|
Aug. 5, 2016
Contact: Troy Henderson, 906-475-7857
Fayette Historic Townsite Heritage Day Aug. 13 features archaeology presentation, 19th-century music, children’s activities, games
 Take a step back in time at Fayette Historic Townsite’s annual Heritage Day Saturday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 19th-century-themed event celebrating Fayette’s rich heritage will feature blacksmith demonstrations, music, games and sporting activities.
"Heritage Day offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy authentic 19th-century music, see a blacksmith operating a real forge, and participate in activities that children enjoyed more than 100 years ago – all against the backdrop of the historic townsite and its beautiful natural setting,” said Fayette site historian Troy Henderson.
Special guests at the event will include Michael Deren, who will immerse visitors in music and history as an 1870s iron worker, as well as blacksmith George Potvin and blacksmith/bladesmith Dan Choszczyk, who will demonstrate their skilled trades. Also featured are the “Dodworth Duo Strolling Serenaders,” who will provide a concert at 11:30 a.m. and performances at various locations across the townsite in the afternoon.
Retired State Archaeologist John Halsey, who conducted numerous archaeological investigations at Fayette over the course of his career, also will be on-site to present a program on his research and fieldwork at Fayette.
Children's games and activities will include three-legged and sack races, lawn croquet, and reproduction toys from the era. Anyone 13 years old and older is invited to play a game of old-time baseball with the Fayette team. This baseball game will follow 19th-century rules, meaning no baseball gloves will be used, and a ball caught on the first bounce is an out.
Heritage Day visitors also can enjoy a food tent sponsored by the Big Bay de Noc High School Booster Club and a bake sale.
Fayette Historic Townsite features one of the nation's premier examples of a 19th-century industrial community and company town. In operation from 1867 to 1891, its furnaces produced more than 229,000 tons of pig iron, becoming the second-largest producer of charcoal iron in Michigan. Today, 20 buildings are preserved, including the furnace complex, hotel, town hall, company office and several residences. Eleven buildings contain exhibits and are open to the public, including a modern visitor center with a scale model of the town site as it looked in the 1880s.
Fayette Historic Townsite is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan History Center. It is located 17 miles south of U.S. 2 on Highway 183 in Fayette Historic State Park. A Recreation Passport is required for park entry. Townsite buildings are open daily through Oct. 19. For more information call 906-644-2603 or visit michigan.gov/fayettetownsite.
The Michigan History Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its museum and archival programs help people discover, enjoy and find inspiration in their heritage. It includes the Michigan History Museum, 10 regional museums, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at michigan.gov/michiganhistory.
/Editors’ note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.
Fayette Historic Townsite’s Heritage Day Saturday, Aug. 13, will offer a variety of musical entertainment, historical demonstrations, 19th-century reproduction toys and children’s activities such as sack races./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
|
