The Mac-A-Cheek Foundation will hosts a 19th century Independence Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25, outdoors on the grounds at Mac-A-Cheek Castle, 10051 Township Road 47, West Liberty.
Participants are invited to take a picnic basket and blanket to enjoy the shady lawns of Mac-A-Cheek.
Play popular 19th century games including all day, including: cricket (once our national pastime) will be played from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:15 p,m. Hoops, graces, shuttlecock and battledore, and a red, white and blue game of Toss will be available most of the day.
From 11 a.m. to 12:15 and 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., participants can make 1880s daylight firecrackers (no explosives). Keep some and watch others released from an upper level of Mac-A-Cheek Castle just before 4 p.m.
An Independence Day Cake contest also is planned. Bakers can take a cake for the contest, and those donating cakes should bring them at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., voting will begin for the citizens’ choice. Each vote costs a $1. Prizes will be awarded later in the day for the most popular (citizens’ choice), most historically accurate 1800s style cake, and for the best Independence Day theme.
Starting at 1:45 p.m., you can taste cakes by donating a “hefty price for a slender slice.” All cake receipts help to fund the program.
Register for the cake contest by contacting Margaret or leaving a text or message at (937) 844-3902. To learn about historically accurate 1800s Independence Day or Election Cakes, visit: https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Cakes/ElectionCake.htm.
From 11 a.m. to noon and 1:15 to 2 p.m., interact with a living history interpreter representing a Civil War Veteran. At noon and 2:30 p.m., you can participate in a sham 1820s style militia muster with sticks (no weapons). Watch an 1860s musket firing demonstration at 12:45 and 3 p.m.
Storytelling for Adults and Youth in the big tent, includes: A Revolutionary Confection at 12:15 and 2:45, discover the story of Amelia Simmons who wrote the first American Cook Book in 1779. Using props and interaction, this engaging children’s book imagining the origin of Independence Cake custom will be shared.
Then at 1 and 3:30 p.m., listen to “Peter Pepperton’s Fourth o’ July Triumph.” Participate as the citizens who cheer during the short performance of an amusing story about an 1840 Independence Day Celebration in West Liberty, written by Donn Piatt in 1888.
No July 4th celebration in the 19th century would have felt complete without a distinguished gentleman reading aloud the Declaration of Independence. Take the time to listen and reflect at 2 p.m. in the big tent.
A historical character in costume representing the Arrangements Committee will announce the winners of the Independence Day Cake Contest at 3:50 p.m., followed by a flurry of Flying Fancies from an upper level of Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek and let the day end with a bang around the Cannon at 4 p.m.
Throughout the day, interpretive self-guided tours of Mac-A-Cheek Castle will be offered as usual between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm at the regular prices posted at www.piattcastle.org.
This event is sponsored by the Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities, a 501c3 not for profit organization that produces educational experiences at Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek.
Support for this free event was made possible by a grant from the Mary Eleanor Morris Fund of the Columbus Foundation, contributions from Piatt Castle Co. Inc., purchases of historical toys, visitor memberships or donations, and sponsors including Thomas Murphy, AV & Theatrical Design and All Phase Electric for our Historical Holiday Series, and Dr. Ronald Alvin Stewart for the 2023 Season.
