LATHROP, Mo. — For more than three decades, the Living History Festival and Small Farmers Reunion in Lathrop has served as an educational experience for tens of thousands of students throughout northwest Missouri, bringing the past to life.
The annual fall event takes place at the Lathrop Antique Showgrounds, located just south of town, and is organized by the Lathrop Antique Car, Tractor, and Engine Association. The two-day festival includes demonstrations, presenters, preserved buildings, and hands-on exhibitions to teach students what life was like more than 100 years ago.
“To me, it’s a way of learning what our forefathers went through to make this country what it is today and the sacrifices they made,” said longtime association president Jim Plowman. “It wasn’t an easy life. Everything is modernized now. It’s kind of a historical moment kind of thing, to look back and see how we progressed throughout the years.”
The 33rd annual Living History Festival will be on Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11.
Plowman said his favorite part of the fall show is seeing students interact with the historic demonstrations. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers is the corn shelling exhibit, where students get to directly operate the shellers and see how corn was produced in the past. Other activities include gold panning, candle making, butter churning, and more.
Students can also tour many of the old buildings, some of which are operational, including the saw mill, general store, blacksmith shop, barber shop, broom shop, print shop, post office, and wheelwright shop. They also spend time in a preserved one-room schoolhouse, at the direction of an old-time teacher, to see how children their age learned before modern school districts.
There are numerous presentations throughout the day on Friday, including Jim Two Crows on early Missouri history, Abraham Lincoln as portrayed by Lee Williams, Professor Farquar and Polecat Annie, the Shoal Creek Posse, Buffalo Soldiers, and Wilbur Wright. Visitors might even catch a stick-up attempt at the Dodge House Hotel.
There is no charge for students and sponsors on Friday’s school day, while Saturday is open for a freewill donation. The showgrounds are located at 2488 SE 33 Highway in Lathrop.
For more information on the festival, contact Jim Plowman at 816-896-5546 or Kenni Hisel at 816-365-5610. The Lathrop Antique Car, Tractor, and Engine Association also shares updates on Facebook.
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