News Release

FestiFall 2019 Features Return of The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

Date: September 12, 2019
Contact: Brian Reedy, 724-329-5470

POINT MARION,Pa. The Friendship Hill Association and the National Park Service celebrate the life and times of Albert Gallatin at FestiFall 2019 Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. With music, food, crafts and games, there is something for everyone at FestiFall. The annual event is designed to celebrate Albert Gallatin's role in the early republic. Best known for his service as Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Jefferson and Madison, Gallatin established his home at Friendship Hill after immigrating to America from Geneva.

The area was still frontier, and crafts and individually created items were the norm. Albert Gallatin was an entrepreneur, and upon arriving in America he focused his energy on bringing industry west of the Appalachians. He was also a scholar and financier. His achievements include the founding of the American Ethnological Society in 1842 to help preserve Indian languages and culture that were rapidly disappearing. He was also a founder of New York University and president of the National Bank of New York City

FestiFall recalls those times with demonstrations of historic crafts. Over fifty crafters and demonstrators will be on site. Visitors can learn about crafts techniques involving textiles, metal working and blacksmithing, woodturning and carving, leatherworking, candles and balms, paper making and more. Wares offered by demonstrators and tradespeople also include garlands, baskets, jewelry, pottery, handmade note cards, and silhouettes. Patrons will also have the chance to learn about surveying, historic maps, and banking during Gallatin's time.

There are many opportunities to learn about life in early Fayette County in fun, hands-on ways. Over the course of the two-day celebration, children can participate in candle dipping and corn husk doll making as well as play historic games. A circuit rider performing a surprise frontier wedding both Saturday and Sunday is sure to delight all members of the family.

Plan to eat lunch under the trees on the lawn outside the Gallatin House. The taste of history offered by the Friendship Hill Association members will include hearty ham and bean soup slow cooked over an open fire, dill pickles, sugar biscuits, molasses cookies, apple cider, lemonade, and root beer. Food tickets can be purchased at the Friendship Hill Association Welcome Tent. Food tickets are sold for cash

Music will be provided by the WVU Mountaineer Fifes and Drums, Greene Academy Dulcimer Players. The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will perform on Saturday. This will be the first performance of the Old Guard at Friendship Hill since the grand opening celebration in 1992.

There are also opportunities to explore more about history and contemporary issues at Friendship Hill by taking a self-guided tour of the Gallatin House or visiting the monarch butterfly garden. The Monarch Mafia, a cadre of volunteers dedicated to studying the Monarch Butterfly, will explain the life stages of this beautiful insect and the ongoing work at Friendship Hill to help their plight.

Admission to the event and parking remains free. Shuttle service from the parking area to the knoll is provided for those needing assistance. The Gallatin House is handicap accessible with restrooms that are open to the public.

The Friendship Hill Association is a non-profit group whose mission is to support the National Park Service at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. They are sponsoring the event in cooperation with the National Park Service. A membership table for the Friendship Hill Association will be available at FestiFall.

Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located on Rt. 166 between Point Marion, PA and New Geneva, PA. For further information contact the National Park Service at [phone]. Although Rte. 166 is closed for repairs between Point Marion and Friendship Hill, the park and be easily reached by following the marked detour through Smithfield.