A day in the "city"

After making and canning some relish, I decided to take the rest of the day for myself and go to Abingdon. This is not the same place as Abington where I grew up - it's much closer than that to Rural Retreat. Compared to Rural Retreat this is a big city. And they are in the midst of the Highlands Festival - a wonderful 2 week event that includes arts and crafts, theater, music, and historical events. It's also got lots of wonderful shopping - consignment antique and other treasures.

Abingdon is home of the Barter Theater. Originally built as a church, this is one of the oldest theaters in America; The first play took place in 1876. The building was used for various non-theatrical purposes over the years. During the depression, a struggling actor, Rober Porterfield, established it as the Barter Theater promoting attendance with the motto "exchanging Ham for Hamlet." Cost to attend was 35 cents or the equivalent in victuals to feed the actors. 3 out of 4 people brought food (sometimes live chickens or pigs who could be heard clucking/squealing during the play) to see the plays. Per their website, at the end of the first year, "the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds." Famous alumna of the Barter Theater include Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Larry Linville (TV Mash), James Burrows (creator of Cheers and writer for Friends, Will & Grace) to name a few.  Porterfield's famous saying, repeated at every performance today goes something like, "if you loved it tell everyone; if not, keep your mouth shut."  Nelson and I have attended quite  few plays there and we've liked them all.

In the 1960's, the Barter obtained another building across  (also built as a church) the street from and opened the 167 seat Barter Theater II. Many of the plays we've seen have been put on there - you are right in the action.  During the Highlands festival, the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights also takes place. Readings from various plays are done, and at least one of those plays will be produced by the theater in a subsequent season.

Next to this theater is the Martha Washington Inn and Spa, formerly Martha Washington College. My grandmother was one of many young ladies of the late 1800's who attended this college, though she dropped out to get married.  It is certainly a lovely setting. There are several buildings - these being these being the biggest two. You can tour the building and they have pictures in the hallways of many of the classes and activities from its college days.

The Art and Crafts Festival for the Highlands Festival used to be held on the grounds of this and the Barter Theater II, but this was moved last year and the Inn thought it was too much for their guests.  I'll be back at the festival again next week, so will show pictures of that then. I'm sure I didn't really get to appreciate all of it the first time. An then there were the stores.. fun day for me!

Lest you think I left the country for a day, let me show you pictures of the festival parade. I didn't get the fire truck, or the parade marshal car, but you get the idea. It went by fast!

yes, chickens are alive

That's the entire band