Living-history for Kids during balloon festival

AUBURN — The Knight House will be open for a kids’ Living History Day Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Great Falls Balloon Festival. The Androscoggin Historical Society has put together a program called “Work … then Play,” which will give children of all ages an insight into daily lives in the 19th century.

Located on the Auburn side of the falls, the Knight House, built in 1796, is the oldest house in the downtown. It sits near the Downing Shoe Shop, where shoes used to be made by hand; both buildings will be open for tours at the same hours.
The various activity stations are hands-on experiences to learn about hauling water with a shoulder yoke, washing clothes with a scrub board and home-made soap, wringing clothes with a wringer, wool-carding, grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, and making kindling. Play activities include tops, hoop rolling, pick-up sticks, graces and ball-and-cup.
The Society hopes to see families and individuals looking for activities after the balloon launches on Saturday morning. The Knight House can be found along the Auburn Riverwalk beside the Androscoggin River waterfalls next to the Esplanade senior housing facility. For more information, one may call 207-784-0586.

Caption:
During last year’s program, children used a hand-powered clothes wringer after washing.