Marble Orchard: Spirits of 1812

 

July 20 and 21 at 7 PM; July 22 at 2 PM
Hennepin Park Gazebo,

4th & Center Street, Lewiston, NY

 

Lewiston played an important role in the War of 1812 and its destiny was forever changed when it was burned to the ground in 1813. Hear dramatic and inspirational stories of the impact the War had on the lives of everyday people. The Marble Orchard Players bring history to life in the telling of these true stories that celebrate the pioneer spirit.
Free Event!
Here is a sneak peek of some of the stories you’ll hear...
• The pioneer family of Lemuel Cooke is credited with being the first white settlers to build a cabin in Lewiston in the early 1800’s. Lemuel was a surgeon during the Revolutionary War and his two sons, Lothrop and Bates inherited his patriotic spirit. They will recall their harrowing escape from the British and Mohawk invaders on December 19, 1813 when Bates was forced to shoot a Mohawk chief at point blank range to save his brothers’ life.
• Sparrow Sage built a home and tavern at the base of Indian Hill. When the Brits and Mohawks chased the residents out of their burning Village, the invaders stopped at his tavern. But his confrontations with the Mohawks were not over yet! When Sparrow returned to rebuild his life, he found that his tavern had been spared. But one day, his wife w as kidnapped by a drunken Mohawk causing Sparrow to ‘fly’ into a rage as he attempted to rescue her....
• You’ll meet Sacarissa, a venerable Tuscarora Chief, who went to Canada to plead for peace, and who is still honored today by the Lewiston Independent Order of Odd Fellows who named their lodge, in the Opera Hall, for him.
• The Gillette family will tell of the terror and tragedy their family suffered at the hands of the Mohawks.
• Catherine Hustler, who became famous for inventing the ‘cocktail’, will tell her version of the War of 1812 and we’ll introduce you to the

• Millar Family and the ‘Mudball Heros.”

 

Presented with grant support from Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the the Interior.

 

 

Here are some media clips from last summer's free perofrmace in Hennepin Park:

• Buffalo News: Town's Role in War of 1812

• Niagara Gazette: Characters of 1812 Coming to Life This Weekend

• Niagara Frontier Publications: Marble Orchard Brings History Home

Kudos and Comments on July 2011 performance:

BRAVO!!  Great job!  We enjoyed Spirirs of 1812 very much!  Poignant, hearbreaking, funny, moving.  And a nice touch including the British point of view.  How diffeent things might have been but for the actions of one stupid man.  I found the little orphan girl particularly touching.
Well done!      Pam, Historical Association of Lewiston

 

So looks like you had a great crowd, I had asked Wayne to take some pictures for me.  So when ILNY or anyone else asks what’s going on for 1812 – what is your plan for a schedule of performances?
Teresa Mitchell, Seaway Trail

 

Dear Eva, You are welcome again ... and again ... and again!
It was my pleasure to see you again, and I am happy we have met. Your Maple Orchard production was fabulous, and I am glad I was able to see at least the tiny tail-end of it. I, too, hope to see you again soon. I'll be on vacation for two weeks, but feel confident our paths will cross again soon after that. Peace, Richard   (Buffalo News Reporter)

"It was really wonderful! Everyone did such a great job, I had chills. Very moving"   

 

"Congrats to all of you for a job well done.  Your passion and hard work and overwhelming success is inspirational."

 

My wife and I attended Saturday's evening performance of "The Marble Orchard: Spirits of 1812", and we really enjoyed your collective perfomances. It is refreshing to attend something cultural, authentic right here in our own back yard. I enjoyed the efforts put forth by each of your characters, but the British soldier was the most convincing, and the stongest. The Chief was a colorful addition and provided a sense of awe: his brothers destroyed his home (in historical sense).

 

Congratulations on a great job! The younger actors should be very proud of their participation, as well.

I have been interested in the War of 1812 for many years, and actually began writing about it some years ago.For me, this performance, plus what I have seen in Canada (at Queenston Heights), Ft. Niagara, and what I have seen in the Niagara Falls Library in Ontario, and in the US. Please pass on our congratulations to all those involved. It was a great show, and we appreciate your hard work. Dennis and Carol Caisse, Lockport

 

Tim, Eva, Kathryn and all the performance cast of the Spirits of 1812,  What an amazing written presentation with the help of local historian, Michelle Kratts, you have created. Your characters came alive and captivated both the Saturday & Sunday crowds.  Thank you for another remarkable creation and classy program booklet. Claudia Marasco