The Old Stone Fort in Schoharie will celebrate all eras of the past at its History Fair this Saturday and Sunday.
Exhibits, programs and demonstrations will run 10am-5pm on Saturday and noon-5pm on Sunday.
The History Fair began alternating with Stone Fort Days––a Revolutionary War demo––about 12 years ago as a way to more deeply examine other aspects of history.
“We’re known for our military re-enactments,” said Old Stone Fort Museum Director Carle Kopecky.
“But history takes many forms––collecting, restoration, research, genealogy. The purpose here is to celebrate people who are enthusiastic about history.”
More subtly, the Fair is also a recruiting event to encourage more people to visit and volunteer at the Old Stone Fort.
“We’re trying to cultivate a new group of supporters,” Mr. Kopecky said.
At the Fair, visitors can enjoy a historic timeline with military and civilian re-enactors interpreting time periods from pre-colonial days through the 20th Century.
Highlights include:
•The Golden Fleece Spinners will demonstrate textile arts.
•A selection of historical films will be shown in the Badgley Annex. Included will be the first reel of the first film show at the Schoharie free Street Movies in 1917.
•Also in the Annex, Victrola DJ Jill Sutton will play old-time tunes on vintage phonographs.
•Music will include early jazz by the Nisky Dixie Cats, 1800s tunes by banjoist Tom Smith on Saturday and folk songs by the Lost Radio Rounders on Sunday.
•Historian Cliff Mealy will portray Vince Taylor, who served with Medal of Honor winner Henry Johnson in the African-American 139th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, in World War I.
•J.D. Winslow will demonstrate Roman horseback riding, vaulting and stunts.
•Military vehicles will roar around the field, and visitors can get a ride in a tank.
•Antique cars, trucks and snowmobiles will also be on the grounds.
•Horse-drawn wagon rides from the Fort to the Lily Park will be available on Sunday.
•Green Wolf Brewery will give a beer-making demonstration and offer samples of its 1700s-style beer, “Fort Defyance.”
There is an admission charge. Parking is available on the grounds.