Mound City's 'Colonial Day' a throwback to 1776

Visitors roam around the Mound City Historical Park on Friday, July 3, during the 'Colonial Days: Live Like it's 1776' event sponsored by the Mound City Historical Society and the Mound City Library. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal)

By Billy Roudybush

Journal contributor

On Friday July 3rd, the Mound City Library and the Mound City Historical Society worked together to bring a celebration to Mound City for the nation’s 250th birthday. Brittany Simpson, library director, organized the celebration and led the drive to hold this event.

It was a chance to show many of the skills and articles that have been created and used in the past. There was everything from blacksmithing to beeswax candle-making and peach leathers, the original fruit rollup.

Patrick Burns twists a piece of metal in the park's blacksmith shop.

Patrick Burns and his daughter Jordan worked the forge to produce the heat for their blacksmith work. They explained the difference between coal and coke. Coal is the original mineral where the coke is coal heated and has changed composition so the fire will burn hotter.

He used this heat to shape, twist, and cut metal. After a complete demonstration, he had completely changed the metal from a straight piece to a decorated hook. Patrick got into blacksmithing because it is a skill that had been in his family.

He even had the anvil that his grandfather had used, along with the wood block it sat on which had been cut from the ends of railroad bridge ties.

Carol Nickelson holds a platter of peach leather she made for the occasion. The leather was candy in the colonial days. She also served small corn cakes with honey, another late 16th century staple.

In the park's bungalow there were refreshments and quilters. Carol Nicholson would greet people with an offer of a peach leather. It looked like a small patch of leather cloth. Instead of sewing it, you ate it. It had a fantastic taste,

As Carol pointed out, it was the original fruit rollup.

They also had other delicacies from colonial times, such as cornbread cakes with honey, a favorite for many people. Also in the house were the Friendly Circle Club, originally the Linville Friendly Circle Club. The club has been together since 1932.

Meribeth Kehl, left, instructs visitors in the art of writing with a feather quill pen.

The group had been formed to help each other with quilts and the camaraderie. The few members that were present were Jeanie Peterson, Jackie Williamson, Jenefer Hughes, Carmen Self, and Virginia Adams.

Even though several had joined the group in the last few years, many of them knew the history of the group and the object of the group, which is to give the quilts they make to give to disaster victims. They alsowork with kids to show them how to make a patch quilts.

Musicians play colonial tunes under the shade of the gazebo for an appreciative audience.

Outside in the gazebo, music reigned. The morning started with Roger Sims and his guitar playing songs from the American Revolution through the 1930. He explained some details about the songs and their origins.

Next came Carissa and Friends with their old time and gospel sounds. With their large gathering, these people sat around in the shade and enjoyed their playing.

The final performer was Dave Ryan, he played old country tunes with his guitar and harmonica. All of these performers made the walk between building enjoyable.

Laure Beckman demonstrates how the ball-and-cup toy works. Visitors to the library learned how to make their own.

Members of the Linville Friendly Circle Club work on a quilt.

Calleigh Sutterby, left, helps a visitor make a "quiet" doll, which is an interactive, handmade fabric or paper doll used to keep children quietly entertained.