Heritage Center highlights military
The American West Heritage Center in Wellsville will be featuring its annual Military Week, July 5, 6 and 7. Programs associated with this special week are canon and Gatling gun demonstrations at 12:30 and 3 pm each day. Present will be the Fife and Drum Corps from Fort Douglas, antique weapon expert Ray Howser, other nineteenth century military re-enactors, and a WWI military uniform exhibit. Veterans and servicemen have free admission to this event.
“These three days give us the chance to honor our military,” indicated David Sidwell, Program Director, “Folks love to see the old military uniforms, and the Gatling gun is always a favorite with the crowds.” In addition to their normal venues of Mountain Men, Native Americans, Pioneers and 1917 Farmers, the Heritage Center has always found ways to feature old time military matters each year, too. “The military played a great role in defending our nation 150 years ago,” Sidwell asserted, “and they still continue to work hard and sacrifice much for us. They certainly deserve some exploration in terms of history, too.”
The three-day event also features “Dinner With the General,” a fancy dinner on Friday July 6 at 6 pm that features an authentic Victorian menu and entertainment by the Rendezvous Creek Players, the Heritage Center’s very own performance troupe. They will be performing “Dr. Quackenbush and his Famous Cures,” and “Wild West Shakespeare: Hamlet.” Reservations are required for the dinner. Historic clothing is optional. “The dinner is our chance to explore the more high class areas of the past,” said Lorraine Bowen, Program Coordinator at the Heritage Center, “Most of the settlers of the West came from more humble circumstances, so it’s fun to see how the wealthier folks lived and ate.”
The annual Military Ball will take place after the dinner. It is free to the public. The music will be provided by Sassafras folk string band. Once again, historic clothing is optional.
For more information about Military Week, Dinner With the General or any other aspects of the events on July 5, 6 and 7, contact the Heritage Center at (435) 245-6050 or visit their website: www.awhc.org .