Meridian Township took a step back in time from the year 2004, making it seem more like 1864.
The Meridian Historical Village, 5151 Marsh Road, in Okemos, came alive Saturday as part of the Meridian Heritage Festival.
Fiddles played in the background as people meandered in and out of six old buildings in the village and volunteers demonstrated various activities from the 1800s such as shelling corn.
"(The festival) is to be able to show the people in community what it was like to live in this area over 100 years ago," said Jane Rose, the Meridian Historical Village Coordinator. "It also teaches about our local history."
The Friends of Historic Meridian work to preserve the village. Since 1974, the group's mission is: "To create and sustain an active appreciate of local history."
The six buildings in the village are from Meridian Township, but have been relocated to the village for exhibition.
JoAnn Chase, a member of the Friends of Historical Meridian and an East Lansing resident, demonstrated how to make sauerkraut at the Grettenberger House, which was built between 1862 and 1865 and was previously located between Grand River Avenue and Hamilton Road in Okemos. It was moved to the village in 1973, which made it the first building to be moved there.
In full 1800s dress, including a bonnet and big white apron, Chase said her husband, a history teacher, influenced her to participate in the festival.
"We've always been interested in historical things and we've lived in the area for about 30 years," she said. "(The festival) attracts people because they want to see the old buildings and see what it was like to live in the olden days."
The Uhruh Barn, built in the 1870s, was previously located on Marsh Road just south of Tihart Road. During the festival it contained the "village blacksmith" who had an array of old tools and knowledge about what life was like as a blacksmith from the time period.
Also in the barn was a corn shelling and grinding exhibit. Corn shelling removes the kernels on an ear of corn in order to prepare it for grinding. Children were given a chance to shell and grind ears of corn.
The village's windmill also was rededicated in a weekend ceremony.
In years past, windmills did more than tell you the wind was blowing. Before electric pumps existed, the windmill generated energy to run machines such as the corn sheller and grinder. It also pumped water from beneath the ground and were mainly seen on farms. Few windmills are used today as they once were; many are used primarily for historic purposes.
Many old crafts also were on display at the festival. Bobbing lace, basket making and quilting were demonstrated throughout the day.
Lori Cotter, the special events chairwoman of the Friends of Historical Meridian, said the crafts are important traditions for the community to hold on to.
"We can't allow these crafts and skills to go," she said. "I'm from Philadelphia and grew up around history - this is our heritage. We've got to bring the community together like this."
