Clay County Fair Association

This corn crib, donated by the Freddie C. Geiger Family in Hillard, Fl.,  was located on the farm of Mr. Geiger near Hillard.  This corn crib is typical of the type of structure used during the l800's and early l900's on numerous farms throughout Florida. Its purpose was simple: a place to store field corn after the harvest and to protect it from being eaten by wild animals such as deer and wild hogs.  From this crib, the corn was fed out to cattle during the cold winter months when grass was not available. The logs in the Corn Crib were hand cut and hewn by Mr. Geiger, probably from available timber on his farm.  Notice the split rail fencing surrounding the Heritage Garden.  This fence was also donated by the family of Mr. Freddie C. Geiger.  It too was from his farm in Hillard, and the rails were also cut and hewn by Mr. Geiger from available timber.  This style of fencing was most often used to enclose "barnyard animals" such as milk cows and work horses.  It was also used to protect the family garden from both farm animals and wild animals.  It was preferred to wire fencing or barbed wire in such "close locations.   It could also be easily moved as new garden spots were selected.

February 19, 1991 Built by construction trade students at Clay High School in 1991, the “Cracker House” is a reproduction of the most common type of dwelling in North Florida during the 1800’s. In 2006, the building was dedicated to Sarah Lynn Boe for her efforts in creating the Early Florida Village. Today, the building houses our textile and weaving demonstration.

As part of our effort to recognize the importance of the timber industry, the Florida Department of Forestry has a “hands on” Cross Cut Saw Exhibit and Forestry Museum located next to the Commissary. Forest Rangers are on hand to answer questions and interact with visitors.

In 2008, the Honey House was constructed as a replica of a typical turn-of-the-century honey extraction house.  It features large shuttered windows, ha high ceiling, and a large front porch for storing honey A supers' as they were processed.  Visitors to the exhibit can view a glass encased, living hive of honeybees and see the bees in action producing honey and caring for their young.  This hive opens to the back of the building to allow worker bees access to come and go.  One can search for the Queen Bee among her thousands of attendants. The exhibit displays beekeeping equipment from the past as well as examples of what is used today in the beekeeping industry.  On hand in the Honey House are local beekeepers who will greet and explain to visitors the story of how important honeybees are to the survival of Florida Agriculture and the food we eat.

Honeybees were not native to the United States.  They were brought across the Atlantic Ocean by the early European settlers.  Spanish explorers probably introduced honeybees to the Florida peninsular making our state the origin of future North American honeybee hives..  The Native Americans referred to them as the A white man's flies.  The Honey House Exhibit has created an important link back to one of the nations oldest farming ventures - - - - - - HONEY PRODUCTION.

This small wooden structure was typical of many of the homes built by the early families moving to Clay County in the late l800's and early l900's.  Located off of Moody Road,  in the Orange Park area, the Johns House was home to the late "Wash" Johns and his wife, Nancy. Wash, born in 1862 was one of five children of William W. Johns and Jane Dickenson.  Nancy, formerly from Duval County, was the daughter of Bethel and Margaret Roberts.  She was born in 1874 in Duval County. Upon their marriage in l892 (Wash was 30years old and Nancy was 18) the newlyweds moved into this cabin built by Wash.  The cabin was situated on a parcel of land which was originally a part of his father's farm.  From this land, they would earn a meager but rewarding livelihood, and it was in this cabin that all seven of their children were born and raised. This home would serve the needs of his family for the rest of Wash and Nancy's  lives.   Although the home was small, and their lifestyle simple and unadorned, this little house was filled with sweetness, goodness and love.   (As you walk through the cabin, notice on the floor, the outline of the original walls which indicated where the two small bedrooms were located) With the assistance of the Johns family, the cabin was donated and relocated to the Rediscover Fl. Village at the Clay County Fair Association,  in the early l990's.  Today, while dedicated to our early Florida pioneers and the lives which our forefathers lived, this home is also dedicated to the Johns family and their contributions to the development of , and values shared,  by many Clay County citizens.  Spend some time with Mrs. Jewell Knowles and her team of dedicated  ladies as they share their love for the art of quilting.  A necessity for warmth during the winter months, many of the early pioneer beds were adorned with works of art which carried the warmth of Mom and Grandmothers heart.  Feel free to ask questions and enjoy the creativity of these artisans.  (Also, remember to save old fabrics; they make good "quilt scrapes"!!! )

Located next to the Syrup House, this Pavilion was dedicated in honor of June Reinhold Myers. Sit in the shade, enjoy your ice cream and listen to the music that provided our early pioneers with relaxation and entertainment. (See entertainment schedule on this website for times and performances of Bluegrass Bands).

This exhibit was donated by the Boree Family of Middleburg. This “mechanical splitter” provided firewood for cooking and heating homes in our area for many years.

The timber industry was the “economic engine” for North Florida during the 1800’s and most of the 1900’s. Dedicated in honor of Elliott Maguire in 2008, this “Company” store was typical of the buildings necessary to support the turpentine and pulpwood industry. Open for tours, this building displays tools and artifacts related to the timber industry.

Moon-shining was an activity that provided income during times of need. This actual still was used during the era of the Great Depression. Listen to stories of how this “illegal” product was manufactured. Sorry… in this exhibit there will be neither demonstrations nor free samples.

The Padgett House was built by Hardy and Vinnie Padgett on the North Prong of Black Creek in the early l940's in the Clay Hill area of Clay County.   Prior to building this log house, all of Hardy and Vinnie's ten children had left home and had families of their own. The house was later acquired by their eldest child, Hiram Padgett.  Hiram and his wife Tinnie dismantled the house and moved it by log truck about two miles to a location on what is now  CR218, just west of the North Prong Black Creek Bridge.  This was done in about l946 or 47.  There were five children of the Hiram Padgett Family raised in this house. In l969, the house was replaced by a modern structure and moved to a field further from the highway. In l992, Ms. Sarah Boe, on behalf of the Clay County Fair Association, was able to acquire the house for display in the Rediscover Early Florida Village.  It was moved to its current location by Larue House Movers in that same year, and became a major asset to the Rediscover Florida Village.  Only minimal reconstruction and repairs have been necessary to maintain its original appearance. Come join us during the fair and meet members of the Padgett family.  Feel free to pull up a "rocker" and enjoy fine friends and recollections of growing up, raising families and being a founding family of the Clay County we know and love. Adjacent to the Padgett House,  you will see an "authentic, two-seater privy".   This particular necessity was built by Mr. Edward Kennedy with wood saved from structures destroyed by the Great Jacksonville Fire in 1905.

See the cells where inmates were lodged in the early days of the Town of Penney Farms. History reveals that two robbers were caught and occupied one cell overnight and on another occasion, a teenage prankster learned a lesson that lasted a lifetime inside this jail.

This 1st & 2nd grade classroom was once attached to the original “main” three-room Penney Farms School. Today, with the aid of dedicated volunteers from the Clay County Literacy Coalition, the village attempts to show the importance of education in the history of Clay County.

Every farm needs a barn. See revamped farm implements & tools used by early Florida pioneers including wood carving techniques and useful household (wooden) items.

The Village Church was the center of spiritual and social life in every small community. Visit our replica of a rural country church and enjoy Gospel music performed by local church choirs.

In the early days of no indoor plumbing, the “outhouse” was a necessary structure.