Silver River Museum facts for kids
Museum entrance
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| Established | 1991 |
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| Location | Silver Springs, Florida |
The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is a cool nature museum located inside Silver Springs State Park. You can find it near Ocala, in Silver Springs, Florida. The museum gets its name from the beautiful Silver River, which flows right through the park.
This special museum and education center is run by Marion County Public Schools. They work together with the Florida Park Service. Both groups host fun and educational events for everyone. The idea for the center started in 1987. It first received money through a special grant called the Christa McAullife Fellowship. In 1991, the museum and center officially opened. Since then, it has offered daily classes for students in Marion County.
What You Can See at the Museum
When the museum first opened, it had the main museum building and some classrooms. Over time, more cool things were added. There's a new part of the museum to explore. You can also find a lunch area and a research library.
One of the most interesting parts is a Florida cracker pioneer settlement. This area shows what life was like in the late 1800s. There's also a one-room schoolhouse. This school was used by African-American students around 1930, during a time of racial segregation.
The center has old farm buildings from the 19th century. These include houses, a meeting house that also served as a school, sheds, and a blacksmith shop. The museum also shares the natural and social history of the area. During the week, school groups use these areas for classes. But on weekends, they are open for everyone to visit and enjoy!
Ocali Country Days Event
Every year, usually in early November, the Center and Park host a special event called Ocali Country Days. This event helps raise money for the museum. It's like stepping back in time to the 19th century! You'll see living historians, who are people dressed up and acting like folks from that era. They put on displays, give talks, and perform.
From Tuesday to Friday, the event is open for school groups. Public, private, and home-schooled children and their teachers can visit. You need to make reservations with the Center ahead of time. In 2008, only 1,200 students and teachers could attend each day. All those spots were filled quickly, so it's important to book early!
The Ocali Country Days event is also open to the general public. You can visit on Saturday and Sunday. It has become a very popular yearly attraction in the area. It's a great way to learn about history in a fun, hands-on way!
