Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Back to the Days of Kosciuszko will hold its 16th annual event on the west side of the Kosciusko County fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday.
Reenactors portray time periods before and after the American Revolutionary War, as part of the living history event.
The event honors the work of patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746 to 1817), who offered his services to the colonists fighting British rule. Kosciusko County and Warsaw are named in honor of the Polish engineer.
Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults and for children 7 years old and older. Children 6 years old and younger attend free.
Opening ceremonies and morning colors are presented at 9 a.m. both days.
More than 600 fourth-grade students will converge on Red Brush Village Friday. Red Brush was Warsaw's original name. Warsaw school children will not attend because of ISTEP testing this week.
Buildings on the site include a log cabin, originally built in 1850, and a blacksmith's shop.
The two-story cabin now has new front steps, a brick walk and a handicapped-accessible ramp, projects of Eagle Scout candidates Brian Gambill and Nick Stiles of Troop 730.
Long range plans include adding a barn as early as this year, and, eventually, a general store, crafts building, school house and outdoor kitchen.
According to BTDK organizer Barb Smelser, the children will take part in a flag-raising ceremony and learn about the U.S. flag throughout the nation's early history.
American Legion Post 49 members will teach the children how to fold a flag. They also plan a flag-burning ceremony.
The formal education continues throughout the weekend when the log cabin transforms into a "blab" schoolhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. When children recited the ABC's and teaching poems were practiced aloud, it sounded like "blabbing." A schoolmarm will be in charge.
Children can participate in many activities Saturday and Sunday with sewing, candle dipping, military drills with wooden guns, drop spindle spinning, weaving and plenty of colonial-era toys and games.
There is a lot of informal education available, too. Reenactors research their "characters" and clothing. Women may learn skills such as spinning wool or quiltmaking as part of their persona. Men may learn to fire muskets or sharpen axes. They all welcome questions about their activities.
Farrier Matt Gillis will demonstrate early blacksmithing skills in the Lake City Forge.
Frontiersman Dan Nelson and his group will be on hand, as well as a full-blooded blackfoot Indian who will demonstrate flintknapping.
Punch and Judy puppets manipulated by the Royal Jamison Players will perform throughout the day. Entertainment also includes songs by dulcimer player Karri Danner.
Mary, Queen of Scots, is expected to make an appearance.
A number of "settlers" and "blanket traders" will offer food and wares throughout the weekend.
Food vendors include the Pierceton Lions Club, Oswego Lions Club, a Venture Scouting Troop and Troop 715.
Sunday morning opens with roll call, inspection of arms and a special flag presentation. A church service is at 9:30 a.m.
Military confrontations and demonstrations will be from 2 to 4 p.m. both days.
Six years ago, deLaBalme Military Forces became the host unit for Back to the Days of Kosciuszko. A non-profit educational organization, the group represents and portrays a colonial militia unit that fought in the Midwest.
Visitors can participate in the living history demonstrations, which covers the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Back to the Days of Kosciuszko organizers include Jim and Barb Smelser, Charlotte Siegfried, Darline Wallace, Jim Ellison, Karen Ellison, Dick Goshert, Katy Goshert, Betty Carrie, Roy Bradbury, Jean Bradbury and Matt and Laura Gillis.
On the Net: www.backtothedays.com
