Paper Making Workshop for Homeschoolers Ages 10-18

Cracker Country is hosting a Paper Making Workshop for Homeschoolers on Thursday, May 6, 2027, from 11 AM to 12:45 PM at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It's a brand-new, immersive session built for older homeschool students—ages 10 to 18—who want to get their hands dirty with history. The whole thing runs out of the museum's historic Print Shop, so you're working in the same kind of space where this was actually done.

The first hour is all about the craft: filtering paper fibers, molding the sheet, and pressing it into shape. Once the paper is set, the group tours the Print Shop and hears about how printing evolved over time. Then comes the best part—everyone gets to print their own postcard on an authentic antique press. You'll walk away with two sheets of handmade paper, and one of them is embedded with flower seeds, so it's something you can actually plant later.

For a bit of context, Cracker Country is Tampa's only living history museum. It's dedicated to rural Florida life in the late 19th century, with original structures dating back to the 1800s and docents in historic dress. After the workshop, the General Store is open and sells nostalgic reproduction items, historical toys, games, books, and candy, with the proceeds going back into the museum's education programs.

It's $20 per student, and the classes are for students only—one guardian is free and required to stay on the property. The workshop is at Cracker Country, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N US Highway 301, Tampa, FL 33610, from 11 AM to 12:45 PM on Thursday, May 6.