Fall Family Fun Day 2017

Despite the rain and chilly clouds, the Burkes and the Hanchers had a great time at Hanna’s Town for their Fall Family Fun Day on Saturday.  There were lots of programs and activities to keep everyone informed and entertained. There was a demonstration of potato jack-o-lantern carving on the porch, and a decorated tree in the display room.

Then Taylor – their youthfully exuberant tour guide – took Kelly, Peyton, Chrissy, Logan, and Chase for a complete tour of the tavern, the stockade, the covered wagon, the stocks, and the site.  They learned about life in the 1770’s, about the attack on the town by the Indians, and how the site because what it is today, complete with artifacts in the display cases. 

After the tour, the kids jumped in and played with the colonial toys, including stilts and tops and tug of war.  Just about then, Lisa rang her bell, and took the group on a cemetery tour.  We had not quite reached the path when a group of colonials jumped out and demanded that we release the deserter among us.  He stepped forward and was pronounced condemned to be shot for his desertion from his post.   Despite his protests, he was ‘shot’ on the spot and dragged away in the grass.  Lisa explained that this was a true story reenacted, and that laws weren’t as fair or clear- cut as they may be now.  At the cemetery she told the stories of those killed or buried there. 

Chase got cold part way though and I took him down to do crafts in the warmth of the tavern basement, but the rest stuck it out.  They joined us afterwards to make yarn babies and refrigerator magnets.  Proctor’s militia were having a weapons demonstration, which Kelly, Peyton and Logan went over to watch. 

We did have a great time, and are already looking forward to the next program at the site, which will be next summer.  In the meantime, check out the Candlelight Open house on November 2nd from 4 to 8pm, and the Colonial Teas on November 11th and 18th. There is also the Tree Centuries of Chrismas in American on December 2nd and 9th – check out all the programs on the site at www.westmorelandhistory.org – Hanna’s Town.  Hope to see you there!