THE FESTIVAL

 

The two-day festival in Arrow Rock, "Gunstocks and Bustles," centered on the relationship between the post-Civil War time period and the village of Arrow Rock. Because of the relatively widespread layout of the twelve buildings in Arrow Rock and the intense heat of the summer, the Friends decided to hold the event in September, after the series of living history tours. Held on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival offered five main types of programs: 1) lectures given by professionals and experts; 2) reenactment tours drawn from the interns' work on John and Nannie Sites; 3) period worship services presented by volunteers and professional actors; 4) family-oriented activities including music and children's games; 5) open houses with costumed interpreters. In adopting this five-pronged approach, the Friends of Arrow Rock staff hoped to attract a wider, more diverse audience. As Pam Parsons explained, by providing several speakers and activities, they hoped to attract a range of visitors: "those who might take a tour, those with an interest in old guns, those with interest in black history, [and those with] children."

The schedule for the two-day event was structured as follows:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH
10:00 a.m.
"From Virginia to Missouri: A Heritage of Gunsmithing"
By Wallace Gusler, Master Gunsmith, Colonial Williamsburg

11:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
Reenactment Tours — J. P. Sites Gun Shop and House
Pick up free tickets at Friends office

2:30 p.m.
"The Life and Times of John and Nannie Sites"
By Tom Hall and Sue Stubbs, Friends of Arrow Rock historians

3:30 — 5:00 p.m.
Historic Buildings Open-with costumed interpreters

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH
10:00 a.m.
Worship in 1872 Christian Church

11:00 a.m.
Worship in 1880's Brown's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church
Clyde Ruffin, MU Theatre Department, portrays Reverend Harrison Green

11:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
Reenactment Tours-J.P. Sites Gun Shop and House
Pick up free tickets at Friends office

1:00 — 3:00 p.m.
Missouri Mules "Jill and Shirley" give free wagon rides

2:30 p.m.
"Post Civil War Missouri"
By Gary Kremer, co-author, A History of Missouri, 1875-1919

3:30 — 5:00 p.m.
Historic Buildings Open-with costumed interpreters

Period music and games were offered throughout both days; restaurants and shops were also open throughout the weekend events.