Come in on Tuesday afternoons for a time to explore the mysteries of the world through science! In this weekly program, we will investigate a different STEM-related topic each week. Our theme for this week’s club is Mini LED lightsabers! For ages 6-11. More information about Samuels Library and the programs and services available can be found at or by calling (540) 635-3153. These are the events being presented by the Youth Services Department at Samuels Public Library during the month of May 2022. Jan Long and Elizabeth Cagle dressed in colonial attire, adding to the atmosphere with Jim Heflin, (retired archivist) and SAR compatriot adding insight and information about the history of the county. In addition, French and Indian War Foundation members Dale Corey, Eric Robinson and Marc Robinson provided demonstrations and incite into the French and Indian War era on the Virginia Frontier. Participating for the SAR were Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Allan Phillips, Nathan Poe, Will Reynolds, Eric Robinson and Marc Robinson. At the end of the day, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter provided a musket salute, firing three rounds in honor of all patriots. He gave several presentations on the different kinds of equipment that he made.Īll of the buildings were open with demonstrations and presentations at all locations. Jay Hatfield, worked hard in the blacksmith shop forging and shaping metal. A small blacksmith’s shop has been built as a recreation of the time. The Balthis family were successful blacksmiths and in mid-19th century, had additions built on the original house. The outdoor kitchen, from left to right: Jan Long, Waltraud Hornick and Vernee Peterson.įront Royal was a prosperous center of wagon manufacturing, serving the westward expansion of the US. Also on the property are the outdoor kitchen, playhouse, general store, smoke house, Ivy Lodge, Belle Boyd Cottage and WHS Archives. The original section is three bay and the house was expanded to its present size in the mid-19th century. The house has many architectural elements salvaged from other houses of the same era that were demolished, and includes appointments of furnishings of the period. The house is a rare surviving example of a two-story wood frame Federal-style townhouse. There were several presentations given by the members of both groups on the Balthis House, colonial equipment, blacksmithing, cooking demonstrations, muskets and safe firing procedures. Kettles were suspended over the fire from a metal swinging arm.
Game, beef and pork were often cooked on a spit over the open fire. The same glowing coals were then spread evenly onto the pot lids. These pots were placed on the hearth floor on top of a bed of hot coals. Dutch ovens with a grooved lid were the main cooking vessel. The hearth was level with the floor to allow for cooking ease. An outdoor kitchen, kept the heat, the smoky smells and the risk of fire out of the main house. At this time, cooking was done exclusively on wood-burning stoves and fireplace hearths, both of which radiated intense heat. They used the same techniques as the colonists in the backcountry of the Virginia Frontier. Melanie Gregory of WHS coordinated the events throughout the day and Waltraud Hornick and Vernee Peterson of the WHS prepared a meal of pork stew and corn fritters on the fireplace in the outdoor kitchen. (All photos courtesy of Michelle Phillips) Participants of the event, from left to right: Dale Corey, Will Reynolds, Jay Hatfield, Nathan Poe, Anne Simmons, Marc Robinson, Eric Robinson, Allan Phillips, Jan Long, Waltraud Hornick and Vernee Peterson.