Historic Rugby’s Heritage Day Is Oct. 4

  • Monday, September 22, 2014
Rugby boys pump water at the town pump in the early 1900s
Rugby boys pump water at the town pump in the early 1900s

Celebrate the history and culture of Appalachian families who settled the Rugby region with a free, family-friendly day filled with demonstrations, crafters, and children’s activities on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

The demonstrations at Historic Rugby will include blacksmithing, basket weaving, and candle-dipping, among others. A Michaelmas Festival is being held in conjunction with the festivities the same Saturday at Rugby’s Christ Church Episcopal, including a special tea for those with reservations.

The next day, Oct. 5, Rugby will mark the date of its 1880 founding with a reenactment of the ceremony held in the new village 134 years ago. This event also has no admission charge.

Just west on Highway 52 from Rugby, the town of Allardt will be holding its annual Pumpkin Festival, also Oct. 4. The combination makes for a varied weekend, so visitors may choose to stay in Historic Rugby’s lodging to enjoy it all.

Special demonstrations for Appalachian Heritage Day include blacksmithing by Brad Greenwood; shoe making by Matthew Matteson; candle dipping by Shirley Hughes; whittling by Bill Henry; white oak basketry by Scott Gilbert and Beth Hester; pine basketry by Joyce Lantz, spinning by Sue Duncan; and knitting by Mary Curren.

Several vendors will be selling traditional Appalachian craft work, including Lisa Stansberry with her pottery art, also demonstrating the potter’s wheel. Chair and stool maker Bill Wilkey will demonstrate chair bottoming and Katie Avram will have her Sassycats baskets for exhibit and sale inside the Visitor Centre.

Other vendors will provide food, along with the Harrow Road Café.

The free Michaelmas Festival on Oct. 5 will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern and include crafts for sale, baked goods, more children’s activities, and tours of the church.

The afternoon tea will be served at noon and 2 p.m. EDT in the building just behind Christ Church. Tickets are $10 per person, with reservations strongly suggested. Call Dorcus McBrayer for reservations at 423 628-1282 or email her at grannymcbrayer@gmail.com.

Call 423 628-2441 for additional information on these events, or visit www.historicrugby.org. Rugby is located just off state Highway 52 between U.S. 127 and U.S. 27 at the southern gateway into the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.


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