PARK HILL — Experiencing the 1890s lifestyle and about Native American culture turned into a wonderful day for visitors that stopped at the Cherokee Heritage Center on Saturday.

Melba Connelly, of Benton, Ark., stayed cool in the shade while getting enjoyment out of watching her three grandsons flit from one activity to another.

Connelly and her family were traveling from Arkansas to the Grand Canyon and stopped at the center for a short visit.

“They love it. We weren’t planning to spend much time here, but we’ll be staying the whole day,” Connelly said.

Connelly’s grandsons competed in sack races, played checkers, and visited the Cherokee village — their first experience with Native American culture.

The center was celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Adams Corner, its rural village set in the 1890s.

Donor K.S. “Bud” Adams gave the funding for the living history exhibit in honor of his mother, said Karen Cooper, coordinator of Adams Corner.

Visitors enjoyed free lemonade, 25-cent hot dogs, arts and crafts, old-fashioned toys and games and much more at the event.

“We don’t have a huge turnout today, but everyone is having a fantastic time,” Cooper said, looking around at children frolicking and adults sipping lemonade in the cool shade.

Beaux Record, 7, one of Connelly’s grandsons, did the sack races a few times, but said he really enjoyed the Native American demonstrations.

“I ate a homemade cinnamon doughnut,” Beaux said. “And I bought an arrowhead rock and some fur.”

The homemade cinnamon doughnut was Indian fry bread, dressed up with a little sweetness.

Beaux and his two brothers were having a grand time at Adams Corner, completely unfazed by the less-than-high technology games and things to do.

Bryse Record, 10, said he asked the tour guide in the Cherokee village where the satellite dishes were — but really he enjoyed the old-fashioned activities.

“If I lived back then, I would play in the creek all day,” Bryse said, before heading back to the checkers games. “That’s all I would do all day, every day.”

“If there wasn’t any cable or iPods, I would shoot blowdarts,” Beaux said. “And I would watch people play that tennis game. What’s it called?”

Stickball — another cultural item the boys enjoyed.

The Cherokee Heritage Center is a family-friendly place to visit throughout the summer.

At 8 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 20, the center presents “Legends at Dusk: An Evening in the Ancient Village” — a live interactive dramatization of the Cherokee legend “The First Fire.”

From Aug. 13 through Oct. 2 is the 16th annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show presenting authentic Cherokee art.

The Cherokee National Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair is coming up Sept. 2-4, featuring arts and crafts, music and storytelling, games and demonstrations.

Visit www.cherokeeheritage.org for more event information, museum dates, hours and cost.

Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.

If you go

WHAT: Cherokee Heritage Center museum, activities and events.

WHEN: Regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.

“Legends at Dusk: An Evening in the Ancient Village” at 8 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 20.

Upcoming special events are the 16th annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show from Aug. 13 through Oct. 2 and the Cherokee National Holiday from Sept. 2-4.

WHERE: 21192 S. Keeler Drive, Park Hill.

COST: Admission: $8.50 adult, $5 children, $7.50 seniors/college students. Admission price includes access to the museum and genealogy center.

INFORMATION: (918) 456-6007 or www.cherokeeheritage.org.