Our President's Day visit to the American Village

Nancy Brunson, George Washington, Caitlin 

Hines, Gaye Hines, Nell Gilmer, Donna Clark,

 Charlene Martin at Mount Vernon

On Monday, Feb. 21 - President's Day - Jim and I went with a group of DAR members and their guests to the American Village in Montevallo, AL  for a day of special events and a birthday party for George Washington.  Check it out at   www.americanvillage.org
Click on "Watch the Video" at the bottom of the homepage to get an idea of what takes place at Amer. Village.  Then look at The Photo Gallery on the left side of the home page, at the bottom, for lots of photos of events taking place at American Village.


There were 15 people in our group and 10 of those were DAR members.  We used our church "people mover" bus for the 3-hour drive to Montevallo.  This was my 3rd trip, but first time for most of the others.

Learning the Virginia Reel

 In the photo here, we are in one of the rooms at Mt Vernon and the girls in costume were telling us about the special parties and dances held at Mt Vernon.  They invited some children to join them for the Virginia Reel.

Thomas Jefferson (from Elba)

Next we went to the Assembly room where we listened to Thomas Jefferson talk about his place in history.  We learned that Mr. Jefferson was from Elba!  The son of our friends Jack and Jane Brunson.  He's a great actor and knew a lot about Thomas Jefferson.  He answered many questions from people in the audience.

Jim taking over as President

Nell and Jim at Mt Vernon

 We visited a replica of the Oval Office and Jim wanted his picture made at the President's desk.  There were big windows behind him so it was hard to get a photo.  The seal on the blue rug is beautiful.

This photo on the right was taken in front of the replica of Mt. Vernon.  This was where the events all began at noon, with cupcakes celebrating George Washington's Birthday.

Mr. Washington welcoming us

President Washington walked out to the steps of Mt. Vernon and welcomed guests to his house.  He wasn't wearing his white wig so I almost didn't recognize him (plus he seems to have gained a little weight in his old age).

We visited the home of John Adams and others when they lived in Philadelphia - called The President's House.  Toured the replica of the courthouse in Philadelphia and went inside the chapel, a replica of the one where Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech.  He wasn't there yesterday.   We heard him when we attended the dedication of the chapel in 2006.

It was a fun day and we especially enjoyed the interaction of children attending the events.  They were so attentive to the costumed speakers and listened to every word, and many asked questions.

We left to return home at 3 pm, and toured the campus of the University of Montevallo, a beautiful old campus, on the way back to I-65 to head home.  Had a great day.