Rides, exhibits, vintage vehicles popular at Live History Days

Live History Days at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson is always a fun time for everybody – families, couples, motorheads, or anyone who loves vintage things.

This year’s event was held last Saturday and Sunday, and it was toasty, but that didn’t stop people from attending. In fact, two couples from St. George, Utah, Lucinda and Kevin Hess and Anna and Keith Prisbrey, got 10 miles down the road before the women made the men come back. Lucinda loved the toys and old fire truck, and both women appreciated the medical tent. The guys admitted it was fun, and said they’d seen lots of interesting stuff.

The rides are always popular, and this year Gil Mangels, president and founder of the non-profit museum, has a new one: a 1940 Fly-A-Plane carnival ride. The stout little airplanes take kids around and around, but no up and down is allowed. 

Nine-year-old Raven loved all the rides. Her brother, Sam, 6, especially liked the spinning planes.

Other rides included Thomas the Train, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, a WWII Freedom Truck, Vietnam-era Jeep, complete with a gun and helmet, and a motorcycle sidecar. 

Around the grounds were myriad folks demonstrating old-time skills. Don Safford was flint knapping arrowheads and spear points. Potters Sheila and Jed Williams brought a wheel so Jed could throw some pots while Sheila had kids making slab vessels. 

A leatherworker let kids and adults stamp a scrap of leather. A blacksmith toiled away in the dark cavern of the smithy, and a gentleman showed off a couple of gas-burning engines. 

Ron Mangels, Gil’s son from south Louisiana, was driving the Jeep. His favorite exhibit on the grounds is the one-room school from Valley View, which is unique to this area. He said the “soddie” cabin is also very rare.

Four generations of the Mangels clan were on hand, Ron said.  

Gil’s wife, Helen, was busy at the front desk and in the soda fountain.

If folks were too warm, they could come explore the inside of the museum with saddles, motorcycles, beaded regalia, antique clothing and quilts, and so much more.

Helen said lots of folks had come early to try to beat the heat, but the crowd was steady at this perennially popular event.

    This 1940 ride called Fly-A-Plane was a hit with children who visited Live History Days. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Potters Sheila and Jed Williams showed visitors how to throw pots on a wheel and make tiny slab pottery pots. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)