Billie Creek Village ready for another season

With the temperatures warming and spring finally setting in around Parke County, Michelle Mundo is ready to be very busy.

The site director at Billie Creek Village will be the first to tell anyone listening that there are events almost weekly from now until the fall at the village, which is located at 65 S Billie Creek Rd., Rockville. 

According to Mundo, there is a lot more to Billie Creek Village than three covered bridges and the Gaebler Cafe. 

"There is a lot more to it. I like to say Billie Creek is Parke County history. We are a collection of historic buildings throughout Parke County. We are an events site, but we are also open day to day and we allow visitors to come out and tour the historic 32 buildings that we have. The Cafe and the General Store are open every day. We have the three covered bridges. As long as it is daylight, we welcome people to just come out and visit, walk around and see us. I love seeing Billie Creek alive, seeing it used and welcoming people to it. It is part of Parke County history, and we want to share it," Mundo told The Parke County Post. 

The Gaebler Cafe has been open for a year, and Mundo said all is "fantastic."

"It is such a fantastic addition to Billie Creek. It allows people to settle in. We welcome people to come hang out and just slow down. There is a little bit of magic at Billie Creek that allows people to slow down and enjoy a hot or iced coffee. Our culinary director, Sam, is absolutely amazing," she said. 

Billie Creek Village recently hosted its first year of doing Maple demonstrations during its Maple Days event.

"This was our first year doing demonstrations of maple sugar process, taking sweetwater from our trees all the way through to Maple syrup. It was really exciting. We spent a lot of time last year doing some remodel, as well as care and love to Sugar Camp. A lot of work went in so we were set up and ready to go. It was a good year for maple flow in our trees, and we did three full weekends. It's been bottled up and should hit the shelves soon," Mundo said. 

In addition, Civil War Days will be back in May, Dog Days of Summer and the Battle of Billie Creek are all slated. 

"From now until it gets too hot for anyone to enjoy the outdoors, we have something going on. We are really excited about Civil War Days. We have been told this will be the largest Civil War reenactment across the state. We have been back at Civil War Days for a couple of years. I know it was a very big deal in the 70s and 80s and we are so excited that it has grown faster than we can keep up. We are expecting almost 500 reenactors to be at Billie Creek those two days, full encamped at the village. We will welcome back cannons and horses, speeches from various historic personnel and demonstrators will be there. It is going to be a fun time," Mundo said.  

Mundo said it is "pretty exciting" to have Billie Creek Village be one of the destinations of many.

"It is a source of pride and honor for me to be host to such a wondrous place that so many people have strong and positive memories to. To be able to share that with the next generation is very pleasing to me," she said. 

And, as for what she enjoys, Mundo said it is two parts. 

"I love the people. I love seeing the Village packed. Covered Bridge last year was absolutely packed, and getting to see people enjoying the Village, I love. And, then when the event is over and people clear out and it is back to being quiet, I love that as well. It is a nice balance," she said. 

Billie Creek Village is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Mundo urges everyone to stop by. 

"During the week it is a little quieter so people can enjoy a slower pace and some quiet. Generally, we have people park out front by the Welcome Center. We do not charge admission, generally. We only charge admission at the Battle of Billie Creek and Civil War Days, and it is four days out of 10 months you have to pay. We rely a lot on sales in the cafe and general store, and those funds go back into the Village.People should come out to relive history and understand where Parke County was. These buildings are Parke County history. You can step right back into time. We are a safe location for kids and families. It is safe to let your kids run a little wild outside and it is absolutely gorgeous for families to be at. I think people should come to relive their past and create historic memories of their own," Mundo said.