The only wires at the Dudley Farm Historic State Park are used for the turkey and chicken fencing.
The authentic, 19th-century working farm hosted its annual Plow Days, bringing in about 350 people Friday and almost 430 people Saturday. Visitors were able to visualize the farm’s original use through demonstrations of horse plowing, crocheting, hand-washing linen and several other traditional skills.
Once visitors entered the park, they walked a muddy trail alongside cattle to enter life in the 1800s with the Dudley family. They could tour the Dudley farmhouse, which smells of antique wood and is filled with remnants of the Dudleys’ past.
Volunteers shared stories of what life was like in the house. Three-year-old Jane Nelson held onto a corn husk volunteers gave her to craft dolls or flowers out of as she explored the front yard.
Her mother, Cami Nelson, leaned down to ask her daughter what part of the tour had been her favorite. After thinking for a few moments, she yelled, “The horses!”
This year was Nelson’s first time participating in Plow Days. She said it was something fun for her and her friend to take their kids to on a Saturday afternoon.
Nelson and her children watched horse-drawn wagons till the field, then visited with Vada Horner, 68, at the washing station.
Horner, a volunteer at the park for nine years, thinks it’s important for children to see their heritage.
One of Horner’s main concerns is Florida’s budget cuts on state parks.
Out of Florida’s 160 state parks, 53 have the potential to close. She said they will have to wait to hear from the governor about where they stand on the issue.
“It’s amazing how many people show up when they think it’s about to close,” Horner said.
The Plow Days’ blacksmith is the last stop for most visitors on the self-guided tour. Raymond Macatee, 70, has been welding for more than 60 years. He also told his audience about the possibility of the park closing.
“We need to preserve our history,” Macatee said.
