News & Updates

A Glimpse of Bygone Eras

Posted on Oct 06, 2008

WORKING IT OLD SCHOOL — Keegan Franks of Danville adds coals to the fire to burn out the middle of this timber to craft a canoe.

TURBOTVILLE — Those who visited the 27th annual Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society’s Heritage Days over the weekend know history is alive and well.

Put yourself in the right mindset and it’s almost like walking through a time portal, passing through the tent-style entrance to the Hower-Slote House site behind the Warrior Run High School.

Anyone participating in the event would have been happy to help you get that feeling — living history is what they do.

“I just enjoy it...dressing up; it’s just a fun experience,” said young Keegan Franks of Danville, demonstrating an old technique for crafting a canoe.

David Marr, 18, of Muncy, started the society’s apprenticeship program last year. He works with his mentor and uncle, John Marr, in post rail fencing.

“It’s hard work,” David said. “But cool to see the end product.”

He noted his product was rather advanced for the times, taking the place of the traditional stake and rail fencing. While most people would think of conservation in today’s terms, he said switching fencing styles was an old method of saving wood.

Gary Keefer of New Jersey, sharing his love of history at his first Heritage Days, said he’s very impressed by what he sees. He’s been to events celebrating the past all over the country, but many limit it to costumed settlers selling their wares.

Heritage Days is special in that it shows off so many crafts, trades and hands-on demonstrations.

“I usually don’t see that at shows,” Keefer said. “If somebody wants to get into it (a trade) they can.

“This is neat.”

Keefer was accompanied at the site with his daughter, Leanne Bechdel of Mifflinburg. It was her second year there, and like many others, presented herself in traditional colonial style clothing.

Bechdel shared she’s been taking her interests one step farther. She’s helped people find graves of their ancestors, and has also been spending time researching her own family history, dating back to the Colonial era.

“Mixing genealogy with living history makes it even better,” Bechdel said of celebrating the past.

A new, popular attraction to this year’s display of living history included an authentic 1860s canal passenger boat, an award-winning restoration project by the Muncy Historical Society.

Bill Poulton, executive director of the society, in traditional garb, said the boat was used between Danville and Sunbury. It was found a few years ago when a house was to be torn down and it was discovered inside. It’s now used in the area as a traveling education exhibit.

“It’s a piece of living history, our history,” he said.

Bob Franks, WRFF Heritage Society president, said on Saturday afternoon it looked to be another good year for Heritage Days. He’s excited that people keep attending because he knows how hard everyone works to put it all together.

Patrons, like Jeff Bower of Watsontown, said they can appreciate that.

“It’s all interesting, and a neat way to spend the afternoon.”



Cub Scouts Keefer Goodspeed, 8, of Turbotville, and Wyatt Fisher, 8, of White Hall, have a little dance session at The Lowlander Highlanders site at the Warrior-Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society’s Heritage Days. The event is held annually at the Hower-Slote site behind the Warrior Run High School and down the road at the Historic Warrior Run Church. It makes for the perfect opportunity to soak in local, living history.

Jeff Shaffer: 570-742-9671
jeff@standard-journal.com

Source: Standard Journal News


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