Vintage Tech Captivates Young Minds at Denmark Youth Fest

The Denmark Historical Society brought a piece of the past to life at the recent Denmark Youth Fest, displaying a collection of vintage technology that sparked curiosity and conversation among the younger attendees.

Children are "inherently tactile," said Shire of Denmark president Aaron Wiggins, noting the event was a "great" opportunity for hands-on learning.

The display featured several items from a bygone era, including a 60-year-old typewriter, a classic rotary-dial telephone, and a large wooden bellows plate camera of the kind used in the early 1900s.

A Hands-On History Lesson

The children attending the event were encouraged to interact with the historical items. This direct engagement led to memorable observations and insights.

Ten-year-old attendee Isabelle Elliott found the typewriter "very interesting," noting she had previously seen one in an antique shop in England. Her mother, Emily Springate, observed that children are "quite fascinated" by such items when they see them in real life.

Local historian Bev McGuinness shared a humorous moment from the day, reporting that one child, upon examining the rotary-dial telephone, remarked, "It won't fit in my pocket."

Connecting to Local Heritage

The bellows camera on display held particular historical significance for the area. It was of the kind used by pioneer settler Bert Shaw to photograph life in Bow Bridge in the early 1900s, providing a tangible link to the region's past.

The Youth Fest, which also featured modern activities like a dunk tank, face painting, and inflatable darts, successfully blended contemporary fun with a living history lesson, demonstrating that old technology can still capture the imagination of a new generation.