Festival to Showcase Historic Trades in Glen Dale
Appalachian Artisan Festival set at Cockayne House
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When members the Cockayne family lived in their historic Glen Dale home, several of the family's neighbors and fellow community members worked as blacksmiths, glass blowers, quilters, potters, beekeepers and more.
This weekend, Cockayne Farmstead staff members once again are bringing those historic professions to the spotlight in the Ohio Valley.
The farmstead will host the first Appalachian Artisan Festival at the site in Glen Dale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
According to Site Manager Claire Shrontz, the free event will include exhibits and demonstrations from local artisans, who will showcase their talents and sell their wares to the public.
Shrontz added new exhibits inside the house, provided by a West Virginia Humanities Council grant, will include information and artifacts on the Cockayne family's wool business, clothing owned by Cockayne family members and historic toys.
Children's games will also be held outside. Free parking is available across the street at John Marshall High School.
Shrontz said a new historic register plaque for the house will also be unveiled during the festivities.
"I think it's important for us to have a better presence in the community and show that history can be fun and it's not just walking through an old house," Shrontz said. "People can interact with living history through watching these vendors. These are all Appalachian trades that were popular at the time."