Monday, October 15, 2012

Fort Freeland Heritage Days


On the first week-end of October each year, Reenactors, artisans, journeymen, and apprentices arrive  in period dress for one of the most authentic, educational,  Heritage Festivals on the east coast.  At the Historic Warrior Run Church, and at the site of Fort Freeland, tents are erected, stoves are set up, fires are lit, and crafts and trades and history lessons are all taught, for two straight days.  

 
Admission is just $6 for adults ($5 if you print a coupon!) $2 for students and children under 5 are free.  "Enjoy two full days of   colonial foods, demonstrations, crafts, and lectures that will help visitors of all ages better understand the lives of the early settlers in the Warrior Run area. "

 
 When you arrive at Heritage Days,once you pay your admission you will be handed a plastic spoon.   Many of the stands have free tastings.  Everything from popcorn to coleslaw, to three sisters stew, and if you are of age, even a wine tasting.  

Some of our farm animals, with our children, participating in a stand at Heritage Days in 2012
There is often a small petting zoo at the festival including goats, pigs and poultry


Skilled tradesmen and heritage crafters are paired with student apprentices, demonstrating over fifty skills of the 18th and 19th centuries, using period tools to recreate traditional past times and trades. Demonstrations, crafts and exhibits include 18th century laundering, 19th century herbs, bobbin lace-making, quilting, sampler making, tatting, spinning, cross-stitching, needlework, weaving, rag rug crocheting, wood splitting, bowl making, flax culture and knitting. Traditional trades are showcased by blacksmithing, brick making, butchering, cigar making, coopering, fence making, pottery, pump making, rake making, rope making plus tinsmithing. Food demonstrations and exhibits include handmade and processed apple butter, clear toy candy, potato candy, pie baking, plus Three Sisters Stew and hearth-cooking demonstrations.

 
At 11am and 2pm on Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday, you can watch a 1:00 PM – Fort Freeland Battle Reenactment by Roger Swartz and Ft Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen

Often there are activities the children can take part in, such as scratching designs into dyed eggs.

At 3:00 pm on Sunday, there occurs an auction, where you can purchase items made by the apprentices.  These often include everything from pies and rope to honey and stamped coins. Following the auction is a  Parade of Apprentices. 


The rag man travels throughout the festival telling stories.

 
 Visitors can often experience doing laundry the way it was done in 1800, watch how coleslaw was made, or how candles were dipped.


A variety of musicians, story tellers, and "medicine men" roam the festival with their performances.

 Water boys deliver water to the various stands throughout the day.

Horse drawn wagons take visitors from the Fort Freeland house and barn over to the Historic Warrior Run church, where the Civil War Encampment is located.

On Sunday morning, a church service (free and open to the public, no admission required) is held at the Historic Warrior Run Church.  The church has services twice a year - a candlelight Christmas service each December, and this historical service each October.  There are no electric lights in this building.


Fort Freeland Heritage Days has been included in National Geographics Geotourism MapGuide to Appalachia, which  was published in the April 2005 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.   https://www.arc.gov/program_areas/GeotourismMapguidetoAppalachia.asp


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Go here to download a coupon for $1 off admission
(coupon is usually in the middle of the page)

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2019 Event Schedule

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
9:30 AM to 5:00 PM – All Day Events
• Apprentice Demonstrations by Apprentice Master Program
• Butchering with John Marr, Bill Hartman and other volunteers (meat orders are taken starting at 9:30 AM)
• Native American Village by Southern Woodland Indian Loyal Confederacy
• Hand Hewn log home building, music and culture – Randy, Josey and Levi Brendle
• Revolutionary Clothing Display by Rebecca Ermisch
• Revolutionary Encampment by the Fort Augusta Regiment
• Bob Gutheinz strolling music and instruction (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
10:00 AM – Wooden Wheel Tire Setting with Bradd Mertz
10:30 AM – Herb Gardening at the Herb Garden by Vicki Egli
11:00 AM – History Fort Freeland, Fort Freeland Battle Reenactment by Roger Swartz and Fort Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen
1:30 PM – Herb Gardening at the Herb Garden by Vicki Egli
2:00 PM – History Fort Freeland, Fort Freeland Battle Reenactment by Roger Swartz and Fort Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen
2:30 PM – Wooden Wheel Tire Setting with Bradd Mertz
4:30 PM – Parade of Apprentices by Apprentice Master Program
5:00 PM – Lowering of the Flag by Ft Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen  


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
9:30 AM – Church Service with Civil War Era Sermon *Warrior Run Church* (Rev. Paul Smith as Rev. Billy Sunday)
11:00 AM – Raising of the Flag by the Fort Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM – All Day Events
• Apprentice Demonstrations by Apprentice Master Program
• Native American Village by Southern Woodland Indian Loyal Confederacy
• Hand Hewn log home building, music and culture – Randy, Josey and Levi Brendle
• Revolutionary Clothing Display by Rebecca Ermisch
• Revolutionary Encampment by the Fort Augusta Regiment
• Bob Gutheinz strolling music and instruction (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
• North Central Chapter 8 Society for Pennsylvania Archeology Dig – Andrea Campbell
11:30 AM – Herb Gardening at the Herb Garden with Vicki Egli
12:00 PM – Wooden Wheel Tire Setting by Bradd Mertz
1:00 PM – History Fort Freeland, Fort Freeland Battle Reenactment by Roger Swartz and Ft Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen
2:00 PM – Wooden Wheel Tire Setting by Bradd Mertz
2:30 PM – Herb Gardening at the Herb Garden by Vicki Egli
3:00 PM – Auction to Benefit the Apprentice Program with Auctioneer David Weaver
4:30 PM – Parade of Apprentices by Apprentice Master Program
5:00 PM – Lowering of the Flag by Ft Freeland Co of Independent Riflemen


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