Victorian weekend will highlight history
MERCER, PA.
The Mercer County Historical Society has planned several special events at its headquarters for Mercer’s Victorian Weekend, July 16-18.
During the Mercer Community Band concert Friday, the Western Pa. Civil War Re-enactors Society will set up its encampment in the back yard at MCHS. The society welcomes visitors at any time during the weekend to visit and learn what life was like in a Civil War Camp.
The schedule follows:
Doll Display & Tea, Artists’ Reception, Civil War encampment, used book sale, Underground Railroad walking tours, Civil War encampment: all weekend.
Museum open: Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, noon-3 p.m.
Used book sale: Saturday, 9-2, and Sunday, noon-2 p.m.
Doll display: all weekend
Artists reception: Saturday, noon.
Civil War rededication ceremony for Robert S. Reed: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Dolls’ Tea Party: Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.
Underground Railroad Walking Tour: Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
All museum displays and galleries will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., except while the Grand Victorian Parade passes the headquarters.
At noon Saturday, an Artists Reception for Steve Van Woert of Mercer and Ben Beck of Greenville will take place on the lower level of MCHS. Both artists will sign their works, and light refreshments will be served.
At 1 p.m., the re-enactors society, in conjunction with MCHS, will conduct an authentic Grand Army of the Republic rededication ceremony at Citizens Cemetery for Pvt. Robert S. Reed. Reed, a Mercer native, was a veteran of the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Colored) during the Civil War, and later returned to Mercer and became a member of the local GAR post.
The public will meet at the Historical Society prior to the ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
At 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday there will be a Dolls’ Tea Party for girls ages 6-10 and their dolls. There is no charge, but reservations are necessary. Call the office at 724-662-3490 or e-mail info@mchspa.org.
At 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, the Underground Railroad walking tour will return. Executive Director Bill Philson will lead the tour, describing local buildings, the Underground Railroad and various black communities in Mercer County, as well as the Civil War. The walk, which lasts more than two hours, will include both Mercer cemeteries. Wear walking shoes and meet at the front door of the society before 3 p.m.
The Book Committee will have a used book sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.