World War II Weekend

With spring just on the horizon, our WWII committee is in high gear planning the 6th annual WWII Weekend at Graeme Park, in Horsham, PA. As in previous years, we'll have living history camp displays, battle reenactments and demonstrations, WWII veterans and honor ceremonies, swing dance lessons, a big band concert with the West Chester Swing Kings, and the comedic antics of the Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show. Look for more details in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here is the schedule we have tentatively planned.

Tentative Schedule - Subject to Change

SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH
Periodically throughout the day - Tours of the historic Keith House
9:30 AM - Gates Open
10:00 AM - Flag Raising and Singing of the National Anthem with Mimi Drummond
10:15 AM - Weapons and Equipment Demonstration
11:00 AM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
12:00 NOON - Battle Reenactment
1:00 PM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show 
2:00 PM - Rosie the Riveter (Mae Krier)
2:30 PM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show 
3:00 PM - Battle Reenactment
3:45 PM - Swing Dance Lessons
5:00 PM - USO Dance with the West Chester Swing Kings

SUNDAY, MAY 1ST
Periodically throughout the day - Tours of the historic Keith House
8:30 AM - WWII Field Church Service
9:30 AM - Gates Open
9:30 AM - WWII Field Church Service
10:00 AM - Flag Raising and Singing of the National Anthem with Mimi Drummond
10:15 AM - Weapons and Equipment Demonstration
11:00 AM - Rosie the Riveter (Mae Krier)
11:45 AM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
12:30 PM - Swing Dance Lessons
1:30 PM - Honor Guard with State Representatives Todd Stephens, Kate Harper, and Tom Murt, Twp. Mgr. Bill Walter, and Horsham Twp. Counsel Members; Honoring of Veterans and Lighting of Luminary Bags with Rep. Tom Murt
2:30 PM - Battle Reenactment
3:15 PM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
4:00 PM - Close of Event

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Kori & David

Kori and David had a beautiful September afternoon for their boho-styled wedding at Graeme Park. The bride, bedecked in a baby's breath wreath, walked out of the woods in a lace gown like a woodland fairy and joined her gingham-shirted and green-bow-tied groom and guests in front of the historic Keith House.

After the ceremony the guests enjoyed a lavish spread of hors d'oevres, including cheese and crackers, fruit, grilled vegetables, sliders and other hot appetizers catered by Joey G's of Newtown.

Joey G's., who is one of our preferred caterers, then followed with a casual, relaxed meal of iceberg lettuce wedges with crumbled bacon and blue cheese, build-your-own burgers and dogs, grilled veggie wraps, mac and cheese, and assorted fries.

The tent was decked out in full bouquets of fresh daisies and baby's breath, simple white linens and natural wooden chairs.

The cake echoed the daisy theme and was topped with the couple's initial.

Congratulations Kori and David and thank you for choosing Graeme Park to celebrate your marriage.

Special Places: 1989 Photo Shoot at Graeme Park

During a recent cleaning and reorganizing of our library bookshelves, I came across an interesting little booklet called "Special Places." Flipping through pictures of old properties I suddenly stopped on a familiar image: "That's Graeme Park. But that's not our furniture! What the heck is this?" Looking more closely at the captions, I realized it was a catalog for Martex bedding. They had used Graeme Park, and several other historic properties, as settings for their product lines. None of the locations are identified, although Fonthill in Doylestown is rather distinctive and recognizable if you've been there and I believe the first set of pictures is at Ephrata Cloister (also a PHMC property). If anyone can identify the other locales, we'd love to hear from you.

Ephrata Cloister

Graeme Park

Unknown Location

Unknown Location

Fonthill Castle

Battle Reenactments, Living History Displays, Period Vehicles and Ceremonies to Honor WWII Vets all Part of WWII Weekend at Graeme Park

On May 2-3 the grounds of Graeme Park will be transformed into a World War II arena as reenactors set up living history displays and camps representing the WWII European Theater and stage battles between American and German troops on the property. 

The large event tent will be transformed into a venue for U.S.O. style entertainment including The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show, 

(See a short clip of the classic "Who's on First" from Fun-n-Sun, Lakeland, FL, March 2012)

the West Chester SwingKings performing favorites from the 1940s, 

(See a clip of their performance of Jump, Jive and Wail at Twin Brook Winery)

swing dance lessons, and a concert of Patriotic music.

Additionally there will be weapons demonstrations, period vehicles (military and non-military) on display, 

a simulation air craft brought in by the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, 

Allied and German camps, represented by the following reenactment groups:

Allied Units

35th Infantry Division Recon
45th Infantry Division
101st Airbourne 506th C E

5th Rangers

103rd Infantry Division

78th Infantry Division 309th Regiment

4th Infantry Division

88th Infantry Division

British Paratroopers

4th Armored Division

28th Infantry Division 109th Company L

30th Infantry Division MPs

1st Marine Division 5th Marines

German Units

45th Infanterie Division
352nd Pioneers

5th Fallschirmjagers

vendors, including:

Carl Koslo Productions

Charms

Classic Designs, Inc.

GI Kenny

The Knife Guy

Mark’s Militaria

Nomadés Collection

Picacho Peak Collectibles

Susquehanna Trading Company

veterans’ non-profits, World War II veterans, and a luminary ceremony and gun salute to honor the vets. State Representatives Tom Murt and Todd Stephens will be speaking at these honor ceremonies, along with Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker and Horsham Township Council Members Mark McCouch, President, Deborah Tustin, Vice President, and Gregory Nesbitt, Member.

This program is being presented by the Friends of Graeme Park, with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Sponsors for the event include PECOEnergy, Verizon, Black Horse Auto Body Shop, Babylon Business Campus, and ClassicPistol.

The cost is $12/day; $5/kids 13-17; free/veterans and kids 12 and under. A special household rate of $30/day is also available for two adults and accompanying children. Call 215-343-0965 for details. Directions are available on our website at www.graemepark.org 

SATURDAY, MAY 2

9:30 a.m. – Gates Open

Periodically throughout day – Tours of the Historic Keith House

9:30 - 4:00—Vendors & Displays—Visitors can tour Allied and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, meet and talk to WWII veterans, shop with vendors and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations and the services they offer.

10:00 a.m. – Flag Raising & Singing of the National Anthem—Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by Mimi Drummond

10:15 a.m. – Weapons Demonstration—Members of the American and German reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks. 

11:00 a.m.  – Camp Tours—Guided golf cart tours through the camps for those with difficulty walking the property.

12:00 noon – Battle Reenactment—Join us in the field behind the tent for a battle reenactment between American and German troops. Limited bleacher seating is first-come-first-served with some seats reserved for WWII Vets and handicapped/elderly.

12:45 p.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show—Bill Riley and Joe Ziegler transform themselves into Bud Abbott and Lou Costello through vintage dress and an authentic recreation of the team’s mannerisms and vocal stylings. They perform many of the vaudeville and burlesque routines made famous by Bud and Lou on stage, screen, radio and television, including the classic baseball routine, “Who’s On First?”. 

1:30 p.m. – Swing Dance Lessons—Vince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, PA, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience.

2:15 p.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show 

2:45 p.m. – Honoring of Veterans—State Representatives Tom Murt will speak briefly and honor the veterans and those 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.

3:15 p.m. – Battle Reenactment

3:45 p.m. – USO Dance and Swing Concert featuring the West Chester Swing Kings—Now that you know how to swing, put your feet in motion to the West Chester Swing Kings as they play hits from the 1940s through today, including favorites from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman.


SUNDAY, MAY 3
9:30 a.m. – Gates Open

Periodically throughout day – Tours of the Historic Keith House

9:30 - 4:00—Vendors & Displays—Visitors can tour Allied and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, meet and talk to WWII veterans, shop with vendors and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations and the services they offer.

9:30 a.m. – Church Service Reenactment—Reenactors will participate in a period battlefield church service.

10:00 a.m. – Flag Raising & Singing of the National Anthem—Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by Mickey Goldhaber.

10:15 a.m. – Weapons Demonstration—Members of the American and German reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks. 

11:00 a.m. – Camp Tours—Guided golf cart tours through the camps for those with difficulty walking the property.

11:00 a.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show—Bill Riley and Joe Ziegler transform themselves into Bud Abbott and Lou Costello through vintage dress and an authentic recreation of the team’s mannerisms and vocal stylings. They perform many of the vaudeville and burlesque routines made famous by Bud and Lou on stage, screen, radio and television, including the classic baseball routine, “Who’s On First?”. 

11:30 a.m. – Live Patriotic Music—A spirited concert of patriotic and military favorites by Mickey and Stanley Goldhaber.

12:30 p.m. – Swing Dance Lessons—Vince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, PA, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience.

1:30 p.m. – Military Honor Guard—State Representative Todd Stephens, Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker and Horsham Township Council Members Mark McCouch, President, Deborah Tustin, Vice President, and Gregory Nesbitt, Member will speak briefly, followed by a Military Honor Guard ceremony.

2:00 p.m. – Battle Reenactment—Join us in the field behind the tent for a battle reenactment between American and German troops. Limited bleacher seating is first-come-first-served with some seats reserved for WWII Vets and handicapped/elderly.

2:45 p.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show