FestiFall Will Feature Sneak Preview of new Ken Burns Documentary

September 15th, 2009

FestiFall in Point Marion will highlight the contributions of Albert Gallatin and other citizens to the democratic ideals of our republic. Throughout the weekend, the National Park Service will present sneak peeks of the new Ken Burns documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” in a special tent set up on the grounds. The 45 minute screenings will be shown at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on both days of the festival, Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27.

“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” introduces men and women who had the passion and vision to create our national parks in the 19th century. This exiting new film airs on public television on September 27 and continues for six consecutive nights. The series explores the stories of people, from every conceivable background, that were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they love. A companion video, featuring the five National Parks in western Pennsylvania, and highlighting the involvement of area citizens in creating these parks, will also be screened at FestiFall.

FestiFall is held at Friendship Hill National Historic Site, the home of Albert Gallatin. While Gallatin predated the National Park Service idea and is best known for his years of service as Secretary of the Treasury, his many contributions to his adopted nation exemplify the same ideals of democracy. Gallatin founded the American Ethnological Society in 1842 as a vehicle to help preserve Indian languages and culture that were rapidly disappearing. He was also a founder of New York University. The annual event is designed to celebrate his role in helping preserve our early democracy. Be sure to view the short video presentation of Gallatin’s impact on our nation shown in the Visitor Center inside the Gallatin House.

The event includes demonstrations of the eighteenth century home skills and crafts and many of these products, including popular historic foods, will be available for visitors.

“The market fair this year features more historic craft demonstrators. Quilters, coopers, pewter casters, soap makers, leather workers, seamstress, furniture maker, rug braiders, potters and many more will showcase their talents,” said Toni L’Hommedieu, President of the Friendship Hill Association, the sponsor of the event. New Geneva Pottery will attend the event for the first time. Period music is also a part of the celebration every year.

Re-enactors portraying late 18th century military life will also be on hand. At 12:30, 2:30 and 4:00 each day, rangers will present “Albert Gallatin: Citizen Soldier of the Revolution.” The program will detail Gallatin’s role in the War of Independence and demonstrate the material culture of the American Revolutionary army. A demonstration of historic firearms will follow the talk. Gallatin’s involvement in the revolution, though brief, was an early chapter of Gallatin’s fifty years of public service.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/frhi

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.