Nancy Blyler of the Onion Creek Band stood behind an instrument so large it needed a stand to support its weight.

Known as the hammered dulcimer, the unusual instrument is played by striking strings directly in a percussive style. As unusual as it might sound, Blyler describes this wooden box as a cousin to the piano.

ISU’s own Farm House Museum celebrated Independence Day with live music, dance and the opening of a time capsule from 1991. The event was also celebrating the building’s 40 years as a museum and the 155 years as the oldest building on campus.

The celebrations featured food and drink as well as Victorian-era games and exhibitions of historical tractors and balers.

Music and dance was provided by the Onion Creek Cloggers and Band, an Ames-based organization that performs old Appalachian songs. The cloggers danced in the Virginia Flatfoot style, which features leather-soled shoes and partner-based dancing.

The music was performed on acoustic instruments including the banjo, upright bass, fiddle and wooden spoon. Nancy Blyler, the group’s leader, stood in the front row with her hammered dulcimer.

“The songs are very accessible to new people,” Blyler said. “The kids love the dancing that goes along with this music. Once you get the kids dancing, the whole group joins in.”

The group hopes to keep Appalachian traditions alive while having fun. Darla Earll, another hammered dulcimer player, called the music “a part of our heritage we need to preserve.”

Von Kaster, the group’s upright bass player, encouraged those in the Ames area to attend the group’s Sunday practice if they are interested in joining.

The event also featured the opening of a time capsule made in 1991. The capsule was intended to be opened in 2001, the museum’s 25th anniversary, but was lost and forgotten in one of the house’s crawl spaces. Its rediscovery came as a complete surprise to ISU staff.

The capsule contained memorabilia from the past and letters from children to their future selves. A set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures was accompanied by plastic bags of polaroid pictures and notes from students in elementary school.

Another attraction included an exhibition of historical tractors and balers presented by the Gilbert Tractor Club. The row of vehicles featured brand names that still exist today, such as John Deere. The oldest farm equipment on display dated back to 1941.