GREENVILLE — The Darke County Park District and Friends of Bear’s Mill are announce a new field trip opportunity for all fourth-grade students in Darke County.

The field trip will be held at Bear’s Mill on May 10 and 11. Students will step back in time to the 1800s where things were simpler, yet harder. At the site of Historic Bear’s Mill, they will feel as if they are the farmer bringing their grain in by wagon, the miller cleaning and grinding the grain with water power, and even the wife baking the bread and cornmeal over the fire. These activities are just a portion of what is planned of their day; hands-on tinsmith and blacksmith workshops, pioneer life/toys, and candle dipping will complete their day.

This project is funded in part by the Ohio History Fund, a grant program of the Ohio History Connection. The Ohio History Fund is made possible by voluntary contributions of state income tax refunds, sales of Ohio History “mastodon” license plates, and other donations.

The Ohio History Fund awarded Darke County Parks $15,860 to fund the first two years of this annual event. The Darke County Parks and Friends of Bear’s Mill are matching $11,973 to get this project started. This funding makes it possible to provide all activities, including bussing, making it free of charge to the students and school corporations.

The Mission of the Darke County Park District is to acquire and preserve land areas possessing special natural and historical features and to manage and maintain these resources for the benefit of its residents through appropriate educational and passive recreational programs and activities. The staff of Darke County Parks are grateful for the financial support of the Ohio History Fund, as well as the dedication of local sponsors and volunteers to make new educational events like this happen.

For more information, please contact Sophie Nieport at 937-548-0165 or [email protected].