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HUNTINGDON -- Before there were microwaves and power tools, folks had to fend for themselves and use some old-fashioned skills to perform day-to-day tasks.
That might not seem possible, but that's just the way it was.
Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon will transport visitors back to the 1750s, telling stories from a time of the Wild West frontier and other old-time stories during their inaugural Old-Fashioned Skills program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
"Visitors can witness what life would have been like before everything became automatic," said Jen Moore, environmental education specialist at Greenwood Furnace State Park. "Participants can try their hand at throwing an atlatl or using a slingshot - both of these methods would have been used for hunting purposes.
"I'm sure these two would be favorites as they have been at other parks," she added. 'The atlatl is one of mine."
An atlatl, also called a spear-thrower or throwing stick, is a device throwing a spear or dart usually consisting of a rod or board with a groove on the upper surface and a hook at the rear to hold the weapon in place until its release.
Typically, they are made from wood, bamboo or antler and give great velocity and force to the weapon.
The park will offer continuous activities for the atlatl, stone sling, primitive bow making, Native American tools and artifacts, cooking with rocks, blacksmith demonstrations, flintknapping and skins and skulls.
There will also be storytelling with Pennsylvania Jack at 1 p.m. at the Blacksmith Shop.
"They can also watch as arrowheads are made by hand similar to that of the Native Americans," Moore explained. "It's a day for folks of any age to enjoy skills of the past."
The program is free, and all ages are encouraged to attend.
For more information, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov or find Greenwood Furnace State Park's page on Facebook.