Lincoln and Emancipation & Massachusetts Civil War Soldiers presented July 4th at Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day

James Smethurst

Lincoln and Emancipation & Massachusetts Civil War Soldiers presented July 4^th at Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day

 
James Smethurst, Professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be a featured speaker at the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4 where he will focus on freed Blacks during the Civil War and their admiration and love for Abraham Lincoln as well as Black soldiers who served.  Professor Smethurst is the author of The New Red Negro: The Literary Left and African American Poetry, 1930-1946 (1999), The Black Arts Movement: Literary Nationalism in the 1960s and 1970s (2005), winner of the Organization of American Historians’ James A. Rawley Prize, and The African American Roots of Modernism: From Reconstruction to the Harlem Renaissance (2011). He is also the co-editor of Left of the Color Line: Race, Radicalism and Twentieth-Century Literature of the United States (2003) and Radicalism in the South Since Reconstruction (2006).

The “remembrances” portion of the day-long Civil War events starts at 2 pm in the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street.  Along with informal presentations and discussions where the public is invited to share stories, letters and diaries of ancestors or former area residents who were part of the American Civil War, additional speakers will include Elizabeth Peirce, curator of the Swift River Valley Historical Society who will speak on soldiers from the lost Quabbin towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott.  Chuck Berube will be on hand as Abraham Lincoln, a role he plays in “Lincoln: The Musical” that will open on Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 pm.  Tim Waite will perform Mark Twain’s “The Campaign That Failed,”and Larry Buell will present Lucius Spooner, a 19^th century farmer from Petersham who lived through the Civil War.  Richard Sheridan, the chairman of the Orange Select Board and Linda Temple of the Orange Historical Society will read letters from Orange residents during the Civil War.  Members of the 15^th Massachusetts Civil War Infantry will also share stories of the people they represent.  Genevieve Fraser, the coordinator of the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day will serve as the master of ceremonies. 

          Additional plans for the day include a Black Powder shoot and discussion on armaments during the Civil War, along with reenactments starting at 9:30 am at the Orange Gun Club, 357 West River Street, to be followed by a Bar-B-Que.  And starting at 2:00 pm, the Orange Historical Society & Museum, 41 North Main Street, Orange, MA (2 doors up from Town Hall) will serve Tea, followed by a dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell” at 5:00 pm.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872.

Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Orange, Massachusetts July 4 - 15, 2012

Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War

Orange, Massachusetts

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance

July 4^th 2012

“Lincoln: The Musical”

By Michael Riccards

July 7 – 8  & 14 - 15

Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest Exhibit

July 4 – 15

Free Admission to all events

“Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products , the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at

Tel. (978) 544-1872 or visit website: quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com 

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance - July 4^th 2012

#1 Orange Gun Club - Oldest charted gun club in Massachusetts

357 West River Street, Orange, MA

9:30    – Black Powder Shoot

11:00  – Antique Fire Arms display and discussion with Terry Whitney

12:30  -  Civil War game stew and chicken bar-b-que - $15

              Call Mark Kovalsick for reservations Tel. 978-467-6076

Music with Ken Levine and friends

15^th Massachusetts Infantry Civil War demonstrations

Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market

#2 Orange Town Hall – Ruth B. Smith Auditorium

6 Prospect Street, Orange, MA

2:00 – 8:30

Civil War Remembrances

          Abe Lincoln, Lucius Spooner - 19^th century Petersham farmer

          Mark Twain’s “The Campaign That Failed” with Tim Waite

Civil War stories, group discussions & readings from Civil War era diaries and letters – all invited to participate

Music with Ken Levine and friends

Quilt Exhibit & Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market

#3 Orange Historical Society & Museum

41 North Main Street, Orange, MA (2 doors up from Town Hall)

2:00 – 4:00 Tea

5:00 – Dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell”

“Lincoln: The Musical”

(Civil War era songs)

By Michael Riccards

Directed by Genevieve Fraser

Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, Orange, MA

Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 & Sunday, July 8 at 2:00

 Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00

July 15^th Quilter reception 6:00 pm at the Orange Historical Society

“Lincoln: The Musical” chronicles the Lincoln family’s entry into Washington DC.  The new president is determined to lead the nation into an era of prosperity as he sings Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More.” But soon, hope turns to despair as the War Between the States commences – “a small skirmish” that quickly leads to a nightmare that engulfs the president, his family, aides, generals, his cabinet and the nation.  Intertwined with the family and political crisis is the drama unfolding at a Washington DC tavern frequented by soldiers, members of Congress and an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth. Following the Emancipation Proclamation and the Cause of the Union’s triumph, Booth plots to take action.

Act 1

Ford Theater

Flashback - Little Pigeon Creek settlement, Indiana

Washington DC Train Station

President’s Office at the White House

Washington Tavern

Battlefield

President’s Office

Intermission

Act 2

Washington Tavern

Willie Lincoln’s bedroom

President’s Office

Living Room at the White House

Washington Tavern

Ford Theater

“LINCOLN: THE MUSICAL” DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Abraham Lincoln                                          Chuck Berube

Mary Todd Lincoln                                      Sally Howe

Willie Lincoln                                                Brian Johnson

Nancy Hanks (Abe’s mother)                       Charlene Deam

John Wilkes Booth                                        Charles Tower

General Winfield Scott                                 Tim Waite

Senator Cotesbury Butterworth                  Jack Arnot

Secretary of State Seward                            Philip Hubbard

John Hay – Lincoln aide                               Noah Dawson

John Nicholay – Lincoln aide                       David Farnum

President James Buchanan                          Barry Robichaud

Issac                                                                Luke Meunier

Rose                                                                Julie Graziano

Barmaid                                                         Joyce Sawyer

Mrs. Laurey                                                   Genevieve Fraser

Ford Theater Manger                                   Robert Mathews

Cast of “My American Cousin”                  Joyce Sawyer

                                                                        Emily Lapinskas

                                                                        Barry Robichaud

Conductor                                                      Andrew Tower

Soldiers                                                           William Johnson

                                                                        Daniel Boucher

Town women                                                 Vicky Graw

                                                                        Doreen Gallien

Inside Out Dance Company

Pianist                                                             Deborah Kent

Costumes                                                        Vicky Graw & Deborah Kent

Technical Director                                        Tim Waite

SPECIAL THANKS

Michael & Barbara Riccards                       Donald “Spin” Ainsworth

Town of Orange                                            Select Board                                      

Miller’s River Café                                       Kris Burns & Jeanie Miller

Bruce’s Browsers                                          Diane Lincoln

Swift River Valley Historical Society           Elizabeth Peirce

Halloween Costume World                          Barbara Hanno & Sally Howe                    

Mahar Regional High School                       Fred Heyes

The Dance Studio                                          Brenda Cromwell Hall

Workers Credit Union                                  Orange Gun Club

North Quabbin Woods                                 Kirby Lecy & Nancy Blackmer

Orange Historical Society                             Linda Temple

North Quabbin Antiques                              Brenda Piro

Paul Robichaud                                             Phil and Ivana Hubbard

Lisa DeWitt                                                    David Belcher

Ingrid Whitten & Ames Trophy                  15^th Massachusetts Civil War Infantry

Orange Cultural Council                              Jim Rich & Mark Kovalsick

Crafters, Farmers and Musicians Invited to Participate in Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4

Ken Levine,  banjo player

Crafters, Farmers and Musicians Invited to Participate in

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4

Sutlers or victualers were civilian merchants who sold provisions – from leather, wooden, cloth, knitted and woven goods, to maple syrup, honey, strawberries, eggs, butter and cheese - during the Civil War to the army in field camp, in quarters or in far flung outposts. In keeping with that tradition, crafters, farmers and musicians are invited to participate in a “Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market” during the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on Wednesday, July 4th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Orange Gun Club and from 2:00 – 8:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium.  The Orange Gun Club, located at 357 West River Street in Orange, was established in 1884 and is the oldest chartered gun club in Massachusetts.  The Orange Town Hall is located at 6, Prospect Street. All events are free and open to the public.

The day’s activities will start at 9:30 am at the Orange Gun Club’s 200 yard rifle range with a live firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot demonstration with Environmental Police Officer Terry Whitney.  Following the live firearms demonstration, at 11:00 am Officer Whiney will display an array of antique fire arms and lead a discussion on military weapons and tactics of the cavalry, infantry and artillery used by both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War.  A game stew and chicken Bar-B-Que will follow at 12:30 pm with live music provided by Ken Levine and friends.  Civil War field lifestyle demonstrations will be provided by the 15^th Massachusetts Civil War Infantry.

Tributes to those who participated in the Civil War, musical presentations and sutlers and victualers who are part of the Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market will be on hand during the Civil War tributes starting at 2:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall.  And two doors up from the Town Hall, at the Orange Historical Society & Museum, 41 North Main Street, a Tea will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and at 5:00 pm a dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell.” 

Individuals wishing to participate in the Civil War tributes, perform Civil War musical tributes, or sell wares as part of the Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market should contact Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com. Tickets for the Civil War Bar-B-Que can be reserved by emailing: Bellas-Dad@hotmail.com, or calling Mark at Tel. 978-467-6076.

 PHOTO CAPTION:  Ken Levine, owner of Frames/Ink in Athol will be performing Civil War banjo tunes during the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4th at the Orange Gun Club in the morning and as part of the Civil War tributes, starting at 2 pm at the Orange Town Hall.

PHOTO CREDIT: Genevieve Fraser

Live Firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot Demonstration Opens Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4

Environmental Police Officer Terry Whitney

Live Firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot Demonstration

Opens Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4

Environmental Police Officer Terry Whitney of Hardwick will open the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on Wednesday, July 4 at 9:30 am at the Orange Gun Club with a live firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot demonstration.  The Orange Gun Club, located at 357 West River Street in Orange, was established in 1884 and is the oldest chartered gun club in Massachusetts.

Officer Whitney will demonstrate live firearms techniques, in the club’s 200 yard rifle range, used by the cavalry and infantry during the Civil War with a single-shot, muzzle-loading, rifled musket, a Sharps rifle as well as a cap and ball revolver.  Keith Fiske, the club’s safety coordinator, will hand out free ear plugs to spectators for the event.  

Templeton Reenactment - Henshaw Farm

Following the live firearms demonstration, at 11:00 am Officer Whitney will display an array of antique fire arms and lead a discussion on military weapons and tactics of the cavalry, infantry and artillery used by both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War.  A game stew and chicken Bar-B-Que will follow at 12:30 pm with live music provided by Ken Levine and friends.  Civil War demonstrations and a Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market will also be featured.

Field Headquarters - Templeton Reenactment

Tributes to those who participated in the Civil War will begin at 2:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at 6 Prospect Street, Orange.  Two doors up from the Town Hall, at the Orange Historical Society & Museum, 41 North Main Street, a Tea will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and at 5:00 pm a dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell.” 

And on Saturday, July 7, the World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” by Michael Riccards and directed by Genevieve Fraser will open at 7:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall as part of the 150^th Civil War Anniversary observances. Additional performances are scheduled for Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00 pm.  

The Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest quilts will be hung from the balcony of the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium from July 4 to the close of "Lincoln: The Musical" on July 15.  A reception for the quilters will be held at 6 pm at the Orange Historical Society, following the final Sunday matinee performance.  All events are free and open to the public; however, there will be a charge for the Bar-B-Que as well as the Historical Society tea and supper.

Individuals wishing to participate in the Civil War tributes, perform Civil War musical tributes, or sell wares as part of the Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market should contact Genevieve Fraser, the Civil War Remembrance Coordinator, at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com. Tickets for the Civil War Bar-B-Que can be reserved by emailing: Bellas-Dad@hotmail.com, or calling Mark at Tel. 978-467-6076.

 “Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council.   

Photo Credits: Genevieve Fraser 

Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest Deadline June 22 - Quilts to be displayed at Orange Town Hall Auditorium

The Quilting Room, Morris-Jumel Mansion,  NYC - LOC

Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest Deadline June 22

Quilts to be displayed at Orange Town Hall Auditorium

“During the Civil War, women on both sides of the conflict formed Soldier’s Aide Societies to raise funds and provide items of clothing and bedding for war weary men.  One of the most popular items was the Civil War quilt that would be auctioned off at Fairs and Craft bazaars or sewn as bedding for military cots,” according to Genevieve Fraser, coordinator of the Quabbin Civil War Day of Remembrance scheduled for July 4^th in Orange, MA

To honor the memory of the brave men and women of the Civil War era, individual quilters and quilting groups are invited to participate in the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War by submitting quilts up to 60 inches by 60 inches as part of the Quabbin Civil War Day of Remembrance,” Fraser said.  “The quilts will be put on display, hung from the balcony of the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium in the Orange Town Hall, and will remain on display during the production of “Lincoln: The Musical” by Dr. Michael Riccards on the weekends following the July 4th Civil War commemoration.”  The dates of the performance are Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 pm, Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 pm and the following weekend Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00 pm.  The production is free of charge and open to the public with a handicapped accessible side-entrance elevator.

Orange Town Hall Auditorium

The Civil War Quilt Contest is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the performing arts division of the non-profit Art for Life, which is also sponsoring “Lincoln: The Musical.” Awards will be presented to the quilters at a reception following the Sunday, July 15^th matinee performance of the play, with trophies and plaques donated by Ames Trophy and Screen Printing in Orange.  The deadline for quilt entries is June 22.   All quilts are to be dropped off at North Quabbin Woods, 1 East Main Street, Orange, MA

According to Kirby Lecy, project coordinator of North Quabbin Woods, and Nancy Blackmer, co-chairs of the contest, the quilts will be judged in two broad categories: hand made and machine made quilts.  Additional categories will include individual quilters and those made by groups.  All patterns must be representations from the Civil War era. The Civil War Quilt Contest is open to quilters throughout the region, state and nation.  

All entries in the Civil War Quilt Contest must adhere to the following rules. Quilts with a signed registration form must be dropped off at location listed below by June 22^nd.

Rules

1.     Quilts may be made by either an individual or by a group of quilters. Manufactured quilts will not be accepted.

2.     Quilts must use patterns and blocks must be representations from the civil war era. Examples of these can be found online http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

3.     Quilts size - must be a minimum of 18” x 18” and a maximum size of 60” x 60”.

4.     All quilt fabrics must not be more than 50% synthetic fiber, including backing. Pre-Printed Quilt cloth [cheater cloth] may not be used.

5.     Quilts may be MACHINE or HAND sewn. Quilting is defined as a running stitch that passes through top, batting, and backing. Tied quilts are not eligible for the contest. Machine and Hand quilts will be judged in two separate categories.

6.     All entries must have a sleeve or tabs attached to the top of the quilt for easy display. Any quilt received without these will be automatically disqualified.

7.     A label must be sewn on the back of the quilt. Label must include the name of the quilt and the quilt owner’s name.

8.     All Quilts submitted must be enclosed in a sturdy, large, clear appropriately sized blanket bag with a working zipper.

9.     All Quilts must be submitted by June 22nd. To North Quabbin Woods , 1 East Main Street Orange, MA for submission in the display.

DISPLAY & JUDGING

1.     All entries will be on display from June 30th  to  July 15^th at the  Orange Town Hall .

2.     Quilts will be judged on workmanship, design, and suitability/color in both machine and hand quilted categories. This will be done before the quilts are hung

3.     A “viewer’s choice” will also be chosen by the general public who comes to see the display of quilts.

4.     Quilts must be picked up on July 15^th, a small reception will be held after the final performance of Lincoln the Musical for all quilters. If you are unable to do this other arrangements must be made in advance. 

Other activities planned for the July 4th Remembrance will take place at the 70 acres Orange Gun Club, the oldest charted gun club in Massachusetts, located at 357 West River Street and the Orange Historical Society, 41 North Main Street in Orange.  Stating at 9:30 am, the Orange Gun Club will sponsor a Black Powder Shoot, to be followed by a presentation and discussion on antique fire arms with Environmental Police Officer Terry Whitney who will be joined by members of the 15^th Massachusetts Infantry Civil War re-enactor group. At 12:30 pm the gun club will host a Civil War chicken bar-b-que and game stew lunch. 

The Civil War Remembrances will start at 2:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall with musicians performing songs of the Civil War era, an appearance by Abe Lincoln (Chuck Berube), and Lucius Spooner (Larry Buell) of Petersham, a reading of Mark Twain’s “The Campaign that Failed,” with Tim Waite, plus stories, group discussions and readings from Civil War era diaries and letters from cities and towns throughout the region.  And two doors up from the Town Hall, starting at 2:00 pm, the Orange Historical Society will host a Tea, to be followed by a light supper and “Tin Type Show and Tell,” from 4:30 – 8:00 pm. Both the Orange Gun Club and Orange Town Hall sites will also feature a “Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market.”

Organizations, businesses or individuals wishing to help sponsor the play or other 150th Anniversary Civil War commemorative activities should make tax deductible donations to "CF Pals - Drama Circle," 1 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364.  In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted. “Lincoln: The Musical” is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts  Cultural Council.

The next Quabbin Civil War Day of Remembrance steering committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm at the Prescott Church Museum at the Swift River Valley Historical Society in North New Salem, Massachusetts.  All are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served. For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser, the Civil War activities coordinator and director of “Lincoln: The Musical” at Telephone (978) 544-1872, Email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or visit http://quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com/