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Celebrate
the Past at Heritage Days
Each year, hundreds of volunteers participate in the Annual Warrior
Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Days recreating the past and interpreting
the daily activities of the colonial-era pioneers who settled Central
Pennsylvania.
Held early in October, on the grounds of the Warrior Run High School
complex, expert and apprentice trades people will demonstrate more
than 80 skills of the 18th and 19th centuries, using authentic period
tools to recreate traditional trades and pastimes. The two-day living
history event will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Heritage Days, sponsored by the Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage
Society, has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums
and Historical Organizations with their prestigious Award of Merit.
The PFMHO recognizes institutions from across the state whose projects
have made an exemplary contribution to the preservation and conservation
of local history. Heritage Days is a 2005 award winner. National
Geographic also has honored the event by selecting the festival
for inclusion in its special edition "Geotourism Map Guide
to Appalachia," as an event that sustains and enhances the
geographical character of the area, the environment, culture, and
heritage.
Members and friends of the society dress in authentic costumes of
the period and demonstrate and share living history experiences
in an old-fashioned rural setting recreated for the weekend’s
event. Staged at the site of an historic military engagement, visitors
may watch a re-enactment of the Battle of Fort Freeland as American
Revolution patriots are challenged by the British and their allies.
When not engaged in battle, the Independent Rifleman of Fort Freeland
give details of their military life and experiences at their camp.
Members of the Southeastern Woodland Loyalist Native American Confederacy,
wearing either 18th century regalia or portraying colonials who
were their military allies and trading partners, set up camp in
the Native Village. Its members specialize in Native American women’s
and men’s roles, clothing, warfare and weapons, pottery, finger
and wampum weaving, twinning and games.
Some of the demonstrations include bobbin lace-making, tatting,
cross-stitching, spinning, weaving, quilting, rag rug crocheting,
knitting, basket making and wheat weaving. Traditional trades are
represented by the blacksmith, tinsmith, cooper, timber framer,
wood carver, chair caner, gunsmith, brick maker, potter, and nail
and cigar makers. Using old-fashioned cook stoves, food demonstrators
willingly share their pig stomach, onion eggs and corn fritters,
pickled cabbage and sauerkraut. Potato candy, homemade ice cream,
hand-churned butter, freshly pressed cider and gingerbread may be
sampled, as well. In addition, the event features lectures, displays,
storytelling and special music, along with the Three Sisters Garden.
This year’s festival will include demonstrations of hide tanning,
herb culture, paper-making, powder horn engraving, fraktur writing,
and stained glass art. On the entertainment schedule, there will
be children’s stories and special presentations on George
Washington watchkey and its comparison with the charred pendant
uncovered during the 1978-79 archaeological dig of the stockaded
Fort Freeland site.
The nearby historic Warrior Run Church, which is listed on the state
and national registries of historic places and the American Presbyterian/Reformed
Registry of Historical Sites, will be open for tours. This three-acre
site includes the burial ground where at least 73 soldiers of the
Revolution are interred. The public is invited to the formal worship
service at the church at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Pets and smoking are not allowed on the premises during this “rain
or shine” event. Admission is $7 for adults, $1 for students.
Free on-site parking is available.
(ATTENTION MEDIA: CONTACT: Jane Shuman (570) 538-1417;
EVENT: Annual Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Days Festival
Dig Personnel
Meet the archaeologists, students and volunteers working at the
Muncy Canal site
Dig Diaries
Participate in the exciting discoveries by reading the latest from
the field
Ask an Archaeologist
Visit our FAQs page to get answers to all your questions about the
dig
The Archaeologist's Toolbox
Learn about the tools we use before, during, and after excavations
Archaeology for Kids
Here are a few games and puzzles to help young children and students
learn about archaeology
Upcoming Events
Learn more about us, and get information on visiting the site or
taking part in one of our programs
Media Coverage
Read all about it! Public Radio, local newspapers, Web 'zines and
television newscasts investigate The Muncy Heritage Park and Nature
Trail
Join the Society
Want to help with the Archaeology Dig? Become a member of the Muncy
Historical Society
Muncy Historical Society
Visit the Muncy Historical Society's Web site
Robin
Van Auken, archaeologist for the project
Meet Robin Van Auken and find out more about the field school she
teaches for Lycoming College
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