Traveling back in time with FestiFall
In keeping with its historic theme, FestiFall returns to Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and welcomes a traveling medicine man, a living history program on the French and Indian War as well as period music, artisans and food. Sponsored by the Friendship Hill Association in cooperation with the National Park Service, FestiFall allows visitors an enjoyable way to learn about this beautiful park and Albert Gallatin, who is best known as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Jefferson and Madison.
The festival offers the public a taste of the arts, crafts, food and history of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when Gallatin created and lived at Friendship Hill.
“It’s an accomplishment to be able to keep it historically authentic,’ said Joyce McCune of the Friendship Hill Association. “That’s hard to do sometimes. We have been able to keep this a quality festival, and I think it’s a wonderful thing for our area.’
This year, the festival is welcoming Dr. Balthasar and his Marvelous Miracle Elixir, a throwback to the days when medicine men roamed the frontier. He will appear for shows at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
Mike Follin, retired chief of interpretation at the Ohio Historical Society’s museum, will portray Balthasar, who promises his elixir will cure such body ailments as consumption, dyspepsia, summer complaint and gout as well as grow hair on your head and purify the inner mind and organs.
Balthasar previously appeared at Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington during the National Road Festival in the late ’90s.
Follin modeled his character after a tongue-in-cheek editorial that first appeared in the Portsmouth Times in New Hampshire in 1827. The editorial featured a fictional character named Dr. Balthasar Becker and pointed out how ludicrous these medicine showmen were.
In addition, three members of the park service staff will appear in costume for a living history program on the French and Indian War that takes place on the East Porch at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Ranger Brian Reedy, ranger and American Indian specialist Herb Clevenger and volunteer Brenden Reed, a resident of South Carolina who is attending West Virginia University, are offering a program as the park service prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the battle of Fort Necessity next year.
“They will portray the British, French and Indians and explain the role of each in the battle,’ said Mary Ellen Snyder, chief of interpretation. “They will explain how the park service will commemorate the 250th anniversary.’
There will also be plenty of period music to entertain visitors. McCune released a schedule that includes: 11:30 a.m., Young Musicians of Friendship Hill, who are students at Albert Gallatin High School who will play recorders, Scottish drum and fife; noon, Dr. Fred Adams, who will play guitar; 1:45 p.m., Dulcimer Dames from Fairmont, W.Va., and In a Pinch from Morgantown, who also play lap dulcimers; 2:30 p.m., Greene Academy Dulcimer Players; and 4:15 p.m., Christina Baran of Morgantown, who will play banjo.
Snyder and Tom Markwardt, public information officer for the park service, reported there will once again be a pie-eating contest for the children at 2:30 p.m. by the gardener’s cottage site. And several students from the Uniontown Area High School band will demonstrate at a table throughout the day on how to play period musical instruments like the piccolo, flute and violin.
“Amusements for the Mind and Mouth’ will be a table that highlights sweets and toys of the time, McCune reported.
FestiFall will once again present artisans including a blacksmith, quilters, cornhusk dolls and candle making by the Girl Scouts from Friendship Hill Elementary School.
There will also be a table with volunteers making garlands of wild flowers as well as a table with information about the Friendship Hill Association. McCune said the association will also offer T-shirts, umbrellas, mugs, key chains and stadium blankets with the Friendship Hill logo.
And don’t forget the food. McCune, Snyder and Markwardt all noted that many people come to FestiFall for the food.
This year’s menu includes ham and bean soup, pulled beef sandwiches, dill pickles, pickled eggs, corn bread, gingerbread and cream, sugar biscuits, molasses cookies, bread with apple butter, popcorn, coffee, root beer, lemonade and cider.
Visitors will also be able to see the Constitution Week and Lewis and Clark exhibits set up inside the mansion, which will also be open.
And there’s a special treat after FestiFall.
“The first-ever 5K walk/run will be held at the end of FestiFall,’ said Snyder. “It’s something new and different. I think it’s wonderful.’
Frank Maykuth of the Friendship Hill Association said the walk/run serves two purposes: it’s a fund-raiser for the association and it shows off the park.
“It’s like a little jewel out there,’ said Maykuth.
Walkers will start at 5 p.m. and runners start at 6 p.m. on a path that allows visitors to see Friendship Hill’s attractive grounds.
The course begins at the picnic pavilion near the parking lot and the route to be followed will be marked around the grounds.
“You walk on grass and a black top a little,’ said Maykuth.
Out recently to work on the course, Maykuth noted the abundance of wildlife that he saw: “I saw a gray blue heron, deer, turkey and about 30 Canadian geese.’
This is a non-competitive event. Participants pay a $5 entry fee and will receive a commemorative T-shirt that says “I Did the Hill’ and features pictures of Albert Gallatin and Friendship Hill.
Applications and shirts can be picked up at the registration site during FestiFall.
Anyone interested in pre-registering can phone Maykuth at 724-583-9641.
Once again, officials are looking for large crowds at FestiFall, which is the most popular event of the year at this park.
“Last year, they counted 3,000 visitors. It has grown over the years,’ said McCune.
“We had 120 volunteers. Most are members of the Friendship Hill Association but we recruit a few from the outside.’
Why is FestiFall so popular? People point to its authenticity and the fact there is plenty of space for visitors to enjoy themselves. There is no admission charge.
In addition, many visitors are local residents who come back year after year for a community reunion.
And Markwardt noted, “It’s a beautiful site and it’s always a beautiful time of year. You can eat good food and overlook the river on a beautiful fall day. That would have me coming back every year.’
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located along Route 166 between Point Marion and New Geneva. For more information, phone 724-725-9190.