I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Maybe you will be able to see them before long. My dad and Dee have dial up too and they have a difficult time seeing some of my photo essays here.
I love places like these to meander around...such interesting artifacts. Never saw a prisoners' car like that.
I do too, Bob. It is nice to be able to see all these things and not be rushed.
Neat pictures!
Thanks, April.
What an awesome photo essay. And it looks like you were pretty much alone on the whole tour or did you have a tour guide? Off to comment on some of the pictures and watch the video.
Katherine,
Yes we were all alone. I do not care much for guided tours because I always feel rushed in those. I was glad to see this one was a "solo" tour. We were able to take our time and explore much of the area. They do have a nature trail we did not go on because of all the rain we've been having.
Hopefully the next time we go, it will be drier and we'll walk the nature trail too. Thanks for all the comments :)
So this place could take up a whole day...is there a picnic area as well? Well, it's an awesome place to visit if you love looking back in history as I do.
Yes, Katherine, it could take up a day (or at least a good part of it). They do, indeed, have a picnic area and restrooms. The picnic area is located near the syrup making shed and the amphitheatre......very shady and looks reasonably comfortable. You would have to bring drinks and eats though :) It is a very neat place.
this is so neat. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome. Glad you stopped by.
Very neat nice pictures
Thank you, Shaunee.
I enjoyed this immensely, and to think I didn't have to pay admission lol! It brings us back to a simple and more carefree time. Although people seemed to work harder, they found more time to be with their families. Something, that although we have all this modern technology, that is suppose to make life easier, too many don't spend time with their families, and many don't even know who their nieghbors are. Makes me wonder.
That is true, Dee. I remember doing various tasks (chores) around the house with my parents, grandparents, etc. We did not sit in front of the TV, game console, etc. When it was time to eat, we sat down as a family and enjoyed the meal and each other's company.
Excellent photo essay! I was particularly taken with the classroom. Thanks for this journey back in time.
The schoolhouse and classroom was very neat, Linda. I am not sure who drew on the chalkboard, but the person is very artistic.
Renda, you did an awesome job on this photo essay . Wonderful photos and information.
Thank you, Phil. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
What a great place you shared with us today. Thanks for posting this to my new group Barns ~ Outbuildings ~ Sheds
You're welcome. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment.
Beautiful photo essay! Your photos are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful place with us.
Thank you for posting your photo essay at Pretty Pictures.
Okay...this is the fourth time I am submitting a comment here. For some reason it isn't liking it. Let's try this again...
You are welcome, Kat. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.
Thank you for the info Renda! YOur picture essay was absolutley beautiful!!!! Some really cozy pics!!!
Deb, I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
Very neat place
It really is pretty neat, Terri.
This is wonderful Renda, you did a fantastic job with the pictures and captions, looks like a great place to visit.
Elsie, it was a lot of fun and very informative. I was able to see items that were like things my grandparents/great grandparents had (brought back fond memories). I also was able to see some things I had not seen before.
Thanks so much for dropping by for a look.
Loved the photos. What a great pic essay. Isn't history fun?
It sure is, Sheryl. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Interesting. I love these historical things.
Me too, Tina. Thanks.
Thanks for posting this to Big Machines
You're welcome, Digital Diva.
What a wonderful place to visit, you really have wonderful photos here. Very interesting.
Thank you, Nana. I'm glad you enjoyed this little trip.
Fantastic photo essay and beautifully presented. Good job
Thank you, Mary. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Renda, beautiful photos and story. This looks like a facinating place to visit. You've reawakened the covered bridge enthusiast in me and perhaps I'll make a point of revisiting Oregon's covered bridges and photographing them this summer. That would be a fun project. I have old film photos of some of them taken long before digital, so it's time for an update.
I'm glad you enjoyed this one. It was a lot of fun to visit. I really like covered bridges too. I would love to see some of your photos...the old or the new ones.
Go out and conquer the project....have fun doing it too :)
I agree,that is a fantasic drawing on the chalkboard. I love viewing these old historic places.
The chickens look ready for my secret recipe or KFC.
Isn't it grand? All of it. You know, chicken sounds good right now. Luckily, I have chicken strips begging to be cooked. No, I will not tell you where I obtained them. <stop looking at me that way> muahhahaaha
Upon closer inspection, I now think this is a Bed&Breakfast in Mobile. Did you lend them your good utensils?
Heck no. I made them pay for them. Gotta pay bills you know.
Will you at least tell me the chicken's feather color? I think about this a lot when eating bird.
And if I told you it was a brilliant purple with small pink flecks, what would you say? (please do not spit chicken crumbs out)
I hate to interrupt William's lunch but I thought I'd stop in and say these are great photos. :-)
Oh, and I thought your video was coolio, but I can see why -- since you KNEW the photos were good -- it must have been hard to sacrifice their quality.
Ha Tracy. I think Bill is out wringing necks and plucking feathers now.
I liked the video too, but after I saw it on Gather...I realized how POOR the picture quality looked. Since I have never posted a video here, I did not realize how much it changed photos. Regardless, it is what it is.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I need to swing by your posts and see what you've been up to.
Now you make me visit this place...
I really love each snap and watch them with keen interest...
Oh, such a great photo essay, one of the most brilliant works here in gather.com...
Thank you, Syed. You are too kind. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Renda, excellent photo essay. I love historic places like that and don't mind spending time wandering about. It's like if you stand there long enough you feel the connection to the people who lived in those houses.
There is one in our area, I've been to during a festival once, but I'd love to go back and take some pics now. You are inspiring me - we'll see what the weather gods have to say..
Oh good, Rose! I enjoy your essays and would love to see the area you have near you like this. Maybe you will get to do it before too long. I like places such as this too. You are right, it is almost like you have some kind of connection if you're there long enough.
Here's wishing you good weather! Thanks again for visiting.
looks like a great place to visit.
It is, JoAnn. Thanks for dropping by.
very cool. I'd love to visit there
It is really neat, Renita. Thanks!
Ren-We have lots of places to visit together. The pics are excellant as always :)
Thanks Kay :) You guys load up and come on. It will soon be time for summer break and you guys can come spend some time here...you know you are always welcome. Bring Boss too :)
Thanks for sharing. Just letting you know your content has reached 25 comments and has been removed from !!Need More Points!!