Discover what life would have been like for a child growing up in a Florida farming and ranching community over 100 years ago! Educators in historic dress will welcome guests to the 1885 Carlton House, Okahumpka Depot, Terry Store, School House and more authentic structures. Students will learn cowhunter skills, like how to read a cattle brand and what to pack for a long cattle drive.

Each young learner will enjoy demonstrations of daily chores and skills such as butter churning, laundry, cattle roping and a period school house lesson.

Activities:

• See our model train display

• Explore our historic buildings

• Learn to read cattle brands

• Help with old fashioned laundry

• Print a post card on an antique printing press

• Practice a lesson in a one-room school house

• Try out turn-of-the-century toys

• and more!

Bring a Picnic Lunch: Picnic tables are available for a picnic lunch.

Lecture Add-on: People of 1890s Florida: Who Lived Here?
Price: $2 add-on to Homeschool Day general admission ticket
Ages: The lecture is designed for students aged 12-18
Time: 45 minute lecture starts at 11am
From the first Native Americans to Europeans, such as Spanish, French, and English colonizers, along with a broad range of peoples from Africa, throughout history, Florida has been a habitat for many unique cultures.  By the 1890s, numerous races, ethnicities, nationalities, and creeds called Florida home. 

Come join us on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Cracker Country on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, as we highlight the many cultures present in Florida during the late nineteenth century.  While younger students and parents can enjoy Cracker Country’s many old buildings, learn how Floridians lived in the 1890s, and discover the differences and similarities between their lives and the lives of children over 100 years ago, teenaged students and adults can opt to explore Florida’s wide range of cultures further in a special lecture in Governor’s Inn given by college professor Gary G. DeSantis. 

Shopping: There are lots of unique items to be found at the General Store! The store features nostalgic and reproduction items, historical toys and games, books, candy, and many other unique gift items. The General Store accepts cash, Visa, Master Card, and personal checks with ID. Proceeds from sales in the General Store help support Cracker Country's education programs.

General Pricing: $11 per person 4 years old and up, children 3 years old and younger will be admitted for FREE. Advance ticket purchase required- this is a very popular event and there are limited tickets available. Tickets only available online. All ticket sales are final.

Parking: Free parking - enter Orient Rd only. Please follow the directions listed on our website and not GPS. Directions