Addison hosting National Road Festival events
The National Road Festival wagon train will create a “living picture of history” when it rolls into Addison in Somerset County on May 17.
Commemorating the 201st anniversary of the National Road and the 39th anniversary of the National Road Festival, the wagon train highlights five days of activities that the Old Petersburg-Addison Historical Society has planned for the festival.
The sight of the horses and wagons with re-enactors dressed like they were taking settlers to the western frontier on what is now Route 40 gives residents and visitors a glimpse of a day in the life of Addison two centuries ago.
“We’re just so proud to welcome the wagon train,” said Joan Whetsell of the historical society. “It’s our own living history re-enactment.”
Viewing the wagon train as it arrives from the east on May 17 and when it continues its journey on May 18 recreates the westward expansion of the United States.
“It gives you a living picture of history played out in front of your eyes,” Whetsell said.
A host of other historical activities in Addison’s festival begin on May 15 and conclude on May 20.
Area students will attend classes in the one-room Humbertson School from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and May 17. Student artwork will be displayed at the school all week.
The Addison Museum, Frederick Augustine History House and Welcome Center and the Petersburg Toll House open at 9 a.m. Tuesday and May 17 and 18. Those sites and the school are scheduled to reopen at 2 p.m. May 19 and 1 p.m. May 20.
The wagon train travelers will set up camp near the toll house after they arrive at 3:30 p.m. May 17. The train will pull out of town at 8:30 a.m. May 18.
“Poppa was a Preacher,” a play written by local playwright Sam McClintock, will be performed at the Addison United Methodist Church social hall on Main Street at 7 p.m. May 18 and May 19.
On May 19, registration for a 5K walk and run will begin at the church at 8 a.m. and the race will start at 9 a.m.
An historical athletic event re-enactment — 1860s-rules baseball — will be played in the ball filed behind the Addison Cemetery at 10 a.m. May 19. Teams from Addison, Rockwood and Pittsburgh will be playing.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19, the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Post 502 from Mount Union will put on a Civil War encampment featuring recreations of life in a military camp at 7151 National Pike, the bypass around Addison.
Sunday, May 20, will begin with the annual “Church on the Green” outdoor mass on the lawn between the United Methodist church and St. John’s Lutheran Church at 9 a.m. A pet blessing ceremony also will be held.
An antique and classic car show will be held on Main Street beginning at 11:15 a.m.