Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:49:41 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Silk Hope Old Fashioned Farmers Days was a great event
Silk Hope Old Fashioned Farmers Days
I attended one of my favorite county events yesterday – Old-Fashioned Farmers Days in Silk Hope.
As a history major I love this event. It’s an opportunity to take a look at what farming was like.
Getting some of the home-made ice cream is a most.
I have a couple of YouTube videos available for viewing and I’ll have pictures up later.
Saw Mill in operation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGUG7mVVZ_s
Tractor pull at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia-ptd7koOw
Building Community In Silk Hope, NC
http://www.silkhoperuritans.com/
The Silk Hope community will lose its current Community Center in less than three years. The building, constructed in 1969, is scheduled to be demolished by 2010 to accommodate a new fire station.
Current Status Spring 2008
The Farm Heritage Center is an outstanding collection of antique farm equipment, old farm buildings, and steam equipment that has been restored over the past 30 years. Old Fashioned Farmers’ Day on Labor Day weekend is a celebration of, and a look back at the way farms were in years past. There are displays of farm machinery, from horse-drawn equipment to early tractors and implements. Also on display are a threshing machine and cane mill pulled by horses or mules, old fashioned hit-and-miss engines, various farm animals, and one of the largest steam complexes currently in existence. From one central boiler, steam is produced to run a saw mill, a window and door shop, a shingle mill, a cotton press, even an entire ice cream making building.
A grist mill was added to the complex in 2007, and a Tobacco Homestead is currently being reconstructed. Old Fashioned Farmers’ Day also includes a tractor pull and a draft horse pull.
Tourist Attraction & Educational Tours
The park has the potential to develop into a major tourist attraction for Chatham County, and can be a great destination for school field trips and retreats. The new community center will be situated in a park-like setting with the long-term goals of preserving the surrounding farm land and showcasing the old-fashioned methods of farming. The architect has designed the building to fit within this unique and valuable setting. The building will be 6,500 square feet and a valuable asset to the entire community.
Our Mission
The Silk Hope Ruritan Club is dedicated to improving our community and building a better America through Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service.
The Silk Hope Ruritan Club is contributing the land purchased for $349,000 and over $100,000 pledged by members, towards the new community building.
If you would like to help, we over several unique options:
Giving Levels
Founder $ 10,000 +
Pioneer 5,000-9,999
Rancher 1,000-4,999
Homesteader 500-999
Old Cowhand 101-499
Buy a Brick 100
Naming Rights
The following opportunities are available to name the building or a room after you or your family, or in honor or memory of a loved one.
Building $ 125,000
Main Meeting Room 75,000
Community Room 40,000
Boardroom 25,000
Kitchen 25,000
Museum/Foyer 25,000
For More Details
Contact Harold Rogers, 919.742.4406 or Tom Smith 919.663.4541
Silk Hope Ruritan Club
394 Hope Hills Drive, Siler City, NC 27344