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The Museum of the New Llano Colony will host their first annual New Llano Colony Heritage Day on May 9, 2015 at the New Llano Community Park on Stanton Street. The site is located just across the street from the museum and the New Llano Fire Department.
You are invited to get into the spirit of things by dressing in clothing from the time -- in this case, anything that would've been popular between 1914 when the colony was first started in California and 1940, when the colony property had all been sold. Some examples are shown to the left. Notice that although most women and girls wore dresses, there is the one of girls in their knickers which were just becoming scandalously popular.
Start your visit at the museum itself to learn a bit about the unique community
which welcomed people from all over the world. Many of those who came were
successful, well-educated people, who wanted to make the world a better place
for all men. Learn how and why the colony was started and how it came to be
located here, in the cut-over highlands
of
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Louisiana; how the industries evolved that kept it going for years; and finally how it all ended in disaster.
Also inside the museum building will be the Vernon Parish Historical & Genealogical Society booth. Share a cup of coffee with them and learn to trace your own ancestry and/or learn more about the history of this area. Members of this group love to share their knowledge and are always looking to gain more for themselves.
The Vernon Parish Chamber Orchestra will perform old time music under the Main Tent
in the park. Between performances, Rick Barnickel will lead a panel of storytellers, including former colonists and/or persons who knew them well, in a discussion about what everyday life was like in the colony. Many of the
stories will be taken from the daily diary featured in the "Llano Colonist", one of the weekly newspapers printed in the colony.
Nearby will be the Maypole, symbol of hope for workers everywhere, its ribbons
fluttering in the breeze, until the dancers begin, wrapping and braiding
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HISTORY OF MAYDAY
The origin of May Day is indissoluably tied to
men's struggle for a shorter workday. Early in the 19th century, U.S. workers made known their grievances against working from "sunrise to sunset", as was the custom at the time. Fourteen, sixteen, and even eighteen hours a day were not uncommon -- some were forced to work even as many as nineteen and twenty hours a day.
Progress was slow until after the Civil War, but soon organizations were formed throughout the country demanding better working conditions. On May 1, 1866, workers all around the U.S. answered the call of the labor movement and laid down their tools demanding an 8-hour workday.
Though they didn't win in 1886, the extent and character of the strike gave the movement significant political meaning.
The Federation continued to push the issue and since May 1st was already being celebrated for the gains they had made, the date was chosen again and again, soon spreading to international organizations as well. Read more...
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the colorful ribbons down the pole as they move gracefully around it.
Children will enjoy the old-fashioned games organized by the New Llano Fire
Department. There'll be sack/three-legged races, Red Rover, Card Toss and more.
Volunteers led by the First
Baptist and Preach for the Right churches of New Llano will have jump
ropes and hopscotch, as well. Volunteers
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will help children build old-fashioned
toys
which they'll be able to take home with them. A petting zoo will allow hands-on time with a variety of farm animals.
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