Downstairs inside the Museum was an exhibit call "Reel to Real." The "Reel" part contained many original items from the film, Gone with the Wind. This included clothing items worn by the main characters, Vivian Lee and Clark Gable, items from the set, manuscripts, tickets for the original screening and posters. It was really neat.
The "Real" part in the adjoining rooms contained details and artifacts from what life was really like in Arkansas during this time. Needless to say, it wasn't easy. Cotton was king and much of life in Arkansas centered around agriculture.
Outside, the houses on the grounds were open with docents in the role of lawyers, cooks, boatmen, trappers, spinners and weavers. One of our first stops outside was where a woman was making cornbread over live coals (yep - we headed to the food first). When she turned it out, it reminded us of my mother's cornbread. We also got to taste some - it was delicious.
We saw a man making rope out of small twine. Kids were helping him and got to keep the piece of rope they helped make. We also got to enjoy fiddle music by Ricky Russell. We stopped in to see women spinning cotton and others cooking in the kitchen (again over an open fire).
We got to join in the garland parade - yipee. Here I am ready to go. Yes, I tried my best to get out of this but to no avail.
After the parade, Rosie joined the Maypole dance. This one I did avoid!
Unwinding the ribbons was a bit more difficult that putting them on.
We also saw some "new recruits" for the Union army. The age cut-off must be pretty low. They were learning how to stand at attention and march.
There were a lot of historical games for the kids to try. Here's a table filled with different games.
Here's one of the docents walking on stilts. She did a pretty good job.
Did you know tea could be pressed into a tablet and used for making a cup of tea? I didn't. The docent is holding up a block of tea. This block would sell for $100-$200 about 150 years ago. Wow - it would be worth its weight in gold today (assuming there's a demand for pressed tea tablets).
Looking over the wall we saw some really pretty wildflowers planted in the intersection. They were really colorful.
We walked by a law office that was ready to meet your every legal need. 
In the atrium of the building Lark in the Morning (a 2-man band) was playing Celtic-Ozark music. We could really hear the Celtic influence in the songs - very interesting.
It was a great day. I'm ready to head back next year.
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