Eatonton’s Old School History Museum (OSHM) at The Plaza Arts Center hosted its annual Ice Cream Social Aug. 15, drawing crowds for a day of old-fashioned fun and community fellowship.
“We’re so happy with the big turnout,” OSHM Director Sandra Rosseter said, emphasizing that it took a team effort to make the event possible. “We worked hard to make sure there was something for everyone to enjoy at this free-to-attend event.”
Of course, no ice cream social would be complete without ice cream. Owners David and Jesse Hodge of downtown Eatonton’s Crooked D Creamery were on hand to give museum visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how their ice cream is made before treating them to free samples of a unique strawberry-lemonade flavor.
Local families also took part in carnival-style outdoor games and other activities that encouraged visitors of all ages to get involved.
Inside The Plaza, members of The Arts Barn hosted cake walks, group dances and clogging throughout the day, with everyone invited to join in.
Lora Garcia-Carreras, founder and director of The Arts Barn, offered special thanks to everyone who helped make the event a success and encouraged visitors to stop by the Arts Barn booth to learn more about the organization’s programs and offerings.
A face-painting station and classic games such as Connect Four also provided entertainment for visitors looking to escape the oppressive August heat.
Meanwhile, Georgia Benjamin-Smith of Eatonton’s Uncle Remus Museum shared stories from the past inside The Plaza’s historic grade-school classroom — a place where she once attended school as a young student.
Miss Georgia invited guests to sit behind one of the classroom desks and be transported back in time through her vibrant and humorous storytelling.
A barbershop quartet performed outside the OSHM entrance as visitors enjoyed hot dogs, popcorn, and watermelon. The homemade fruity ice cream was scooped and served to happy guests throughout the afternoon.
The free event helped strengthen community spirit and togetherness through the efforts of volunteers and OSHM board members.
OSHM has more events planned as it continues to live up to its slogan, “Preserving the past for the future.”
The museum’s “Sunday at The Museum” lecture series will return Sunday, Oct. 4, featuring Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.
OSHM is open for docent-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
For more information, visit oldschoolhistorymuseum.org or search for Old School History Museum on Facebook.