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Last updated on Thursday, May 3, 2018
(MITCHELL) - Spring Mill State Park is gearing up for a spring full of activities, including the dedication of the historic Red Cross Cabin and the annual Heirloom Plant and Seed Exchange.
The cabin is located near the Pine Hill Shelter, off the parking lot near the Lakeview Activity Center. The dedication will place at 1 p.m. Saturday.
After the dedication, there will be a variety of activities in the park to celebrate the Red Cross's unique story in Lawrence County.
Re-enactors will portray Clara Barton and Dr. Joseph and Enola Gardner will relate their story which started in 1893 when the Gardners donated 782 acres south of the White River to the American Red Cross. The land became known as the Red Cross Farm and the community around it known as Red Cross. A house was part of that gift.
In 1904, the house on the farm burned and a new cabin was built. Over the years, the cabin fell into disrepair and during the national bicentennial, it was moved to the grounds of Bedford North Lawrence High School. It was to be used as an outdoor classroom facility, but eventually became a storage facility for the school.
Again, it fell into disrepair, and a local group sought to save it once again. In June 2012, the cabin was taken down by Department of Natural Resources employees and put into storage at Spring Mill State Park and funds were sought to rebuild the cabin at the park.
After nearly five years in storage, the cabin is being reassembled. Hoosier Uplands provided a $30,000 grant to help with the cabin's reconstruction at Spring Mill.
Other activities this weekend include:
"Spring into Camping" event at the campground as a part of the "Let's Camp America" initiative that is backed by the National Association of State Park Directors. A variety of events are planned at the campground. Root's RV is loaning campers to the park for visitors to tour, and volunteers will show participants the basics of camping.
Then, at 6 p.m. Saturday, the park will celebrate the 200th birthday of Lawrence County in the Pioneer Village with a catered dinner in the Grist Mill. David Nord will speak about "Rivers, Roads and Rails" following dessert. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (812) 849-4508. The cost is $50 per person.
The Pioneer Village will celebrate Lawrence County's bicentennial Saturday and Sunday with history talks, village tours and hands-on activities. Admission to the park is free Sunday for "Visit Indiana Week."
On May 13, the park will have its annual plant and seed exchange in the village garden. The event runs from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Bring heirloom plants or seeds from your garden to the Pioneer Village Garden, and trade them for starts grown by the village gardener. An heirloom plant is a plant variety that has been cultivated at least 50 years, opened pollinated and seeds from the plant when planted come back true to the original plant. If you have a large garden and lots of plants to trade, call ahead and a table will be set up for you. If you don't have anything to trade, plants will be for sale in the mercantile.
For more information on upcoming events and programs, call (812) 849-3534 or email springmillstatepark@dnr.in.gov. Spring Mill State Park is at 3333 State Road 60 East, Mitchell.
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