06/11/2026
Harmony Historical Society hosts Southwestern School kids. Passing along our shared history!
Yesterday and today were busy days for our wonderful volunteers at HHS. We enjoyed some of our local school children who visited and learned all about how our ancestors lived back in the 'olden days'.
They visited the Matson House and heard how the home was named, and how it was moved to its current location and restored. They also learned how food was cooked back when there was no electricity, no running water, and no refrigeration.
At the Schoolhouse they learned about the Carpenter family who donated all the land for the school(s), church and the Historical Society. They sat at desks those children from long ago learned from and who 'got' to wear the 'dunce cap". 😉
The kids had a chance to weave cloth in the Nagel Weaving shed and learn about different fabrics and how they were mad, along with the tools of the trade such as the spinning wheel.
At the Doctor's Office they got to see the 'health' of the local patient, hear about old medicines and equipment and even saw the leeches that were used to draw the poison out of a wound!
Our local leather maker was on hand to teach them how to tool leather and make designs, all while learning about leather working in our area back in the late 1800s.
Our tool man Earl Ferry showed the kids the old tools our ancestors used to plow, saw, grind, and more.
The Chautauqua County Bee Keepers Association showed the kids how honey is made, the importance of bees in farming and bee behavior.
We could not do what we do without your help. Please remember us today for Give Big CHQ! We are looking to raise funds for more digital storage and for archival boxes and supplies for the donations we receive. We thank you!
