Historic Ford home hosting events Nov. 24
The Marion County Historical Society will present a Fordsville Antebellum Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 24 at the John Ford Home in Sandy Hook. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with candlelight tours starting at 5.
Activities will be Christmas-themed, and the grounds will feature authentic Christmas décor prominent during the mid-1800s with dramatized presentations from actors and actresses.
Candlelight tours allow guests to experience the ambiance of a time when the historic John Ford Home’s walls were kissed by the candle’s light. Tour guides give theatrical presentations of characters who once visited this historic site.
The Christmas story will be presented in an authentic period church service held in the historic Paynes Chapel. Fordsville’s beautiful white chapel will be professionally decorated for Christmas and will host a mid-1800s preacher accompanied by live music.
Occupation Day 1864 commemorates the time when legions of federal cavalrymen raided the site under the direction of U.S. General John W. Davidson. This event occurred in December 1864 when the Rankin family had possession of the John Ford Home. Reenactors will be on site portraying this event.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children.
All visitors must report to the new Fordsville Interpretive Center before entering the grounds. Parking will be provided free of charge.
All proceeds will go toward the Fordsville Development Fund. This fund has been established to help preserve the John Ford Home and develop the site into a regional heritage tourism destination.
Pictured Above: Local historian Ken Knopp portrayed Union General John W. Davidson during a past event at the John Ford Home. Local volunteers will recreate a 19th-century Christmas next weekend at the Sandy Hook venue. | File photo by Mark Rogers
