Greenfield Historical Society

SPECIAL EVENTS

Ghost Walk - 2007

The Greenfield Historical Society recently held its Annual Ghost Walk. Five "ghosts" from Greenfield's past told their story to a large audience estimated at 170 people in the Old Burying Ground behind Travellers Rest.

William Smith told about serving in the continental Army during the American Revolution and moving to Greenfield with two of his sons to start a tannery. He told in detail the process of changing animal hides into leather and how his son Samuel built the Smith Tannery in 1821. Smith was played by Danny Long.	Nancy Mitchell Smith told her story about being married to William Smith's son, Samuel. She explained how she died shortly after giving birth to her son, Samuel Mitchell Smith, who went on to become a teacher and trustee of Starling Medical College in Columbus and was Surgeon General of Ohio During the Civil War. Nancy was portrayed by Katie Narcross.
Joseph Robinson told the story of his grandfather who was an Irish commoner who fell in love with the daughter of a nobleman. Both families refused to agree with marriage so the young couple fled to America to start up a new life. Joseph also explained how he was such a successful farmer in the Greenfield area that he was able to leave each of his children a farm or the money to buy a farm. John Baal acted the part of Joseph.	John Ferneau was born in Holland and was drafted into the Dutch army which was hired by the British king to fight against the Colonists in the American Revolution. Otis Wagner told how Ferneau was captured at Yorktown by the American army. Instead of going back to Holland, Ferneau decided to stay in America. He was a glove maker by trade and settled in Virginia. He later moved to Greenfield with his family.
Eric Salyer brought John Duncan back to tell his story. His father was born in Scotland and came to America to find a new life. John was born in American and eventually Settled in Greenfield. He served in the War of 1812 and was a successful farmer. He was one of the signers of the petition for Noble Crawford to open a public house in Greenfield.	The society wishes to thank the actors who portrayed the five "ghosts". They made the eveing enjoyable and educational for all who attended.

History Day - 2007

The Greenfield Historical Society hosted History Day on September 29th. It was a day of various activities at the buildings at the east end of town. Special exhibits were featured as well as craftspeople demonstrating their skills. There was even an "attic sale" for the community yard sale. And of course there was plenty of food.

We wish to give a special thank you to all the volunteers and the committee that worked so hard to put the day together. The committee consisted of Patsy Smith, Shirley Shields,Ed King, Hank Thompson, Johanna Thompson and Earlene Scott.

Thanks for all you dedication and hard work.

Wendy and Harold

Sign that directed the visitors to the various activities and exhibits.	Visitors viewing the old pictures in the exhibit, "A Look at Historic Greenfield," held in Travellers Rest. Volunteers who hosted this exhibit were Susan Thompson, Sharon Greene, Shirley Shields and Wilma Everhart.
Volunteer workers on the old stone wall at the Old Burying Grounds worked during the day so visitors could see the process of building the wall. John Daugherty, head stone mason, supervised the volunteers that included John Royse, Teddy Higginbotham, Everett Harvey and Jerry Scott.
Close up pictures of Tom Adams' model train display in the B&O Depot. Jay Hardy volunteered to host in the Depot for the morning.
Tom Adams and his display.	Sue Faulkner demonstrated chair caning during the day in the Grain and Hay building.
Jack Bryant with his World War II magazine ads in the Grain and Hay building.	Jon Rowe and his collection of Indian artifacts in the Grain and Hay building.
Margaret Dieringer demonstrated the art of spinning wool in the Grain and Hay building.	Visitors were fascinated by Margaret Dieringer's skill at wool spinning.
John Miller volunteered as host in the Red Barn.	The Patterson mail buggy draws a visitor's interest
The West family brought produce to sell.	Barb Priest's Attic Sales booth.
Debbie Wise with her Attic Sales booth.	Erin Honnold and Wendy Ellis sold handcrafted cards and jewelry in their Attic Sales booth.
More Attic Sales booths including Larry Chapman's booth.	Paul Orr manned the Society's sales booth. His wife, Evelyn, also volunteered.
Hank Thompson, assistant treasure, Johanna Thompson, secretary and volunteer, Bev Lyons, man the Society's food booth. Jackie Soards, Frances Dettwiller, Libby McGuffin and Janet Climer also volunteered during the day.	Cathy Rivas demonstrated the art of calligraphy.
Kara and Nathan Roberts volunteered to host the Smith Tannery entitled "Greenfield Fashions - The Way We Wore." Kyle Duff and Patty Smith also volunteered as hosts.	.