Summer vacation is over, and the kids are back in school.

But history lessons aren't limited to the classroom, and kids also aren't the only ones who can learn from and about the past.

There are several events throughout Pasco county in September that focus on history.

This week, we highlight the many historically oriented events around the county that adults or kids can enjoy.

So, pack up the kids, and head out to some good old-fashioned fun.

• Pioneer Florida Museum Pioneer Day (Labor Day—the Workingman’s Holiday)

When: Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City

15602 Pioneer Museum Rd.
Dade City, FL 33525
(352) 567-0262

Cost: Festival admission $5

Children 6 and under - FREE!

What: Come out to the Pioneer Florida Museum on Monday Sept. 3, 2012, and enjoy a day in the country. According to the Pioneer Florida Museum website, this annual Labor Day event celebrates the opening of the Museum's grounds in 1975. Special features this year are old time games for everyone in the family including corn toss, horseshoes, tug o' war, and three-legged races.  There will also be bluegrass by the Barking Dogs and gospel music in the historic Enterprise Church. The Country Fixin's concession stand and other snack vendors will have lots of good eatin’.

The day's schedule includes:

9:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremony Flag Raising

10 a.m. - Fiddling Contest (Part 1)

11:15 a.m. - Raid on the Overstreet House

11:30 a.m. - Fiddling Contest (Part 2)

12-Noon - 4 p.m. - BBQ Dinner By Chet Taylor Dinners: $7 each and Drive through available

2 p.m. - Raid on Overstreet House

Throughout the day:

Old Timey Games including Corn Toss, Horse Shoes, Tug O’ War, Three-Legged Races, Train Rides

Music: Blue Grass Music, Barking Dogs Gospel Music, Mission Out Reach, and more.

Also included in the festivities are arts and crafts vendors and traditional craft demonstrations. In addition, most of the museum’s historic buildings will be open and their collections on display.

For more information please contact the Pioneer Florida Museum at 352-567-0262.

• Zephyrhills Historical Association Regular Meeting

When: Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 6 p.m.

Where: Zephyrhills Train Depot

39110 South Avenue, Zephyrhills, FL

Cost: FREE to the public

What: This month, the Zephyrhills Historical Association welcomes special guest speaker Alan Knight, long-term resident, former teacher, coach, and administrator in Zephyrhills and other schools throughout Pasco County. The association business meeting begins at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 7p.m. The usual refreshments will be served.

The Zephyrhills Historical Association meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Zephyrhills Depot Museum  For more information please contact Jerry Pricher at 813-788-2547 or by email at jerry@pricher.net

• West Pasco Historical Society Regular Meeting:

When: Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at 1 p.m.

Where: West Pasco Historical Society

Rao Musunuru Museum and Library in Sims Park

6431 Circle Boulevard

New Port Richey, FL 34652

Cost: FREE to the public

What: This month’s guest speaker will be Terry Fortner, the granddaughter of Myrtle Scharrer Betz, who was born on Caladesi Island in 1895 and who described her life there in a 1984 memoir, Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise. 

The book’s descriptions from Amazon.com says, “Told with compelling honesty and humanity, this tale by the only child ever born on Caladesi Island captures the natural wonders, discomforts, challenges, and joys of pioneer life on a Florida West Coast barrier island, spanning the time from when her father, Henry Scharrer, first arrived in America from Switzerland in 1883 until his death in 1934.This new and enlarged edition includes more than 130 historic illustrations providing a visual legacy to complement Myrtle s narrative, and granddaughter Terry Fortner has added a timeline to clarify the history, extending to the years before and after the narrative itself. With wisdom, insight, and poetry, Myrtle Sharrer Betz has written a book that is sure to become a Florida treasure. In consideration of the future as well as preservation of the past, sales from the book support the Henry Scharrer Memorial Fund to underwrite projects at Caladesi and Honeymoon Island State Parks.”

For more information about this event, please visit http://westpascohistoricalsociety.org/

• Pioneer Florida Museum Dance

When: Monday, Sept. 8, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. to ???

Where: Dan Cannon Auditorium, Pasco County Fairgrounds

36722 State Road 52, Dade City, FL

Cost: $10 pre-event tickets (ends Friday Sept. 7th at 4:30pm)

$15 at the door

TABLES $10 to RSVP and seats eight.

What: Todd Brown & the River Junction Band

Join the Pioneer Florida Museum for a night filled with music and dancing with the Todd Brown & the River Junction Band. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8pm. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds to Benefit the Pioneer Florida Museum

Pick-up tickets or RSVP tables at the following locations:

Pioneer Florida Museum, 352-567-0262

Dade City Chamber of Commerce, 352-567-3769

Sharon Sumner, 352-585-3757

Missy Lea (813)-778-2342

Note from the Pioneer Florida Museum: We will be setting up 30 tables so we encourage those of you who don’t want to lug those chairs around to RSVP your table, ASAP! First come first served. This is a “BYOB,” Bring your own Beverage or “BYOC,” Bring your own cooler and chair. No GLASS BOTTLES will be allowed inside the auditorium.

• Pasco County Historical Society

When: Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Dade City American Legion Hall

37745 Church Ave.

Cost: FREE to the public

What: As always, the Pasco County Historical Society has another fascinating program planned. This month they will welcome Angelo Liranzo, librarian from Dade City’s Hugh Embry Library. Angelo will share a recent project the library has been working on to digitize the old Dade City Banner newspaper, dating back to the turn of the 20^th century. During his presentation Angelo will demonstrate the features of the digitized newspaper archives, including it searchable aspects.

As usual, a pot-luck covered-dish dinner will precede the program, so bring something special to share. Remember to also bring your own table-service and drink. Visitors and guest are welcome to come along to enjoy the program. For additional information please contact Eddie Herrmann at 352-567-2050 or Glen Thompson at 352-567-7449.