The Pioneer Museum of Alabama has received a grant from the Daniel Foundation for its Pioneer Days Festival scheduled for October 11 and 12.

Kari Barley said the grant was awarded in the amount of $12,000 and was the largest grant that the museum has received.

“We are extremely excited to receive the grant and very appreciative of it,” Barley said. “We received the entire amount of the grant request. I couldn’t keep from screaming when the letter came. This grant means so much to the museum.”

Barley said the grant funds will be used primarily for the costs associated with transporting students to and from Pioneer Days.

“Many schools are not able to fund field trips because of transportation costs,” Barley said. “This grant will pay for mileage and the driver for schools within a three-hour radius of the museum. We will make presentations at area schools and then we will take applications for the travel expenses for classes that are interested in participating in Pioneer Days.”

Barley said the Friday of Pioneer Days is designed specifically for school groups but people of all ages may attend.

“Pioneer Days on Friday is geared toward history and hand-on learning about crafts from the past,” Barley said. “The Daniel Foundation grant funds will also be used to bring entertainment, demonstrators and re-enactors to Pioneer Days.

“These funds will greatly enhance Pioneer Days because we will be able to do things that we have wanted to do, but couldn’t. This grant is very important to our programming.”

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama has more than 18,000 artifacts in the main museum building and 22 historic structures on the grounds.

“We have hands-on history programs, including pioneer life, textile and Native American programs, and guided tours throughout the year,” Barley said. “In the spring, we have our Spring Plantin’ event that focuses on gardening, planting and outdoor activities and, in December, we have Old Time Christmas. Each year, the museum hosts a scared harp singing and every other year we have a quilt show.”

Family and individual memberships to the Pioneer Museum of Alabama are available and include admission to all museum events.

For more information about the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and its programs, call 334-566-3597.