Time Traveling

I had no real plans for this past weekend.  I assumed Saturday would be a “same old” sort of day, with not much of anything going on. I had no way of knowing that within a few hours my old Chevy would become a time machine, transporting me  to the 18^th century, then to the 1860’s, on to 1918, to 1944, to 1965, and then back to the present.

My cell phone rang, interrupting my lazy early Saturday morning reverie.  On the line was my daughter Katt and son-in-law Jason, inviting me to come to Dillsburg, York County. Dillsburg was having its annual Picklefest and Publick Tyme. They suggested I should come enjoy the Fest and then have dinner with them at their nearby home. They explained that there would be reenactments in the vicinity of the historic Dill’s Tavern.

I hopped into my old time-machine and made the thirty-mile journey. The only downer in the entire experience was the absolute refusal of my phone’s camera to function. It’s really too bad, as I would love to have pictures of the event to show to you.

I entered the first room of the tavern and met a friendly lady, April C. Thomas, who makes authentic historic reproduction clothing from the 18^th century.  She had on display what every properly dressed woman would wear in the days of the American Revolution. She does beautiful work and you can find her business represented on FashionsRevisited.com

In the same room was a display of colonial games. Did you know that Farkle was originally a very popular game played in colonial taverns?

As I entered the second room, I was greeted warmly by a tall gallant gentleman wearing a powdered wig and colonial garb.  He engaged me in conversation, telling me of  his experiences growing up in Virginia, of his fighting the French as a militia officer, of  being chosen commander-and –chief of the Continental Army during the Revolution, and finally of becoming our first President. Yes George Washington held my attention in a most gracious and charming way.

George Washington is portrayed By Mr. Jeff  Greenawalt, a very talented actor and resident of Mechanicsburg, PA. He  has a page on Facebook called  First In Our Hearts.  I understand Jeff also performs Early American music on lute, vihuela, and guitar.

It was then time to explore the upstairs rooms of the tavern, where I found gentlemen dressed in uniforms of our armies during wartime. Civil War uniforms and gear were displayed. There was also a young man in an actual World War One Army uniform with a display of army gear used at that time.

World War Two was also represented by a man wearing the uniform of the 10^th Mountain Division, with his gear.   There was even two young men wearing the uniforms of the German Army, with German army gear on display.

The Korean and Vietnam eras were also  represented. Everyone present in uniform was happy to answer every and all questions, and they were very knowledgeable

I had a wonderful time, and I’m looking forward to next year’s event.  The Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society was responsible for this wonderful event, and it was a job very well done..