The staff of George Washington Carver National Monument invites you to Prairie Day, September 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Held in conjunction with Gem City Days in Diamond, Prairie Day commemorates George Washington Carver’s childhood environment through storytelling, music, historic skills demonstrations, and interactive exhibits. Volunteers In Parks make this event possible. Co-sponsored by the Carver Birthplace Association, Prairie Day is FREE of charge! Diamond Lions Club will provide food concessions.
Exhibits and demonstrations include Civil War history, archaeology, apple cider making, basket weaving, treadle machine sewing, crocheting, knitting, a quilting bee, woodworking, prairie ecology, pollinators, beekeeping, birds, mammals, fish, and bison history. Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge. Musicians at the music tent include the Vogts Sisters, Abbey Waterworth and Josh Gilbert, and Pickers Post. At the 1881 Carver House, demonstrations include processing and spinning flax, wool spinning, weaving, Dutch oven cooking, lye soap making, food preservation, butter making, and music. Visitors can make butter, dip a candle, and do washboard laundry.