Published: October 06, 2008 10:54 pm      

Celebrating history

Pioneer Village to celebrate 50th anniversary Saturday

From Staff Reports



From what began as a conversation between two people over a cup of coffee at the old Navarro Hotel, Corsicana’s Pioneer Village will celebrate its 50th anniversary Saturday with a day of exhibits, music, dancing and food.

Pioneer Village, located in Jester Park, is home to 18 historical structures representative of Navarro County’s past history. A log cabin owned by Dr. Cooksey of Chatfield was the first exhibit obtained by the Navarro County Historical Society to make its way to the permanent home of the artifacts of Navarro County life. A total of 13 buildings on exhibit are original historic structures; five others were built on site at Pioneer Village.

Saturday’s celebration will include several period demonstrations, including a trunk exhibit by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an “old west” saloon selling bowls of Wolf Brand chili, wagon rides, carriage rides, story telling, dance exhibits and several re-enactments throughout the day. Al Hopkins and the Wolf Brand chili car will also take part in the celebration.

Also featured will be a Civil War re-enactment, an exhibit by an “Indian Trader” and a demonstration of what the life of a pioneer woman was like in the late 1700s and early 1800s, featuring American Indian Horses.

A special tribute is planned at 10:30 a.m. Saturday honoring the late Roy Miller of KAND Radio. Miller was an active member of the Navarro County Historical Society, and played a major role in the establishment of the Lefty Frizzell Museum located in Pioneer Village. A plaque honoring Miller will be placed in the museum, funded by sales of a CD containing a song honoring Miller, written and recorded by Corsicana resident Stan Lawhon.

Music planned for the day includes Bluegrass, Gospel, Blues and Country. A clog dancing performance and Mexican folk dancers will also be featured during the day’s activities.

For more information about Saturday’s 50th anniversary celebration, contact the Pioneer Village office at (903) 654-4846.