No books or classroom needed – it’s easy to learn history when you’re walking through the Miracle of America Museum in Polson. And every July during Live History Days, history comes to life as museum personnel start the engines and bring many of the static exhibits to life.

This year’s event is scheduled for July 15-16 and the museum is looking for volunteers who would like to join the fun and help demonstrate, drive and interpret during the two-day event.

Crafters have many opportunities to show visitors how things were done in times past through demonstrations and displays in the main building or an appropriate location on site. Participants in Live History Days range from quilters, spinners and needlework experts to flint-knapping and glass-blowing experts.

Back in the day before television and the Internet, entertainment was often family members sitting on the front porch playing and singing together. Musicians who can still rosin a bow and play a tune are encouraged to bring those experiences to life once again.

Volunteers are needed to demonstrate machines such as the flywheel-engine-powered can crusher or the gas-powered Maytag wringer washer. A crowd favorite is the 1948 Fly-O-Plane that requires an operator and assistants to help load and unload the plane. There’s also a train that requires an engineer and conductor.

According to museum founder Gil Mangels, “If you love to drive, we can find something for you to demonstrate during Live History Days. We have machines ready to go including a motorcycle with sidecar, tractors or military vehicles. And if you’re a mechanic who loves to explain how things work, we have jobs for you!”

Those who enjoy reading to children can volunteer as a schoolmarm for the day or for an hour so other teachers can take a break. And those familiar with the hydraulics of a schoolhouse pump can remind everyone that getting water in the old days wasn’t as simple as turning on the tap.

Veterans might want to supervise the firing of the museum’s 106 recoilless rifle mounted on a Vietnam-era “Mule,” which shoots tennis balls using compressed air instead of live ammo.

To volunteer for Live History Days, call Gil or Helen at the museum, 406-883-6804, or send a note to info@miracleofamericamuseum.org.