More than 100 guests heard stories of Marion County’s past by candlelight during the second annual Fordsville Antebellum Christmas on Saturday.
The Marion County Historical Society hosted the event at the John Ford Home in Sandy Hook.
Characters presented the autobiographical history of several former residents and visitors to the John Ford Home during Occupation Day 1864. U.S. Army General John Davidson and some 4,000 troops occupied the grounds on Dec. 3, 1864, stealing livestock, corn, blankets off the beds and burning more than 1,000 acres of fence while on their way to Columbia. General Davidson was played by Ken Knopp, and the fiery personality that Davidson was known for didn’t lack with Knopp’s impersonation.
Visitors to the John Ford Home were greeted at the Visitor’s Center with snacks, hot coffee and spiced tea. From there, Chris Watts would lead the groups through the home, narrating important fact about the characters and the home.
"Fordsville Antebellum Christmas was a success this year, and we are so thankful for all who attended and helped. Watching visitors return to the modern visitor center to warm up, grab a cup of spiced tea and gourmet sweet treat as they gushed about the goosebumps they had from watching the character presentations was delightful and helped us know we did what we set out to do,” Kelly Roberts, vice president of the Marion County Historical Society, said. “Antebellum Christmas is only three years old. We hope to expand this event in the next year and to use it to continue to teach our history in an enjoyable and interactive way while raising funds to preserve and develop the JFH site. This site is such a treasure and is so engulfed in history that we want to keep around for future generations.”
After the tour of the house, guests were welcomed into the historic Payne’s Chapel Methodist Church where they heard the Christmas Story and sang hymns. Jeremy Robbins was in charge of the décor for the entire site and a host of volunteers portrayed characters on the tour, including Mike Fraering as Sam Rankin, James Young as Calvert, Calab Matheny as the other Rankin, Ken Knopp as General Davidson, James Huff as Gen. Davidson's orderly and Patricia Salassi as Martha Rankin. The preacher in the church was Matthew Bates.
The event started at 5 p.m. and ended at midnight. The future of this event is extremely bright considering the growth over the last two years, organizers said.
Pictured Above: Patricia Salassi portrays Martha Rankin during Saturday’s Fordsville Antebellum Christmas at the John Ford Home in Sandy Hook. Characters dressed in period costumes welcomed more than 100 guests to the event. | Photo by Brandi Perry
