OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Fort King National Historic Landmark hosted Pioneer Women’s History Days on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests could walk around the grounds and experience historical displays that may have been seen from pioneer women to celebrate and remember the contributions of women in history.

The main section of the event took place under the tiki hut where new and recurring volunteers dressed in historical clothing from the period. Women performed live demonstrations for guests, showcasing some of the methods that would be used for crafting specified items during the time. These demonstrations included a food demonstration with butter making, bag making, using a cotton gin and making ice cream. Rather than live demonstrations, other volunteers showcased items and explained how they were made. These included soaps, candles and toys.

A variety of cooking materials are displayed on tables and in a wooden box on top of a green tap in a grass field under a canopy.
Tote bags with flower designs are hanging on a metal rod on a sunny day with a grass field in the background.
A tiki hut covers a patch of gravel. Multiple tables are lined under the hut with historical reenactment actors showcasing a variety of items and doing displays. Visitors walk around the tables, learning about the reenactments.
Handmade soaps are displayed on a tablecloth with a floral pattern. Small bags feature samples of the soaps.
A woman in historical clothing sits on a chair over a patch of gravel. Around her are historical items such as a barrel, sewing kit, backdrop displaying an old kitchen, a bench and more. The woman sews a tote bag while explaining the process and the bags uses in history.
A young child plays with a historic item while a reenactment actress watches. Behind the boy is a table full of historic items for sale.
A group of reenactment actors stand together behind a table filled with candles and handmade soaps. In the background is a forested area. Above them is a tiki hut.
Historical reenactors perform a live demonstration to a group of guests watching from a short distance.
A woman dressed in historical-themed clothing demonstrated how to use a small, hand-crank cotton gin to separate seeds from cotton.

Walking toward the fort, there was a small wood carving station where guests could watch volunteer, Richie Thompson, carve and craft wooden stilts while learning how he makes them. Inside the fort was an activity area where kids played tug of war, threw frisbees and more. Inside one of the towers, families could have their photos taken and digitally altered by Kay Johnson to look like a 19th century photograph. This new feature to Fort King events allows guests to choose a historical outfit from a table of clothes prior to getting their photo taken inside the tower for Johnson to edit.

A man walks on handmade stilts, walking in a grass field with Fort King National Historic Landmark in the background and his workshop to the right.
Parents watch as young children play tug of war in an open field of grass. Behind the group is a large, wooden wall.
A computer displays an image with a group of people in historical clothing with an antique look.

Inside of the Fort King Heritage Foundation building near the fort, a small museum of artifacts and educational information were on display for guests to see. Further toward the back of the building, a small tea party was being hosted. A table with small pastries displayed on decorative dishes was available for guests to enjoy. Nearby was another table with teacups, sugar, honey and more for guests to create customized tea to enjoy.

Honey sticks, a sugar bowl and various customizable tea additions are displayed in decorative teacups.
An elegant tea display stands on a table with a floral tablecloth.
A reenactment actor stands behind a table of small pastries on decorative displays.