ARCHBOLD, Ohio — Though it's the usual offseason for Sauder Village, they are currently opening their doors for the next few days to show visitors the process of bringing meat from the farm to table.
"It's a historic thing and it's an art, and people need to keep that art alive," said Steve Opp, Sauder Village historic farmer. "We're going to teach a few different people on staff today on how to butcher an animal from start to finish."
For three days, Sauder Village will open its doors during the winter for its historic butchering days event Pork to Fork.
Demonstrating firsthand how people in the pioneer days slaughtered, harvested and served pork from their farm.
"We think people need to return to their roots, they need to see this process from start to finish and gain a better understanding and a greater respect for that process," said Matt Walls, Sauder Village education manager.
Thursday, the historic farmers cleaned the pig carcass and will use the cold January air to chill it for cleaner cuts of meat.
Then on Friday and Saturday, demonstrators will process the meat and offer cooking demonstrations, showcasing ways to preserve the meat, all while using pioneer-era techniques.
"Like our pork chop, we don't use a band saw," said Opp. "We actually use a hatchet. That's why it's called a pork chop."
Admission is $15 and $10 for members. Visitors can also enjoy a historic recipe-sharing wall, and pork-themed games and activities for kids.
All to make sure visitors understand how things used to have to be done to better appreciate the modern way we get food.
"This is a lot of work, you know? And it's also kind of a mindset too," said Opp. "You've got to get yourself geared up for it, but for the young ones who think everything comes from Kroger or Meijer and things like that, it's really important for them to know where it actually comes from."
"I can only imagine doing this every day, every winter, and depending on that," said Walls. "Nowadays we hopefully will realize how easy we truly have it."
The Pork to Fork event runs through Saturday. On Friday and Saturday, Sauder Village will be open to visitors from 10 am to 4 pm.
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