2011 Living History

COLONIAL TRADE FAIRE
LIVING HISTORY PORTRAYALS
TOURS
WORKSHOPS, LECTURES & DEMONSTRATIONS
FOR YOUTH

Events marked may be eligible for teacher licensure recertification.

2011 Colonial Trade Faire


Fields Penn 1860 House Museum

Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fields Penn 1860 House Museum
208 West Main Street, corner of Cummings and Main Street
Check the board at Fields-Penn House for a list of Daily Activities.

Vendors, trades and crafts displays and demonstrations including:

  • Pepe's Possibles -- Leather work, hunting pouches, knives
  • David and Rene Gillispie -- Tombstone Carver, Gunsmith, handmade diaries, weaving supplies
  • Split Rail Clothier -- Period clothing
  • Bows of Wool -- Period made bows and arrows, quivers
  • Lady of Letters -- Handmade books and all sorts of writing accoutrements
  • Daniel Perkins -- Mountain Pottery
  • Gerold Dukes -- Powder Horn maker
  • Larry Arel -- Wooden toys and utensils
  • Meadowsweet Traders -- Soaps, perfume and ladies toiletries
  • Virginia Tucker -- Maker of all fashionable floor cloths
  • Blacksmith and Forge -- All types and styles of forged objects

Plus other trades and crafts persons as they stop by on their travels between the Southwest Virginia outposts. They too will be offering the finest of "current fashion and all types of items found in larger towns and cities" such as Williamsburg and Yorktown of Virginia or Charleston of the South Carolina Colony.

During their stay various trades people will be demonstrating their trade or craft. Be sure not to miss the tombstone maker as he is in great demand. It is never to early to place your order with him. For more information contact Rick Humphreys at 276-608-3465 or the Fields Penn House 1860 House Museum at 276-676-0216.

Ghosts and Spirits at the Colonial Trade Faire
Saturday, July 23, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Colonial Trade Faire by Candlelight
Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Join us by the glow of the flame at the Colonial Trade Faire at .

Living History Portrayals

Blue Gray Historical Group Civil War Encampment
Saturday, July 23, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
Sunday, July 24, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
Saturday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
Sunday, August 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Barter Green

The Blue Gray Historical group will be back at the Highland Festival this year on July 23 and 24 and August 6 and 7. This year they will be set up on the Barter Green for folks to tour the camp and see the living history. There will be a full scale 12 pound cannon plus a period Blacksmith and Jonah the story teller will be in camp. Come by and watch history unfold before your eyes as you travel back to Southwest Virginia during the 1860's. There will be something for everyone to enjoy. The camp will open up at 10:00 a.m. each day and close at 6:00 pm on Saturday’s and 4:00 pm on Sunday’s!

The Blue Gray Historical group is a part of Sons of Confederate Veterans and have been on several TV shows and documentaries throughout the past several years. The Blue Gray had a TV appearance this year on Beyond Paranormal, The Major Graham Mansion! They have also been in numerous reenactments throughout Southwest VA. Bring the family by for a fun filled weekend at the Barter Green.

For more information contact Terry Hunt at 276-496-5988 or email terryhunt05@comcast.net.

Tours

Tour of Log Cabins
Sunday, July 24, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 30, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Meet at Cummings Cabin in Sinking Spring Cemetery
Advance registration recommended

Please arrive a few minutes early to meet your guide, David Winship, at the Cummings Cabin in Sinking Spring Cemetery at the corner of Valley Street and Russell Road. A trolly or bus will transport each group to the other three: Breckinridge, Emmit Yeary and Fairview log cabins. Call 276-623-8337 or email to register.

Tour of Sinking Spring Cemetery
Saturday, July 23, and Saturday, July 30, 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.
Meet at Cummings Cabin in Sinking Spring Cemetery

Joe Preston, Washington County native and history teacher at Damascus Middle School, will lead this walk through American history from the 1700s to the present. The site is on land where the first Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church was built in 1774. The tour begins at the Rev. Charles Cummings cabin (circa 1774) and includes the War Between the States graves and the final resting places for two Virginia Governors and other early Abingdon families, and more. Rain or shine. Bring an umbrella and water and wear walking shoes. For more information contact Joe Preston at 276-944-4413 or email.

Tours of Historic White's Mill & Mercantile
Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Rain or Shine
Free Admission, donations welcomed

Don't miss this once in a lifetime experience! White's Mill is scheduled to begin long awaited restoration this year. Please see the scheduled events page on www.whitesmill.org to see what aspects of the project are being completed. For more information contact Jennifer Kling at 276-628-2960, grvwfarm@earthlink.net.

Abingdon’s Historic Places Walking Tour
Saturday, July 23, 30 and August 6; Sunday, July 24 and 31;
and Tuesday, July 26 and August 2, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Meet at the Clock Tower in front of the Abingdon Town Hall on Main Street

Join local historians Carl Mallory or John Dreyzehner on an easy walk highlighting the historic sties and stories that have shaped the history and times of the region and indeed the nation and give Abingdon its place as a crossroads of history, culture and the way to the early west in our nation’s history. All tours start at 7:00 p.m. Meet at the Clock Tower in front of the Abingdon Town Hall on Main Street. Bring an umbrella and water and wear your walking shoes. There is no charge.

Historic Working Mill: Parks Mill and Grounds
Daily, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Parks Mill, 21405 Parks Mill Road

Come visit this historic 18th century water powered grist mill still in operation on Fifteen Mile Creek in Washington County Virginia. The original mill was built around 1780. This historic structure has been restored to working condition. You are welcome to view the working mill and pleasant grounds with mill products and food available in a relaxing environment described as "front porch Americana." Located 3.5 miles south on route 75 off I-81, exit 17, then left on Parks Mill Road, 1.5 miles on route 622. For more information contact John Dreyzehner at 276-356-5646.


Photo: TodaysPhoto.org

Duncanville One-Room School House
July 23, 24,25,30,31, August 1,6,7,
Saturday's & Monday's 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Sunday’s, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Stanley Street

The Duncansville One-Room School Museum will be open during the Highlands Festival. This building was moved in 2000 from its location in Washington County to its present location on Stanley Street across from the E.B. Stanley Middle School. This building was built in 1889 on land owned by Henry and Amanda Duncan, given by them to be used as a school. It was discontinued in 1954 when many of the one- and two-room schools in the county were consolidated with larger schools. Ray Duncan, who owned the building, deeded the building to the Washington County School Board in 1999, and the School Board now owns and maintains the building. It has been furnished with desks of the period and other memorabilia. For more information call 276-628-2054.

Norfolk & Western Railway Locomotive, M-433
Saturday, July 30, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Creeper Trail Head

Built in 1907, this historic steam engine worked for the N&W Railway until 1958 when it was retired and moved to the Abingdon entrance to the Virginia Creeper Trail. The N&W Class M (nicknamed "Mollies") may be seen in O. Winston Link's photography collection, "A Day on the Abingdon Branch," a portion of which is on display in the Historical Society of Washington County Library on Depot Square. This locomotive exhibit is courtesy of the Abingdon Department of Parks & Recreation with the assistance of dedicated volunteers. For more information contact James Agner at 276-623-5279 or jagner@abingdon.com.

Loafers and Gentlemen; Historic Abingdon Tours
Monday, July 25, Wednesday, July 27, Thursday, July 28, Friday July 28,
Wednesday, August 3 and Sunday, August 7, 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Meet at the Barter Theatre Fountain, Main Street

Your guide, dressed in Colonial Period attire, will entertain and educate you with Abingdon's unique architecture and historical connection to the settlement of our Nation, the American and French Revolutions, formation of the Lost State of Franklin, the Alamo, the Civil War, First Ladies of the United States and much more! Beginning at the corner of Partington Place and East Main Street, across from the Barter Theatre, your guide will walk you through the streets of downtown Abingdon, sharing with you its history and architecture the whole way. Each tour is approximately one and a half hours long. Those wishing to join a tour are asked to gather at 8:00 p.m. at the Barter Fountain. Call 276-619-1381 for more information.

Workshops, Lectures and Demonstrations

Abingdon: Glimpses of the Past and Present
Washington County Public Library
Thursday, August 4, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Award-winning author of 10 published books, Donna G. Akers, will present a lecture and PowerPoint presentation about Abingdon’s local history. She has collected hundreds of historic images and stories documenting the past of this unique frontier town turned tourist destination. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the historic stories about many of the landmarks here,and to develop a deeper understanding of the character of Abingdon, from its beginnings to the present time. Her latest book, Abingdon Then & Now (2010), will provide much of the content for the presentation. For more information, please contact her by email and visit www.donnaakers.com.

Telling the Story -- "The Battle of Kings Mountain"
Daily from Saturday, July 23 through Sunday, August 7,
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Muster Grounds Interpretative Center

Come and learn about this famous battle that Thomas Jefferson called “One of the turning points of the Revolution,” from the descendents of the men who fought at this battle. Members of the General William Campbell Sons of the American Revolution, Blacks Fort Daughters of the American Revolution, Historical Society of Washington County, Va., and Overmountain Men will share their fascinating story. Hear how the militia came to the Muster Grounds on Colonial Road in Abingdon, a site The National Park Service has now certified as the northern trailhead of the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail. Listen as the backcountry women share hardships and heartaches during the fall of 1780 as they learn their husbands, brothers and fathers would not be coming home from battle. For more information contact Joella Barbour at 276-429-5058.

Telling The Story -- "Living in the Backcountry"
Daily, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Muster Grounds Interpretative Center, 702 Colonial Road
Presented by Joella Barbour, Bettie Johnson, Susan Patrick and others

Join the members of the Blacks Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Living History Portrayers and hear about life in the 1780s. Visit the camp and learn about cooking, survival skills, dress, children’s games, medicine, and other activities of daily life. Learn why colonial men, women, and children worked from “sunup to sundown” as you relive the lives of your ancestors. Daughters from the Fort Chiswell Chapter in Bristol will assist with this event. For more information contact Joella Barbour at 276-429-5058.

Archeology at Muster Grounds
Saturday, July 30 & 31, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Muster Grounds interpretative Center

Discover with us what treasures have been found at the site of the 1780 Muster Grounds. This site is where the Overmountain Men left on their march to Kings Mountain where they defeated the British. This site, along with the new Visitor/Interpretative Center will be open daily. On July 31 and August 1, an archaeologist will be on site to explain how a dig is constructed and what was found at this site. The Visitor/Interpretative Center is open daily and staffed by the Abingdon Tourism Center employees. For more information call 276-676-2282.

Representing Appalachia: Myths, Mirrors & Messages
Wednesday, August 3, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Capo’s Music Store, 903 East Main Street

Potrayals of Appalachia and Appalachians in film, written work and other media offer plenty of material for discussion. Join us for a presentation and conversation as we explore representations of regional identities through the lens of "media literacy," considering questions of authorship, aims and intended audiences behind the messages. John Sherwood Lewis teaches history and regional Studies in the Department of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. Annalisa L. Raymer teaches Appalachian studies and other subjects at Emory & Henry College in the Department of Public Policy and Community Service and in the masters program in Community and Organizational Leadership.

For more information contact Amy Ball Braswell at 276-525-1880 or email caposmusicstore@gmail.com

Climbing My Family Tree
Monday, July 25 and Monday, August 1, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Historic Train Station, 306 Depot Square
$15.00 half hour
Advance Registration required by July 22 for the July 25th sessions and July 29 for August 1st sessions.

Pre-Registration required by calling 276-623-8337 to reserve a half hour, send or drop off check. Register by Friday, July 22 for Monday, July 25, or by Friday, July 29, for Monday, August 1, 2011. Persons interested in searching their ancestry should turn in a sheet showing their direct line back as many generations as they know along with a check for $15/half hour, made out to Historical Society of Washington County, VA. Please arrive at the Historic Passenger Station Library, 306 Depot Square, Abingdon, VA 15 minutes before your scheduled time.

For more information contact Eleanor Grasselli at 276-475-3709 or email .


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