sauder village’s little pioneers homestead

By Marissa Mullett

Photos courtesy Sauder Village

Little Pioneers Homestead, a new addition to Historic Sauder Village in Fulton County, is an educational treat for children ages 18 months to 8 years. Kim Krieger, director of marketing at Sauder Village, said since the Little Pioneer Homestead opened, it has been a popular destination for parents to take their children and for grandparents to take their grandchildren.

Children can learn through all of their senses at the Little Pioneers Homestead. At Mary Ann’s Cabin, a real life-sized cabin that features child-sized furniture, kids get creative and use their imagination as they “play pioneer.” Churning butter, trying on bonnets and cooking wood food over a mock fireplace are a few ways Mary Ann’s Cabin encourages young minds to participate in history.

A second feature of Little Pioneers Homestead is the children’s garden. This hands-on garden has various learning activities that change from season to season.

The Miller Barn features the popular Holstein cow replica kids can milk. Other learning opportunities at the Miller Barn include egg gathering, horseshoeing and animal care.

For some children, a trip to the Little Pioneers Homestead is the first time they learn about the reality of food production. Krieger explained that some kids don’t recognize carrots when costumed employees pull them out of the ground during a demonstration. “Today some kids think carrots are two inches long and come out of a plastic bag,” she said.

Little Pioneers Homestead was a result of two years of planning and collaboration. Krieger explained that teachers, mothers, village staff as well as the local Farm Bureau were instrumental in planning the educational facility for youngsters.

Sauder Village’s mission of providing experiences rich in history, hospitality, creativity and fun is upheld with the addition of the Little Pioneers Homestead. Krieger explained that the expansion was a way to fulfill this mission for its youngest visitors.

Marissa Mullett is a freelance writer from Union County.

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