OCTOBER 2024

(MD) Ongoing: First Friday of Month, OLD JAIL MUSEUM: EXTENDED HOURS DURING LEONARDTOWN FIRST FRIDAYS, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Old Jail Museum, 41625 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The Old Jail Museum, a well-known landmark in the heart of Leonardtown and one of the four museums and historic sites overseen by the St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, will be open to the public for extended hours on Leonardtown First Fridays. Staff will be on-hand to showcase the Old Jail and its interesting story. A special exhibit regarding Benjamin Hance, a young African American man who was held at the Old Jail in 1887 and later killed by a local mob, will be on display. Hance is the only documented lynching victim recorded in St. Mary’s County. The museum’s regular daily hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE to all ages. For more information about the Old Jail Museum, special hours, contact information, updates and much more, please visit Facebook.com/TheOldJailMuseum.

October 4th & 5th, 2024, ZOAR VILLAGE:  THE PRESIDENTS SCHOOL DAY, 10am-2pm.  The Zoar Store & Visitor’s Center, 198 Main St, Zoar, Ohio 44697, 330-874-3011, zoarinfo@historiczoarvillage.com. Students will have the opportunity to meet some US Presidents from various eras from 1817-1898 covering Zoar’s history. Other characters from Zoar’s history will also be found throughout the village. Presidential activities and games will be held throughout the village along with museum tours and demonstrations. $7 per student, one adult is free per group, additional adults are $7 each. Children 5 and under are free. historiczoarvillage.com.

(MS) Oct. 4, 2024, BUGFEST 2024! 9:30 am to 4 pm. All ages, children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  The Crosby Arboretum, a division of Mississippi State University Extension, 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, MS 39466, 601-799-2311 ext. 0, barb.medlock@msstate.edu. School groups, nature enthusiasts and the public can enjoy two fun-filled days of exciting, hands-on learning about the environment, ecosystems, wildlife, and insects at the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. BugFest offers insect-related displays, interactive exhibits, games and crafts. Biologists, naturalists, entomologists and other experts from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama will host booths and give presentations on butterflies, bats, caterpillars, beetles, crayfish, ladybugs, hissing cockroaches, dancing praying mantises, native and exotic arthropods and more.  This is a no-kill event. Cost of Event: children 12 and under – $2, adults and children over 12 – $5, On Friday: one adult homeschool teacher per child, no charge. Please call and register school groups of 10 or more. www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu.

(MS) Oct. 5, 2024, BUGFEST 2024! 9 am to 2 pm. All ages, children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  The Crosby Arboretum, a division of Mississippi State University Extension, 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, MS 39466, 601-799-2311 ext. 0, barb.medlock@msstate.edu. School groups, nature enthusiasts and the public can enjoy two fun-filled days of exciting, hands-on learning about the environment, ecosystems, wildlife, and insects at the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. BugFest offers insect-related displays, interactive exhibits, games and crafts. Biologists, naturalists, entomologists and other experts from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama will host booths and give presentations on butterflies, bats, caterpillars, beetles, crayfish, ladybugs, hissing cockroaches, dancing praying mantises, native and exotic arthropods and more.  This is a no-kill event. Cost of Event: children 12 and under – $2, adults and children over 12 – $5, On Friday: one adult homeschool teacher per child, no charge. Please call and register school groups of 10 or more. www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu.

(MD) October 5. 2024, DRAYDEN AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOLHOUSE FREE OPEN HOUSE, 11 am to 2 pm, 18287 Cherryfield Road, Drayden, MD 20630, (301) 994-1471, smmuseumdivision@gmail.com.  The Drayden African American Schoolhouse is one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses, and its story represents a significant part of St. Mary’s County’s African American history. Visitors are invited to learn more about the restored schoolhouse, its rich history and importance to education in St. Mary’s County. Hear the real stories about how African American students learned in this school up until the mid-20th century. All ages are welcome, and admission is free. Facebook.com/DraydenSchool.

(PA) October 11, 2024, HANDS-ON HARVEST HOME SCHOOL DAY, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Old Economy Village, 270 Sixteenth S, Ambridge, PA 15003, (724) 266-4500, RA-PHOldEconomy@pa.gov. Explore the “Village” and learn about the fall harvest. Experience the tasks that the Harmonists performed to prepare for the coming winter. The buildings will be open for families to explore and tour throughout the day. There will be a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations that will teach both adults and kids alike about life in the 1830s.  $5 per child and adult. At least 1 adult is required for each family or group. Visit our website to register or call 724-266-4500 ext.110 today! www.oldeconomyvillage.org.

(MD) October 12, 2024, SATURDAYS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES:  SPOOKY GHOSE LEAVES, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. All ages. St. Clement’s Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road in Colton’s Point. You are invited to enjoy new outdoor activities while visiting the St. Clement’s Island Museum on the second Saturday of the month. Modeled loosely after “Forest School” learning styles in Denmark and Sweden, the Nature & Forest Play for All Ages Series encourages discovering nature through hands-on, tactile, “no right or wrong way to play” experiences. Age is not a factor; adults need to connect with nature in relaxing, simple ways, just as much as children do!  Price is included in regular museum admission. Save the dates and call ahead to pre-register! More information: (301) 769-2222 or Facebook.com/SCIMuseum.

(SC) October 19, 2024, FALL FISSION FESTIVAL, 1:00-4:00 pm. This is a family event for all ages. The SRS Museum at 224 Laurens St. SW in downtown Aiken and the Mill parking lot at the corner of Park and Laurens Streets, 224 Laurens St. SW, Aiken, SC 29801, 803-648-1437, srsmusuem@gmail.com/ The Fall Fission Festival celebrates the importance and excitement of science by highlighting local exhibitors who will feature hands-on STEM activities, giveaways, and prizes at each station.  A mad scientist will perform experiments, food trucks will offer delicious treats, a DJ and folk group will provide entertainment, and the museum will be open for free tours.  We encourage children to wear their Halloween costumes and participate in our costume contest for fun prizes.  Inside the museum will be a quiet zone where children can create with our STEM bins and read science related books.  This is a free, family friendly community event! Free! SRSHeritageMuseum.org.