Annual Jamestown Village Fair planned.
By Mary Browning, for 7/10/05, credit for attached photo: Fred Browning.
It sounds as though Saturday, July 16 will be the day to explore “Old Jamestown”
if you haven’t already done it—or even if you have.
That is when the Historic Jamestown Society will sponsor its third annual
Village Fair, at the Richard Mendenhall Plantation, at 601 W. Main St. in
Jamestown (across from High Point City Lake Park). The event is free (except for
the hot dogs), and the hours are 10 until 4. And, there’s plenty of shade under
the big walnut trees.
All of the larger and most of the smaller buildings on the grounds of the
plantation will be open. These include the 1811 Richard Mendenhall house, the
old Pennsylvania-style bank barn, several outbuildings, the replica schoolhouse,
and also the Madison Lindsay Medical School.
They are furnished with furniture, pottery, household utensils, farming tools,
textiles, medical instruments, spinning wheels, wagons and buggies, and all the
other things we associate with rural life in the 19th century. The old meeting
house in High Point City Lake Park will be open also, as this was once an
important part of Old Jamestown. It sat at the end of Union Street, which once
ran due south to cross Main (old Federal) and to run between Richard
Mendenhall’s house and his barn, past his tannery.
Jamestown was first settled about 1759. It became a chartered town in 1813, and
most of these buildings represent those earliest years of its life.
Of unusual interest in the Mendenhall barn is the false-bottom wagon, one of
only two known to exist, which were used to transport slaves who were hidden
under cargo, and to carry them to the Midwest on the Underground Railroad.
Making return engagements to the Village Fair this year are two special
performances. One, Pat Holmes as famous African American ####### Harriet Tubman,
is very engaging in her portrayal of this famous woman. She will probably be on
hand in late morning.
The other performance, by a costumed group from the Outdoor Theater at Snow
Camp, where “The Sword of Peace” and “Pathway to Freedom” are presented during
the summer months, will probably appear about 3 pm.
Outside the Lindsay house is the herb garden, a project of the Cedarwood Garden
Club. The garden now has brick walks, a millstone centerpiece, and established
plants that are identified..
Also returning will be an archaeologist with his display of Native American
spear points and similar items. Spinners and quilters will be at work
demonstrating their practical skills in the Mendenhall House. There will be
games for kids, and some arts and crafts to work on: quilt fans, bonnets, and
cornhusk dolls.
For the first time, a blacksmith will be on hand to demonstrate what the old
apprentice bonds used to refer to as the “art and mystery” of his craft.
Another first will be the silent auction of an old claw footed bathtub. This
elderly beauty sat in regal splendor on a raised platform in a back second-floor
room of the Richard Mendenhall House for many years, but needs a new home now.
Even if you’re not interested in the tub, this will be a fun way for your and
your family to spend some quality Saturday time. Call 454-3819 for more
information.
News & Record, Sunday, July 10, 2005
Reprinted with permission of the News & Record
and of the author