The logo of overflowing apple baskets surrounding a wagon reminded us of the pioneers who carried apple
seeds in their pockets to begin new settlements in the valley and the importance of the
Great Philadelphia Wagon Road,
the migration route which brought settlers to this area and beyond. Both symbols relate to
important industries in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Groves of apple trees line the country roads of Frederick County
for miles.
Winchester,
the center of the apple industry in the valley, is home to the annual
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
in May and the
Apple Harvest Festival
in September. From the 1790s to the 1850s
Stephensburg
(Stephens City)
was the center of the wagon making trade in Virginia.
Attendees heard the stories of early pioneers, the Civil War soldiers from both North and South, and the citizens
of today. They also heard the footsteps of folks walking through the valley and the sounds of wagon wheels rolling
along the ruts in the road. They were introduced to the spirits in the slave kitchen of the
Wayside Inn.
They listened to the
music of
Patsy Cline.
They tasted the delicacies of southern cooking. They imagined the beauty of the apple blossoms
in spring and savored the fall colors in September.
This section of the web site provides
context-setting reports
related to this celebration. Historical and genealogical reports provide background for the gathering.
These were previously printed in Volumes 13 and 14 of the Journal of Clan Ewing and are available online
here.
Other reports showcase places of interest which guests included in their visit to Virginia and
the Frederick County area. There are also
Tidbits
which enhanced the attendees' knowledge of the area.
