May 5—POTTSTOWN — Historic Pottsgrove Manor held a May Day celebration on Saturday, kicking off a series of special summer programs.
The event included games, displays, music and demonstrations of colonial arts and crafts.
Pottsgrove Manor is the home of John Potts, the founder of Pottstown.
Built in 1752, the home showcases early Georgian architecture and tells the history of John and Ruth Potts, their 13 children, and the paid, indentured, and enslaved people who lived and labored here.
According to information presented Saturday, May Fairs, celebrating the coming of summer and often coinciding with a market day, first took root in England during the reign of King Edward I. They eventually grew so elaborate and “out of hand” that they were abolished by British officials in 1764.
But that did not keep them from happening.
In Colonial America, the tradition continued with the largest May Day fairs known to have been held in Germantown, Philadelphia and Lancaster.
Fairgoers could purchase goods, wares and livestock, while entertainments included foot races, tightrope walkers, plays and “grinning for cheese.”
The arrival of summer in May Fair is marked by festivities including appearances from milkmaids, processions, and the crowning of a new May Queen. This year’s honor went to Evelyn Meitzler (who will turn 12 shortly at age 11).
The celebrations frequently ended with the interlacing of ribbons around the Maypole, as was seen at Pottsgrove Manor.
What festivity doesn’t include delicious goodies? On Saturday, these delights were crafted in the large Colonial-style kitchen by May Sherlock from Fort Washington, Kyle Timmons—a Pottstown High alumnus residing in Phoenixville—and Elijah Burton from Philadelphia.
Burton runs her own historic clothing enterprise in Philadelphia, whereas Timmons pursues it purely for his passion. He recalled, “I visited here with my class during third grade, and I was immediately drawn to it. Ever since then, I have been involved in this.”
In the main drawing room, Tom Tucker of Abington and Antoine Watts of Lansdowne used guitar, fife and voice to recreate the music of the era that would have been played during the celebration.
“Many times, the people would play the instruments themselves, as most knew how to play at least one, but if you had money, you could hire musicians. The Potts family would have entertained in this room, and there would have been dancing here, and maybe even in the hall,” said Watts.
There was no dancing in the hall on Saturday, but there was a beauty salon of sorts. Jessica Fine of Phoenixville took it upon herself to research what kind of makeup and cosmetics were used at the time. She said the fashion icon of the day was a French socialite and the official chief mistress of King Louis XV from 1745 to 1751, named Madame Pompadour.
It was she who made the pasty white powder make-up of the day fashionable, Fine explained, while pointing to a portrait on the table next to her wares.
In addition to usually knowing how to play at least one instrument, ladies of the time were also skilled in other areas of the arts. Of particular interest at the time was botanical painting, often using watercolor paints, said Mary Chisak of Gilbertsville, who was demonstrating the art for Pottsgrove Manor visitors.
The upcoming special event will take place on June 21 and June 22, featuring Forgotten History Tours at Pottsgrove Manor to commemorate Juneteenth. This occasion will offer specialized tours focused on Black history, giving guests an opportunity to view the manor from the perspectives of both free and enslaved people who resided and worked within the Potts family homes and the nearby iron industry. Discover these individuals’ identities and listen to their narratives.
Chisak will come back on Saturday, July 12, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., offering a presentation along with exploratory art activities set in the 18th-century theme. Then at 1 p.m., participants can join a “Plein Air” watercolor painting event outdoors at the museum premises. This activity welcomes all levels of artists, including those just starting out; basic guidance for beginners using watercolors will be offered too. Attendees should bring their personal materials, but they also have the option to buy a pre-assembled art kit priced at $25 from Pottsgrove Manor.
Pottsgrove Manor hosts regular “Maker Day” on the first Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which allows visitors to peek behind the scenes and learn about colonial trades and projects undertaken by staff and volunteers. Whether it’s tailoring, upholstery, leatherworking, or blacksmithing.
August Saturdays at Pottsgrove Manor offer a variety of unique experiences every weekend. Each week brings new activities such as learning about colonial music, cuisine, blacksmithing, interacting with artifacts, and exploring art. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe living historians showcasing period skills and crafts. You can also join the manor’s curator for an up-close examination of select items from the collection. Spend your day wandering through the first-floor exhibits via a self-guided tour.
Visit the Pottsgrove Manor website —
https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/930/Pottsgrove-Manor
—for details regarding supplementary initiatives.
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