Photo: Nicholas Johansen

The Father Pandosy Mission was abuzz with people of all generations Saturday, during the Okanagan Historical Society's “old fashioned family social.”

The event, which included old fashioned clothes washing, spinning and weaving, museum displays, face painting and antique fire trucks and tractors, was held to bring awareness to the Mission site.

“This is an event designed to get young families out to the Mission site,” said Bob Hayes, director of the Okanagan Historical Society. “Just to introduce them to the site, what's here, what it's all about, that it's a great place to visit, for a picnic and a fun day.”

The site is home to three original buildings that were built in the 1860s when Father Pandosy settled in the Okanagan.

“They were the first white settlers to settle in the Central Okanagan at this location,” Hayes said. “It was the starting point of settlement in the area.”

Other buildings have been moved to the site from other areas.

“It's become sort of a place to save heritage buildings,” Hayes said.

The site is open to the public year round for, and hosts family gatherings and weddings.

Hayes hopes events like Saturday's will show families in the area the value of the historical grounds.

“We want people to know that history's alive,” Hayes said. “We want people to come out here, celebrate our history and discover what there is out here.”