Elaine Brenchley, The First State Heritage Park at Dover, 302-739-9194 (elaine.brenchley@state.de.us), or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us
First State Heritage Park brings
18th-Century Market Fair to Dover Green
DOVER (Oct. 27, 2011) – The First State Heritage Park staff invites the public to leave the 21st century behind on Saturday, Nov. 5, when the 18th-Century Market Fair returns to The Green in Dover from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Building on last year’s successful debut of Market Fair, this year’s event will have twice the features and entertainment, bringing in more of the living history characters and 18th-century-style entertainment and demonstrations that proved so popular with visitors last year. Admission to Market Fair is free, although food and goods will be offered for sale.
Everything comes with an 18th-century twist to recreate some of the sights and sounds of the autumn market fairs held in Dover in the mid-1700s. Travelling merchants and local tradespeople exchanged goods, while entertainments of all sorts brought excitement to The Green. The First State Heritage Park’s Market Fair takes visitors back to this earlier time.
Those who missed the French Lacemaker last year will be happy to hear that he returns to Market Fair this year. History takes a humorous turn during a visit with Monsieur LeFarceur de Villeverte, who portrays a lace merchant forced to flee the 1789 French Revolution. This “Arrogant Frenchman” delighted audiences at last year’s Market Fair with his combination of history and humor. He treated visitors like citizens of the new American nation, trying to recruit them as lacemakers to help support his extravagant lifestyle.
New this year is the Entertainment Tent, with a rotating series of 18th-century-style performances by visitors from the past. One such visitor is Dr. Balthasar with his Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show. During his comical interactive performance, Dr. Balthasar offers audiences a "magical miracle medicine that cures everything from a common cold to death of two weeks' standing."
Ailments and afflictions such as consumption, baldness, the "summer complaint," and extreme nervousness were just a few of the maladies that magical potions hawked by travelling medicine men would supposedly cure.
Also performing is Molly Pitcher, who reminisces about her life as a camp follower during the Revolution, telling tales of firing a cannon in the heart of battle while persuading audience members to play the role of the cannon. The military theme continues when The Swordmasters present a rousing presentation of swordsmanship during the American colonial period, giving volunteers the chance to learn to basics of the “Noble Art.”
New this year will be the aroma of fresh-baked fare filling the air when Blue Hen Bakers, Regina and Michael Albert of Wilmington, bring their 1,600 pound, 18th-century campaign-style wood-fired oven to The Green to offer mouthwatering period-style fare and share traditional baking methods. They will be selling their popular sausage rolls and a variety of breads and small cakes.
Just as animals were brought to market fairs in the 1700s, demonstrators from Wilmington’s Greenbank Mill & Philips Farm will bring several of the two breeds of heritage sheep (Leicester and Delaine Merinos) raised at their site. They will also demonstrate historic spinning and weaving techniques and discuss textile production in early America. Yarns that were spun from their heritage flock and dyed with historically-accurate natural dyes will be available for purchase.
Traditional trades and crafts are also highlighted. Mike Radebach will demonstrate the art of blacksmithing, drawing on his many years of experience at Fort Delaware, the Delaware Agricultural Museum and other venues. Members of the Thistledown Fiber Guild and the Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic will be on hand to demonstrate their art and crafts and sell their wares. Traditional painted floor cloths will be demonstrated and sold by Maria Bessette, who will also sell her handmade, all-natural soaps.
The living history characters for which the Heritage Park is known will also be making appearances. Visitors can talk with Elizabeth Battell, mistress of the Golden Fleece Tavern, Revolutionary war hero and spy Allen McLane, and cantankerous Dr. James Tilton about life in 18th-century Dover. Or they can listen to a storyteller, have their silhouettes cut or their portraits painted, check in on an 18th-century style distress sale known as a “vendue,” and learn about 18th-century cosmetics at the Sign of Ageless Artifice.
The Century Club will open its doors for performances by David and Ginger Hildebrand, who will highlight both the formal and less-refined aspects of music associated with early America and an 18th-century fair, playing the violin, Baroque guitar, English guitar, hammered dulcimer, spinet (harpsichord) and English flute.
The Century Club will also be offering desserts and drinks for sale. Dover’s English Country Dancers will perform at The Old State House, and roving musicians Kelly and Jan Crumpley will add to the period entertainment.
Children’s activities round out the day. This free event is fun for all ages and will be held, rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, activities will be moved to indoor or tented locations around The Green.
The latest information is available at www.destateparks.com/heritagepark or
302-739-9194.
The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies, under the leadership of Delaware State Parks, working in collaboration with local government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.
Vol. 41, No. 417
