If it is late June, it must be time for Patriot Days. When the event was first envisioned five years ago, it was to showcase three periods in York history: Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War II. The event, however, emerged as a Civil War only event.
While this year's Fifth Annual Patriot Days is primarily focused on the Civil War, Colonial taverns and Colonial living history will also join the Victorian and Civil War activities.
Tonight a Civil War Roundtable will be held at the York County Heritage Trust's Historical Society Museum at 250 East Market Street. The event begins at 7 p.m., and I'm told that the discussions of the 30+ people who attend monthly can be quite lively. One of tonight's topics sure promises some divergent opinions: Did York surrender?
Tomorrow night, three old favorites return: Victorian / Civil War Celebrity Tea, "The Confederate Occupation of York: A Drama," and Civil War walking tours of York. The tea and dance begins at 6:00 p.m., and will include light refreshments, performance of the Victorian Dance Ensemble, and music by the Susquehanna Travelers. The Drama follows the tea, and includes such characters as General Jubal Early, General John Gordon, General "Extra Billy" Smith, Col. Clement Evans, Arthur B. Farquhar, Cassandra Small, and Mary Fisher. Candlelight tours begin around 7:45. All Thursday activities will be at the Historical Society Museum, 250 East Market Street.
Friday evening the focus is on taverns and beer. York tavern history walking tours begin at 5:30 p.m., with the annual Micro Brew Fest at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum, West Princess Street, beginning at 7 p.m.
Saturday is a day of living history. Colonial living history at the Colonial Complex on West Market Street will include a Conestoga wagon, tours of the Gates House, Plough Tavern, and Colonial Court House, reenactment of the infamous Reverend Batwell trial, firing demonstrations, Colonial dances and games, cooking, and more. Civil War and Victorian living history can be found at the Bonham House and Martin Library's "Brownstone" on East Market Street. The 38th Georgian, 87th Pennsylvania, General Gordon's headquarters, and Civil War medicine demonstration will be at the Bonham House yard, and the house will be open for tours. Entertainment will be provided by the Barnstormers, R/C Cloggers, and Matthew Dodd's Songs of the Civil War. A Victorian classroom will be set up at the Brownstown across the street. And performances, living history, and a family scavenger hunt will be presented at the Historical Society Museum at 250 East Market Street.
It's a busy week with a lot to see. Some events are free, and some have a cost, with proceeds benefiting the York County Heritage Trust. Visit www.yorkheritage.org for more information, and call the Heritage Trust at 717-848-1587 for more information or to purchase tickets for the Victorian Tea, walking tours, or Micro Brew Fest.
