On Saturday we went to the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center for the Dinosaur Party. In addition to the usual exhibits, the event featured a number of dino items and with Jude’s recent fascination and a cost of “FREE” i don’t think we could pass it up.

I have run the trails around the site a lot in the past, but have never been in the building. There is a wonderful display of exhibits. As always I was drawn to the local history, but the water room was excellent. The display was geared to kids interactive exposure. There was an image overlay topographic sandbox, I was more excited than the kids about that one. Several stations explained water filtration and and the various portions of the water cycle. You can ride a bicycle that is geared to transport water about 10 feet up into a bin to explain pressure. A kid level water table allows for the explanation of water flow and how a mill operates at a fall. It is a good learning activity.

The kids enjoyed the dino items. One interactive exhibit had a dino bone that the kids had to reassemble. Isla took the opportunity to dress up as a dino and sit on a nest of eggs, with a very effective growl I might add. Eleanor enjoyed magnification of shells and any craft related activities. The displays were kid friendly and most of them encouraged touching. The cut aways of eggs was really unique to see.

In one room there was a series of bones, reconstructions, and activities hosted by the Paleontological Association of Georgia. What made this group so wonderful was passion. They were volunteers who do these type of engagement events because they love it. There fine people were the most informative and engaging of anyone at the dino portion of the show. They took time to answer questions, explain fossils, and give examples. I hope when I do living history that people feel the same way this group made me feel. There was palpable enjoyment in their education. To see Jude stay so focused on an adult talking about dinosaurs was an image that burns in my mind.

While we moved through the building i took time to observe the permanent exhibits highlighting Gwinnett’s history. Gwinnett had done a good job of presenting the story line in these exhibits. There was a number of unique artifacts from Gwinnett’s history. I got to show Eleanor some of Gid Tanner’s items and remind her she went with me to his Grandson’s house for some guitar work. Isla enjoyed being able to touch so many items. The displays have dozens of old photos and I got to show Jude a picture of my 3X Great Grandfather who ran a Hat factory in Gwinnett in the 1860s.

The line to ride the Dino Tram was extremely long and we were able to persuade the kids that they could either pick a tram ride or a restaurant, they selected a restaurant. First, we walked through the Chesser-Williams house and the associated farming displays. The barn was off limits account 2 vultures had decided to nest within its environs. The shed behind the house contained some well preserved farm equipment. An old farm engine, a pea thrash, corn sheller, Meadows Grist Mill, and an Ottawa cutting saw. I was most excited about touring the house and finding the apple.

The 1800s house is unique not only because of its age, but also because of its decor. When a travelling German Artist came though in the 1800s, he traded room and board for his painting services. The painter covered the front exterior and the first two interior rooms with art. Through the years the paint remained and is now a fine display of American Folk Art. Before Gerald and Sue Williams donated the house to Gwinnett county, my parents got to walk though it at the original location. Gerald showed my parents the room he slept in as a child, it had a string of apples in place of crown molding. There was one apple that Mr. Williams said he would stare at from his bed every night, it had a bite taken out of it. The docent that was serving as host was friendly and knowledgeable. When most of a group had moved through she saw Eleanor staring at a piece of furniture in the kitchen. She asked Eleanor “Do you know what that is?” Eleanor replied “Its a pie safe, my Daddy has one of those.” You could tell the host was genuinely happy she knew the answer and she then prompted us to walk onto the back porch. She asked the kids “do you see that black metal thing on the roof, what do you think that is?” Without missing a beat Jude replied “Lighting rod!” I couldn’t have been more proud.

We departed the site and returned to our vehicle. The tram line was getting even longer and a dinner suggestion was needed. Waffle House received a rousing cheer from the kids and so we concluded our journey at that fine establishment. All in all it was a very enjoyable time. I’ve included some pictures and a link to a video of Mr Gerald Williams. Here’s to more fun adventures.

Link to Mr. Gerald Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAHndXsiub0