Torreya Day

Niceville resident Bruce Williams traveled to Liberty County Saturday to demonstrate his skill at making shakes (wooden shingles) that covered the homes of many panhandle residents in years past. He was one of several volunteers who came out to bring history alive for visitors at Torreya State Park on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The tools of the shake-maker’s trade.

A young visitor checks out a display of Native American fishing gear.

Tiffany Vickery shows how candles are made by repeatedly dipping the long wicks in wax. She holds up some newly-made candles for visitors to see.

The candle-dipping stand.

More of her work is shown with some antique candle holders.

Mary Ellen Shugart of Pensacola was busy making decorative necklaces....

...and telling visitors about her corked gourds, which served as old-fashioned thermos bottles.

Bill Mangalavite of Bristol shows off his frontiersman style.

Every home had a hurricane lantern like this for emergencies over a century ago…and many here today still keep one around for a backup during storms.

Homemade candles and antlers are displayed on a table where early settlers in the area may have played many games of checkers.

Visitors look over a display on turpentining.

A buck of rosin left over from turpentine making.

Turpentining was once an everyday part of life. Turpentine products shown here, in their original packaging, include rosin, pine tar soap, balms and hoof conditioners.

Visitors get a little education on the park’s namesake, The Torreya Tree.