FestiFall draws crowds
SPRINGHILL TWP. – Wearing period clothing from the 18th century, Toni L’Hommedieu took a break from the festivities occurring at Friendship Hill Sunday afternoon as part of the FestiFall ’08 and removed her straw hat. L’Hommedieu, who is president of the Friendship Hill Association, said the two-day event went off without a hitch. “People are still coming and we only have another hour to go,” she said.
Officials estimated about 2,000 people attended the festival, which is sponsored by the Friendship Hill Association in cooperation with the National Park Service.
L’Hommedieu said attendance was down from last year, attributing the slight decrease to the weather, other festivals and the economy.
Nonetheless, L’Hommedieu said she was thrilled with the turnout, despite being exhausted from spending two days on her feet.
L’Hommedieu said the purpose of the association is to raise money to pay for things needed to keep the historic house in prime condition.
All of the money collected during FestiFall is used to help preserve Albert Gallatin’s mansion, the focal point of the Friendship Hill Historic Site, located along Route 166, approximately three miles north of Point Marion.
Gallatin, a Swiss immigrant who engaged in public service, is perhaps best known for this 14-year term as Secretary of the Treasury during the Jefferson and Madison administrations.
During that time, Gallatin reduced the national debt, paved the way for purchase of the Louisiana Territory and funded the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Gallatin built his home in 1789 and lived there until 1825, moving his family to New York City.
L’Hommedieu said she believed having American Indian cultural demonstrations for the first time was a big draw this year.
The demonstrations occurred throughout both days, Saturday and Sunday.
Of Huron descent, Ghost in the Head exhibited an interactive public display of native materials and crafts.
Shining Spirit, of Cherokee descent, taught visitors about native games while Kinorea Tigri-Two Feather, also of Cherokee descent, cooked and discussed traditional gardens and foods.
Mary Ellen Snyder, chief of interpretation and visitor services at Friendship Hill, said the goal was to teach people about the contributions that American Indians made during Gallatin’s lifetime.
“Our hope is that visitors gain an understanding of the past and present Native American contributions to this region and our nation. Later in his life Gallatin became very interested in Native American culture and founded the American Ethnological Society,” Snyder said.
In addition to participating in the American Indian demonstrations, visitors were given the opportunity to meander around the grounds at Gallatin’s country estate. Vendors selling food and specialty items were set up throughout the grassy lawn surrounding the mansion.
L’Hommedieu said she wished as many people visited the national historic society on a regular basis.
“We’d really like to see more people here,” she said.
Although FestiFall is only held once a year, during the last weekend in September, Gallatin’s mansion is open for tours throughout the year and the park is open from sunup to sundown seven days a week.
For more information about the park, call 724-725-9190 or visit its Web Site at www.nps.gov/frhi/.