Date & Time: November 9, 2026 10am-2pm
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 explore how to grow plants in Florida, get their hands dirty in our garden, learn about the parts of a plant, and how pollinators help us grow plants.
Each young learner will enjoy hands-on demonstrations of daily chores and skills such as butter churning, laundry, garden chores, a nature scavenger hunt and a period schoolhouse lesson. Students will also discover how Florida plants helped sustain pioneer families and shaped life in early Florida communities.
Activities:
- See our model train display
- Explore our historic buildings
- Learn the difference between cotton and wool
- Help with old fashioned laundry
- See our blacksmith at work
- Get your hands dirty in our kitchen garden
- Sample sugar cane syrup
- Try out turn-of-the-century toys
- Make a corn husk doll $1 each
- and more!
Lecture Add-on: Florida plants and history
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
Bring a Picnic Lunch: Picnic tables are available for a picnic lunch.
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 and all major credit cards. Proceeds from sales in the General Store help support Cracker Country's education programs.
General Pricing: $14 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
