9/13/2011
BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. – The Legacy of Mary Ingles, in its 23rd year, is an 18th century living history weekend. Visitors and guests are introduced to the ways of our pioneering ancestors through demonstrations and the portrayal of life in 1755 that Mary Ingles lived and encountered. The 2011 event will be presented at
Beech Fork State Park near Barboursville.
The presentations are part of a three-day encampment with more than 20 interpreters and tradesmen and women staged in primitive encampment settings. The interpreters engage visitors in conversation and with on-going actions and work life typical of the 18th century. Presentations are not lecture-style: audience participation is encouraged.
Some of the life skills and demonstrations planned each of the three days include: the importance of trade, animal care, spinning and weaving, music, salt making, edible native plants, and medicinal native plants as early healthcare, finger weaving, blacksmithing, candle making, lye soap making, hunting skills, tomahawk throwing, plant dyes, toys and games, wood working, hide tanning, Indian pictographs, women’s and men’s roles, and frontier cooking and foods. Demonstrations are based on the availability of individual interpreters.
It’s been 256 years since Ingles made her trek through the Kanawha Valley and New River area, and her remarkable story is woven throughout each day of the primitive encampment as well as current rural Appalachian culture. For information, call 304-528-5794 or visit
www.beechforksp.com.
The Legacy of Mary Ingles – 18TH Century Living History Education Encampment Schedule
Friday, 9/16/2011 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SCHOOL DAY
Schools field trips welcome. Upon registration, students and classes receive a “Welcome to the 18th Century” packet and are then dispatched to presentations and encampments. Contact 304-528-5794 to register class trips. Public and home schooled students welcomed.
School Day includes Cricket and 18th century games
• 18th Century Cricket will be instructed by Tom Melville on Friday only
• 18th Century games will be led by Sarah Dyson
Living History Re-enactors and Interpreters for The Legacy of Mary Ingles
• First person presentations of actual historical persons and other 18th century lifestyles are presented continuously throughout the weekend.
6 – 8 p.m. – 18th Century Dance mentored by John Wysocki, Bushnell Bottles
Beginners and public welcome.
Saturday, 9/17/2011 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Living History Encampment
9:15 a.m. Young Mary Ingles tells of her hopes for a new life on the Virginia Frontier
10:15 a.m. Learn about Nature from the 18th Century naturalist
11:15 a.m. Perils of pioneer life in early Eastern Kentucky by Katy Eulin
1:15 p.m. Mature Mary Ingles reflects on her life before, during and after Shawnee Indian captivity
2 p.m. Celebrate Revolutionary War scout Hezekiah Adkins
Dedication ceremony at the Park Pavilion by The Wayne County Genealogical and Historical Society
3 – 4 p.m. Tour the camp and interact with Living Historians
Sunday, 9/18/2011 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Living History Encampment
10:15 a.m. Young Mary Ingles tells of her hopes for a new life on the Virginia Frontier
11:15 a.m. Learn about Nature for the 18th Century Naturalist
12:15 p.m. Perils of life in early Eastern Kentucky by Katy Eulin
1:15 p.m. Mature Mary Ingles reflects on her life before, during and after Shawnee Indian captivity
2 p.m. Tour the camp and interact with Living Historians
3 p.m. Camp closes to the Public
About 18th century Cricket scheduled September 16
"PLAY BALL" 18th Century Style. What sports did Americans play during the time Mary Ingles lived, a time when there was no football, basketball or even baseball? It was cricket. One of the most popular sports with Americans was the venerable old English game of cricket, which was being played in the United States as early as 1709.
Students and teachers at this year's Mary Ingles school day on Sept.16 will get an opportunity to experience this sporting tradition by actually playing some the short, informal, 18th century cricket games. American cricket player and historian Tom Melville will be on site and teaching throughout the day. The games are open to everyone. Absolutely no experience required! Discover what "play ball" meant to Americans in the 18th century. Tom Melville is from the Milwaukee area and demonstrates period correct cricket.
Living History Re-enactors and Interpreters for The Legacy of Mary Ingles
• Mary Ingles – Kali Mattingly and Amy Fairchild
• Frontier Domestics & Child Care – Sue Little & Amy Hall
• Indian Prisoners & Their Fates - Scalping, adoption, leg stock and prisoner collars - Doug Wood
• Native Medicines, Early healthcare – Dianne Anestis
• Hide Tanning – Scott Fairchild
• 18th C Naturalist – Mike Little
• Log Home Construction – Chris Martin
• 18thC Games – Sarah Dyson
• Native Plant Foods – Brian Mattingly
• Indian Pictoraphs – Jeremy Kennedy
• 18thC Chickens – Denise Schiebly, Hillary & Coy Ainsley,
• Use of firearms in the 18th century – Chad Hall
• Nancy Mayes and other 18th Century presenters.
Contact Information
Matt Yeager, Park Superintendent, Beech Fork State Park
304-528-5794
beechforksp@wv.gov