MareHare: Wonderful Day!

Yesterday we had a wonderful day at Richmondtown in Staten Island. Of course Tom, my partner, was there right by my side and we had a great time talking to all of the great people that came to our table. We hear that it was hot in the sun and I believe the temps got up to the low 70*s. At one point Ildika of Sweetie Pie*s Preserves, across from us, took off her hoodie and cap and was in her short-sleeved shirt so I knew it was nice and toasty on her side of the road. We were under a tree, so both Tom and I stayed pretty much bundled up all day (I was wearing 3 layers) as the sun was at one point in our eyes, shining through tree leaves, but that was about as much sun as we got. Actually that is a good thing because 9 out of 10 times when we do outside fairs at one point or another my sunscreen wears off and I come home pretty cooked. I think the last time I can actually say that I was freezing with a capital F at a fair was when we did a sale in front of the house in mid-November a few years back. Never again! Well, not in November anyway!

Since many of you do not live in or near the Staten Island area I thought you might like to see some photos of what Richmondtown actually looks like. It has the oldest school house, called The Voorleezer House, the oldest known in America with it*s patent dating back to 1680. It has been restored and is open to the public along with many of the other buildings that were either already there, such as the Court House or moved there such as the Lake-Tysen House which was originally built in the Oakwood section of Staten Island by Joseph Guyon. That house has a Dutch-Flemish flavor to it where as the Voorleezer is a clapboard style. Off the top of my head I can think of few of the buildings there, the first railroad station on the island, a pub, sawmill, tinsmith, general store, the court house, which includes a gift shop and local history and the museum which is a wonderful way to get in touch with Staten Island. It has so many more houses and businesses and it is so funny how things happen. You know how I love my signs and wonders and coincidences. I just found out while captioning the photos for the blog that Tom and I had our table right in front of the Annadale Train Station and General Store, which is where we were both born (the town of Annadale, that is, not in the general store). This train station was moved, obviously, from the Annadale area of the Island and dates back to 1850 but was added to in 1911 and used as a residence. Today it is used as a place for restoration. How funny is that? Without even knowing it Tom and I were assigned to the Annadale section of the fair. That little building pre-dates our first family member born on the island by 30 years. She ended up an orphan and lived for a few years at Mount Loretto in the south shore, when Fr. Drumgoole was there and eventually was raised by her aunt.

If you are ever heading to the New York area, or live near by, make it a point to visit Richmond Town Restoration. It is just filled with Staten Island history and gives you an idea of what life was like for small towns all over America back in the old days. People flock to Williamsburg and have no idea that this town is very, very similar and in the heart of New York City. For more information and upcoming events you can always visit their website http:///historicrichmondtown.org. They have so many great events coming up you have to check out their site and get your butt over there!

Oh, and there is a shot of our humble table set up and your*s truly too. (The Annadale building is over my right shoulder.) Visit Richmondtown! I insist! You will be transported back in time and just love it - especially on Old Home Day, the Autumn Months and the Candle-light tour and when you are done stop in the Bennett or Guyon Cafes for some hot apple cider!

Have a peaceful week!

Mare