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Always the weekend
after Labor Day.

Applications to
Participate in 2008

If you're part of the community and would like to get involved, visit the Volunteers page for some suggested ways you can participate. 

Craft & Art Vendors
(download both pages)
pdf 1    pdf2

Food Vendors     pdf

29th Hampshire Heritage Days
September 5-7, 2008

Last year's Hampshire Heritage Days were an enormous success and 2008's event promises even more.  Like the living history that is at the core of Hampshire Heritage Days, this is a living, evolving website with frequent updates.  Please come back often to see what has changed!

Next Heritage Days Committee meeting Wednesday, June 11, 6:30PM at The Bottling Works, 426 E. Main St. in Romney. All are welcome. Volunteers wanted! Your community needs YOUR help--the more the better. Call coordinator Debi Wine for more information at 540-333-5950.

2007 Knight of Olde Hampshire —
Reva Mae Shingleton Smith

2007 Knight of Olde Hampshire Finalists
Five distinguished citizens who have gone above and beyond in their dedicated service to the community were honored at Wednesday night's dinner—Patty Anderson, Ed Buckbee (not pictured), Kenneth Seldon, Loudoun Thompson, and Reva Smith, shown with Delegate Ruth Rowan.

Living History: Visitors to Hampshire Heritage Days 2007 met Stonewall Jackson and his wife, Anna, and horse, Little Sorrel, on the grounds of Liberty Hall, the home on Main Street that served as Jackson's headquarters while he was in Romney. Abraham Lincoln was represented with recitation of The Gettysburg Address on the Courthouse steps.  "Mad" Ann Bailey, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Belle Boyd are other historical characters who were in town for folks to meet and learn about.
Stonewall Jackson portrayer         Living history on the lawn of Jackson's HQ in Romney. 
Those who have ever wondered what the life of a farmer was really like in the t1750s ,learned that and moreat Scott Simmons' living history presentation, including what life was like with no electricity, radio, television, and (oh horrors) no internet, . Travel was by horseback and farm families were isolated in harsh winter months. Almost everything you ate came from your own land, and almost everything you wore was made at home. 
     With Scott as Master of Ceremonies, various players presented different characters from the past, ranging from the 1750s until the 1950s, including the life and times of modest income farmer on his way to meet the Governor, the household of a large planter, as well as a lawyer and banker.  Some showed artifacts from earlier times, others portrayed family members, or described the history of an industry or profession

Two Interpretations of Confederate Spy, Belle Boyd

Heritage Days 2007 featured interpretations by two different talented interpreters of Belle Boyd, charming Confederate spy, who killed a Union soldier when she was 17 and spent the rest of the war wearing disguises and passing coded messages.
Belle Boyd as a young girl
      Master Windsor Chair-maker Charles Boland in one of his chairs in front of Mt. Vernon 
(Left) Belle Boyd (Right) Master Windsor Chairmaker in one of his chairs in front of Mt. Vernon that he will demonstrate making at The Bottling Works as part of Colonial Hampshire.

Colonial  Hampshire and French & Indian War Heritage exhibits and activities were presented in Romney by the Fort Edwards Foundation at The Bottling Works. Period arisans demonstrated lace making, rug braiding, basketweaving, Windsor chair making and more. A colonial surveyor was on hand, a Conestoga wagon was displayed and the WV Farm Museum offered vintage articles to explore.
Braided rug making   flintknapper  
The popular flintknapper, Mike Frank, was among those demonstrating heritage skills.

Jackson's Mill's docents will be on hand.  History Hitting the Road's conestoga wagon
A variety of different Children's Activities were offered on the grounds of the WV Schools for the Deaf & Blind, including Jackson's Mill's History Hitting The Road with docents and many hands-on activities. The Potomac Center offered many games and crafts for kids as well.

Nature events

One option is to ride the rails on the
Potomac Eagle Scenic Rail Excursion for a view of the encampment and historic sites not otherwise accessible. In addition to a regular daytime runs at 11:30 Saturday and 1PM Sunday, a special Murder Mystery Dinner Train will be offered Saturday, Sept. 6 departing at 6:30PM (requires reservations)Potomac Eagle
Hampshire County's Veterans will be honored in the parade with a musical tribute by Maria Rose and Danny Elswick on the FNB Romney float.
Maria Rose and Danny Elswick
Artisans Along Main Street demonstrated heritage crafts such as rug hooking, basket-making and stained-glass artisanry in various locations along Main Street and numerous craft booths were along High St., Main St., and in the parking lot across from the Courthouse.

Car Show 05
An extensive display of vintage and custom vehicles was at the Bank of Romney Community center lot (which housed the 13th Annual Fall Fine Art & Photography Show) on Saturday and a vintage and custom motorcycle show was there Sunday. A display of vintage Indian motorcycles and old railroad cars was again open at South Branch Guns & Pawn west of Romney. 


Hampshire Heritage Days Committee
Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 426 E. Main St., Romney, WV 26757
304-822-7477 • www.hampshireheritagedays.info

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