In addition to the train car, this elevator has a second room next to the basement, hollowed out so that a wagon could be driven under the main floor. Grain in the elevator tower could then be dropped into a large metal basket on the main floor, suspended from a scale. Farmers, wishing to buy small amounts of grain would pull a wagon under the basket, go up and have grain dropped into the basket until the weight was what they wanted, at which time it was dropped down into their wagons after the sale.
The park was broken up into three distinct areas, all centering around 1928. The town, the rural community and the farmstead. Each had its own unique story to tell. From the old Greek Orthodox Church, to the working one room school, it all came alive around us, as each actor or presenter played his or her part in creating a living image of this Ukrainian town of 1928. The church displays the traditional onion dome and is without a bell. The church as its name implies, was quite orthodox in its approach. Men sat one side and the women
on the other. There was no music or musical instruments as early on, these things were considered to be pagan parts of their past. What writings that were present were written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which has 33 characters. We continued our journey into the farmland where life was more rustic. There were several buildings of an earlier date which were the most rustic, showing large hand hewed logs for support beams. We stopped at a small farm house and found Gregory in the side garden picking potatoes for the evening meal. We chatted while he told us of the life he was cutting out of the land in this new country he had recently arrived in. His wife was away on an errand but he offered to take us inside. The house was sparse but clean. One of the customs, which seemed strange to me was the preparation of one of the rooms as an entertainment room where visiting guests could sit and have a meal. In a house where space was a precious commodity, this was one of the biggest rooms. A table laden with delights stretched the entire length of the far wall. However, it was not normally used for everyday living but was kept strictly for special guests or special occasions. We left the park with a new knowledge and appreciation of the Ukrainian people, their past, and traditions.

For more information about the village check their website at:
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

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