Exhibits
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| Cabin tours and front porch storytelling. This actual homestead is shared by the Padgett Family with visitors to the Clay County Fair. The Padgett Log Cabin exhibit also includes an outhouse – a necessary structure back in the days when there was no indoor plumbing. |
PADGETT LOG CABIN (Circa 1940s)  JOHNS HOUSE (Circa 1900s) |
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| The Johns House was built in the early 1900’s and is used today for quilting exhibits and demonstrations headed up by Jewell Knowels and many dedicated volunteers. |
 PENNEY FARMS JAIL HOUSE (Circa 1926) |
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| 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. |
 “CRACKER” HOUSE" |
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| 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. |
 RED BARN (Circa 1940s) |
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| Every farm needs a barn. See revamped farm implements & tools used by early Florida pioneers including wood carving techniques and useful household (wooden) items. |
 BAXLEY HOUSE (Circa 1940s) |
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| The Baxley House was moved from its original location to the village and serves as a central meeting place during the fair for Clay County families and friends. Today you’ll find country woodstove cooking demonstrations and tasty down-home southern country cooking by the kitchen crew led by Ellen Maddox and a group of dedicated volunteers. Menu includes collard greens, black-eyed peas, corn bread and well-kept family secret recipe desserts. |
 SYRUP HOUSE (Circa 1920s) |
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| Corn syrup was a food staple in the Early Florida diet. Come and watch the Heiny Family as they grind the sugar cane and make real corn syrup. Smell the sweetness in the air and sample a southern delight. |
 CORN CRIB (Unknown Era) |
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| Original structure used in early pioneer days to store corn once crop was harvested from the fields. |
 PENNEY FARMS SCHOOL HOUSE (Circa 1950s) |
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| 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
attemptsto show the importance of education in the history of Clay County. |
 MOONSHINE EXHIBIT |
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| 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. |
 REPLICA VINTAGE COUNTRY CHURCH (2004) |
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| 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. |
 MAGUIRE COMMISSARY (Circa 1920s) |
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| 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. |
 CROSSCUT SAW EXHIBIT |
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| 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. |
 LOG-SPLITTER EXHIBIT (Circa 1900s) |
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| 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 SHARED OUTHOUSE |
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| In the early days of no indoor plumbing, the “outhouse” was a necessary structure. |
 JUNE REINHOLD MYERS ALL-PURPOSE PAVILION (2008) |
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| 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). |
 HONEY HOUSE (2009) |
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| National Award winner (2009 Florida Federation Fairs). Live Honey Bee's provided by Northeast Florida Bee Keepers Association. |