"It was originally a children’s book," said Kirsten Lee Villegas, executive director of the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum.

The book, by Elsie Lee Splear, tells the story of a real-life Midwestern farm family and what it was like to grow up on a farm in the early 1900s. The original paintings, by Ken Stark, which became the illustrations for the book are part of the display.

"Part of what makes the paintings so delightful is they are casein paintings, and casein paint is a milk-based paint. It’s a type of paint used at the time," Villegas said. "They truly capture the experiences a family would have gone through living off the land at the time."

A number of artifacts from the author’s family are on display as well as pieces from the museum’s own collection such as an original John Deere plow and photographs. One of the highlights is an indoor barn where visitors can practice milking a life-size cow, Villegas said.

A full slate of events is scheduled to accompany the visit, which is presented through June 28. The educational events help expose the rich history of the agricultural past while also seeking to inspire a new generation to explore the gifts of gardening as well as cooking with the fruits of their work.

Wisconsin author and gardener Melinda Myers is one of the featured speakers, scheduled for May 3, and a cooking series presented by Chef Dean Schmitz of The Black Trumpet Restaurant and The Clarke Hotel will offer ways to use locally grown produce.

While the cooking series does have an additional cost of $5 per class, all of the other presentations are included in the $5 admission cost to the museum.

"It shows how people lived when they didn’t have as many luxuries, and it might even inspire people to want to try to do what they did back then," Villegas said.

From canning vegetables to planting a garden, Villegas said many of the classes and experiences offered should give visitors the confidence and inspiration to be an active part of their own growing season.

"I think people will see you can do this," Villegas said.

For more information, visit the museum at www.waukeshacountymuseum.org. More information on the book and "Growing Seasons" can be found at www.growingseasons.com.

At a glance

‘Growing Seasons’

Programming and events schedule

March 14: Cub Scout Clinic, "Your Collections," 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 28: Brownie Open House, "Plants," 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (pre-registration required)

March 28: Member Night with "Gallery Talk," 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

April 4: Cub Scout Open House, "Farm Life," 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

April 18: "Adventures with Ma and Pa," a special tools and tales interactive presentation, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (free with museum admission)

May 2: Story Time with "Growing Seasons" curator Carolyn Splear Pratt

May 3: Melinda Myers, "How to Plant a Vegetable Garden"

May 9: Community Day at the Farmers Market

May 10: Mother’s Day weekend ($1 admission for mothers)

May 16: 4-H Day at the Museum