For the first time since 1993, Colonial Days are returning to Heritage Park. The park hosted the event in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. The event featured numerous historical reenactors, which took up camp in the park for a full weekend of historical 18th-century activities.

The Taylor Historical Commission and Taylor Historical Society will present it from Friday through Sunday, May 17-19. Friday will offer an Education Day for local students to come to the park and learn from participants with hands-on history lessons. That day supports the material that students are learning in their schools’ social studies curriculum. This is a great day for students to extend their learning past their classroom walls.

It will be open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19. Admission is free of charge.

Visitors can experience history up close and personal. There will be 18th-century military and civilian camps. Visitors will be able to ask questions to participants. Some of the daily events include opening colors, British Army Drills and American Military Drills from the 18th century.

There will be a fashion show each day at 2 p.m. when soldiers will explain their uniforms. Also on display will be ladies’ fashions. There will be a Mini Militia for children each day at 1 p.m. Children will have the opportunity to become a Revolutionary War-era soldier and learn a military drill using wooden muskets.

There will be battle demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. The event ends each day with closing colors. Organizers recommend taking a stroll around the camps to observe some great open-fire cooking. The units prepare their meals over an open fire to feed their members.

The Taylor Historical Commission and Historical Society are also planning to have the buildings that they operate open to the public on both May 18 and May 19. The historic log cabin, which is one of the oldest existing homes in Taylor, will be open. Located right next to the log cabin is the Jarod Sexton Town Hall – the Historical After three decades, historical 18th-century encampments will be on display for all to see Society operates a gift shop out of this building where you can find unique items. The Town Hall building also sells fresh hot popcorn.

As you continue to make your way along the path in the park around Coan Lake, you will find the Heritage One-Room School House, which is an example of how a school would have looked in the past. The interior has student desks, slates and McGuffey Readers. If you look hard, you will find where students had to wear a dunce cap and had to stand in the corner if they misbehaved.

The Taylor Historical Museum will also be open. It is located in the historic Knope Farmhouse. While in the museum, visitors can view other displays that highlight the history of Taylor.