World War II Weekend - 2013

While the promise of spring may still seem to be in the distant future, our committee has been hard at work for months now planning the World War II Weekend to be held on the grounds of Graeme Park and the Penrose-Strawbridge House on April 20-21 (raindate April 27-28). In addition to organizing the various vendors, non-profits, WWII veterans, and reenactment groups, some of whom will be traveling from neighboring states to spend the weekend camping on the grounds and sharing their history and displays with our visitors, we've finalized our preliminary schedule and have an action packed weekend planned. Please note that times are approximate and subject to change but this should give you a general idea of what we're offering and when.

WWII Schedule - Saturday, April 20

Flag Raising Ceremony & National Anthem - 10:00 am - Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by a professional singer.

Displays Open - 10:00 am – 4:00 pm - Visitors can tour American and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, see a WWII pigeon trailer and learn about the role pigeons played during wartime, step inside the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum's airplane simulation cockpit, meet author John Alosi, Jr. who will be signing his book War Birds, meet and talk to WWII veterans, including a member of the Tuskegee Airman, shop with various vendors selling WWII era military equipment, t-shirts, and reproduction PX items, and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Honor Flight, and the services they offer.

Tours of the Keith House and Summer Kitchen - 10:30, 11:00 am, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 pm - The Keith House, the 18th-century mansion at the core of Graeme Park, is a National Historic Landmark and the reason we do what we do. The Keith House was built c. 1722 for Sir William Keith, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and showcases well preserved, and largely untouched, architectural features and an interesting cast of former inhabitants. Brief tours will take visitors through the first two floors and touch on the lives of Keith, Dr. and Mrs. Graeme, and their daughter, the writer Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson. Elizabeth occupied Graeme Park during a different war, the Revolution, and its impact greatly altered the course of her life.

Weapons Demonstration - 11:30 am - 12:00 noon - Members of the reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks.

Flag Folding Demonstration - 12:00 noon - Learn about how and why the flag is folded for ceremonial and presentation purposes and what each fold means.

Battle Reenactment - 12:30 - 1:30 pm - The first half hour or so of the battle is warm-up and staging for the reenactors and while visitors may be able to hear the gunfire, viewing will not be optimal until about 1:00 pm - a great time to grab a quick lunch, use the facilities and make your way up to the Penrose-Strawbridge House (our "French village" for the day) for when the real battle action begins at 1:00.

Luminaries & Gun Salute - 1:45 pm - State RepresentativesTom Murt and Todd Stephens will speak briefly and honor the veterans for whom luminaries have been purchased by reading their names. Following the dedication and lighting of the luminaries, a gun salute will honor our veterans.

Swing Dance Lesson and Demonstration - 2:00 - 2:45 pm - Get out your dance shoes and get ready to swing. Vince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, Pennsylvania, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience and demonstrating some fancier footsteps with his partner.

USO Dance/Swing Band Concert - 3:00 - 4:45 pm - Now that you know how to swing, put your feet in motion to the Society Music Makers as they play hits from the 1940s through today, including favorites from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and more.

WWII Schedule – Sunday, April 21

Flag Raising Ceremony & National Anthem - 10:00 am - Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by a professional singer.

Displays Open - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm - Visitors can tour American and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, see a WWII pigeon trailer and learn about the role pigeons played during wartime, step inside the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum's airplane simulation cockpit, meet author John Alosi, Jr. who will be signing his book War Birds, meet and talk to WWII veterans, including a member of the Tuskegee Airman, shop with various vendors selling WWII era military equipment, t-shirts, and reproduction PX items, and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Honor Flight, and the services they offer.

Weapons Demonstration - 11:00 - 11:30 am - Members of the reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks.      

Tours of the Keith House and Summer Kitchen - 11:00, 11:30 am, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 pm - The Keith House, the 18th-century mansion at the core of Graeme Park, is a National Historic Landmark and the reason we do what we do. The Keith House was built c. 1722 for Sir William Keith, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and showcases well preserved, and largely untouched, architectural features and an interesting cast of former inhabitants. Brief tours will take visitors through the first two floors and touch on the lives of Keith, Dr. and Mrs. Graeme, and their daughter, the writer Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson. Elizabeth occupied Graeme Park during a different war, the Revolution, and its impact greatly altered the course of her life.

Flag Folding Demonstration - 12:00 noon - Learn about how and why the flag is folded for ceremonial and presentation purposes and what each fold means. .

Battle Reenactment - 12:00 - 1:00 pm - The first half hour or so of the battle is warm-up and staging for the reenactors and while visitors may be able to hear the gunfire, viewing will not be optimal until about 12:30 pm - a great time to enjoy the flag folding demonstration, grab a quick lunch, use the facilities and make your way up to the Penrose-Strawbridge House (our "French village" for the day) for when the real battle action begins at 12:30.

Dedication of Monument by the Honor Guard and Gun Salute - 1:15 pm - We'll be placing a new monument out by the flag pole dedicated to our military vets past and present with a presentation by the honor guard and a gun salute.

US Army Band - 1:30 - 2:30 pm - Join us in the event tent for a spirited concert by the US Army Band, featuring patriotic tunes and favorites from the 1940s. Break out your dance shoes if you wish, or just tap your toe and hum along.

The general admission cost is $10/day ($15/both days); $5/seniors 65+; free/veterans & kids 12 and under. A special household admission price for two adults and accompanying children is also available for $25/day or $40/weekend.