Yesterday, I volunteered to help at my daughter’s year 5 excursion to the Caboolture Historical Village just north of Brisbane, Queensland. I mean, as if I’d say no to helping at THIS kind of outing, right?!

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The kids were all encouraged to wear period costume, and we already had a prairie dress that I’d made with my sisters when 3 of our older daughters had a similar dress up day several years ago at the school they used to attend together. We used to have so much fun getting together at our mum’s house on a Monday and doing all sorts of crafty things together over coffee and much chatting. That was when the kids were all so much younger!Prairie costumes croppedThat was about 6 years ago now, and these three dresses have been some of the most requested costumes for similar excursions and dress up days over the years for cousins and friends to wear and share. So now my youngest gets to dress up and to say she was excited about this day out, is a HUGE understatement! Here she is RARING to go yesterday morning:

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The Caboolture Historical Village sits on 4 hectares (about 12 acres) just north of Caboolture town centre on the old Bruce Highway. The Caboolture Historical Society have been collecting items of historical significance since they began in 1959. The village has since grown to over 70 buildings most of which are open for display. The grounds are laid out in village style and the beautiful buildings house such a vast array of memorabilia that you can easily spend a day reminiscing as you wander around.

Here are a collection of my favourite pictures I took as we wandered the grounds:

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The acting school “principal” brings the students to attention as they watch the Australian flag being raised.

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Two of the volunteers dressed in period costume.

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Teaching how newspapers were printed, this Print Shop still operates and prints for the Village.

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All eyes on the gems at The Gem Store.

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Sieving for gems.

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Scored!! And she gets to take them home with her.

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Historical train ride.

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Oh dear! Those pesky bushrangers held up the train!

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After robbing the train, they decided to give the passengers some of the money they stole …

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Shootin’ a “critter” one of the bushrangers “found” in a school boy’s hat!

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Just shooting a duck out of the tree … as you do!

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Beautiful display of vintage toys.

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Village Saw Mill

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Oh John Deere!

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This little school house wouldn’t even fit two classes of all our year 5 students!

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This lovely 1940’s housewife welcomed us into her home and taught us how she made ends meet during the war days.

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A very old organ.

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Meat safe.

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Children’s room.

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The Historical Village has just opened up the kitchen for exploring eyes to see up close and personal.

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Oh, that kitchen scale!!

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Laundry life …

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Monday: wash day. Tuesday: Ironing day …

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The mangler!

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The Coach House

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Just doing the washing …

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Milk strainers and milking stools.

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Wood crates and wire crates … love!

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Isn’t this cute?

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Blacksmith – what a hot and tiring job!

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This hospital building even has a registered list of babies who were actually born here.

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Hospital beds perfectly made!

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Aren’t you glad for medical progress?

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“… and the Dentist will see you now”

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The only thing nice I can imagine about being in this bed is seeing the sun streaming in the window!

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Hospital kitchen.

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One of the cabins contains SO many sewing machines and my little crafty girl LOVED this!

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Wall full of wirelesses.

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Taking a moment to check our workbook answers at the Barber shop!

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These girls … “like a kid in a candy store”.

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The Chapel which has seen so many weddings … still being used today.

So many fun things to see and believe it or not, we still didn’t get to see everything. I hope you enjoyed this trip through yesteryear. Maybe it jogged a memory or two for some of you.

You can subscribe to my blog by filling in your email address on this page. I have also just uploaded another youtube tutorial video on an antique Ice Chest I restored with Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint. You can check it out HERE:

Antique Ice Chest Restoration

Happy Painting everyone!