ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Lauer Farms was the setting for a glimpse into the life of the "Greatest Generation."
More than 500 students from area schools took part in the "School Days" field trip, learning from reenactors about what life was like back in 1944, both in the war zone and back here at home. The students navigated three camps: Allied, Axis, and home front, chatting with local historians. The event was capped off by a battlefield reenactment.
Organizers say hands-on demonstrations like these help bring that period of history to life.
"I was one of the students that learned better by experiencing it, and I know history is not one of those subjects that kids particular enjoy in school, but when you get about here they get to experience what their great-grandparents did, like my generation, it was my grandparents that were over there, and then I got a little stories here and there but never a whole lot, so this is kind of our way of figuring out what our families did in the past," explained Matt Martini, executive director and founder of Lauer Farms 1944.
The "School Days" field trip kicks off a weekend of World War II-related activities at Lauer Farms, including live battle demonstrations, an old barn swing dance, and a 1940s fashion show.
Check out Johnny Appleseed's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyAppleseedParks for more information. You can find information about the Lauer Farms 1944 group at https://www.facebook.com/LauerFarms1944.
The event is open to the public on Saturday, October 19th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. On Sunday, October 20th, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lauer Farm is located at 800 Roush Rd, Lima, OH 45801.
INTERVIEW: Matt from Lauer Farms talks to us about their upcoming WWII reenactment event!
