History celebrated at Greenock Log House Days
By Christine Haines
chaines@yourmvi.com
In a year when so much has gone wrong, Saturday was perfect for the Elizabeth Township Historical Society’s Greenock Log House Days.
The weather was warm and dry, the crowd was steady and the history was nonstop.
“This is the 10th year for the log house restorations and the fifth year for the Log House Days,” said Debbie Popp Gilbert, vice president of the historical society. “It’s the best one yet, with 46 vendors and folks from the Oliver Miller Homestead and the 8th Pennsylvania and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.”
Gilbert said the historical society had to cancel several fundraising activities earlier this year because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, so being able to hold the outdoor festival was more important this year.
“This festival this year is financially responsible for us to be able to continue next year,” Gilbert said. “We lost three major fundraisers. We still have a mortgage on the house, and we have to pay sewage every month.”
The historic re-enactors shared 18th century military and civilian life with visitors, and free tours were offered of the log house, which dates back to around 1790.
Members of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line re-enacting unit set up camp near the house. The 8th Regiment was organized right after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“We’re trying to recruit new members. We get little kids to sign their name,” said Mark Pearson, a member of the unit. “Once they make their mark, we tell them they’re in the Continental Army. We were organized to defend the western front against the Indians.”
The unit was called up by George Washington to fight against the British during the Revolutionary War from 1776-81.
Pearson showed off some common items a soldier may have carried: a ration of hard bread, dried peas, payment in Continental currency and even a deck of cards.
The cards, Pearson said, provided more than just entertainment. They also demonstrate one of the things that led to the revolution.
“Cards fell under the Stamp Act. The king put a tax on anything made of paper, and cards were made of paper,” Pearson said.
Another member of the re-enacting unit, Cathy Cormack, showed elements of the civilian side, demonstrating her needlework as she embroidered an 18th century wallet. Cormack said she had sewn all of her clothing. Learning to make 18th century garments was part of her introduction to colonial re-enacting years ago.
“We had four children and (my husband) wanted to get into this hobby,” Cormack said. “There was no way we could afford to outfit them. I’ve sewn and quilted all my life, so I made all their clothes.”
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