COURTLAND
The Southampton Heritage Village and Agriculture and Forestry Museum is hosting its 11th-annual “Down Home Day” on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the family-oriented program is $5 for adults and $2 for students.

The museum is located at 26135 Heritage Lane, adjacent from the Museum of Southampton History, both of which will be open to the public for a small donation. This history museum will feature old-fashioned military uniforms and memorabilia, an operational train room and a prehistoric exhibit.

Several other activities are planned for the afternoon, according to Lynda Updike, president of the Southampton Historical Society.

“This offers a chance to step back in time for a few hours and enjoy life at a slower pace,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for grandparents to bring their grandchildren and teach them what life was like when they were young.

“A trip down memory lane.”

Activities include “milking” Mattie the plastic cow; music from local musician Jimmy Ricks and his Shiloh Grass band; a mule-handling demonstration by Blair Bunn; a petting zoo with goats, sheep, lambs, chickens, rabbits and ducks; sheep sheering; antique cars; and train rides.

Visitors can watch a 1920s sawmill saw pine logs or a local blacksmith exhibit his skills; see how a printing press works; or enjoy cornbread from a restored grist mill. If the cornbread doesn’t fill you up, hot dogs and other snacks will be available for purchase.

In addition to the activities, visitors are welcome to tour the museum, which includes a country store, single-room school, country dwelling, doctor’s office, post office, outhouses, kitchen, barbershop and church.

For more information, contact Updike at 654-6785, or visit http://www.franklinsouthamptonva.com/events/index/view/id/78/.