Weekend re-enactment, talks recall ambush of Hanna's Town
In what may come as a disappointment to local members of the Kevin Costner Fan Club, the authentic American Indian wardrobes spotted in Hanna's Town this weekend are not here for "Dances with Wolves 2."Instead, the Indians, along with British soldiers and civilian loyalists, are part of a dramatic retelling of the 1782 demise of frontier outpost Hanna's Town in Hempfield.History buffs can join about 50 re-enactors this weekend as log cabins and taverns come alive on the Pennsylvania frontier in the waning days of the American Revolution.Although there will be no attacking Indians running out of the woods, visitors can get a glimpse of life on the Forbes Trail settlement up until the raiding Indians and British allies ambushed the town 225 years ago, said Rush Blady, who is helping to coordinate the eventHanna's Town will burn again -- this time in simulation.Daytime activities include the usual Saturday afternoon fare in a frontier town: log-cabin building, leather tanning and militia drills.When evening falls, special tours will show the huddled survivors in the fort, where different perspectives on the raid will be shared. Reservations are required for the evening tour and cost $7 -- or 70 shillings.Hanna's Town, founded in 1773 by Robert Hanna, served as the first county seat of Westmoreland and was the site of the first English court west of the Allegheny Mountains.The town's glory days were short-lived, though, when on July 13, 1782, a joined force of British troops and Indians burned the community -- killing two and capturing many more."The town never recovered from the attack," Blady said, and the county seat eventually was moved to what became Greensburg.Noteworthy cases from the pre-Bill of Rights, more stringent court will be on display this weekend."There was no transcript, so you have to guess who said what," said Lisa Hays, executive director of the Westmoreland County Historical Society.One noteworthy case promises the thrills that only a "horse theft" trial can deliver, especially because Black Beauty-bandit cases were treated "like grand-theft auto is today," said Joanna Moyar, education coordinator for the historical society.Offering another outlook will be three Seneca Indians from Salamanca, N.Y. They will answer questions and demonstrate customs of the Seneca lifestyle. Children's activities include joining an Indian scout and playing period games."The Senecas are our honored guests," said Blady, who will wear an authentic period ensemble -- featuring a smock, oval spectacles and buckle shoes.More than half of the participants in the re-enactment are local, Blady said, but some are coming from as far as South Carolina and Massachusetts.The group of homesteaders, makeshift soldiers and British foes will camp out at the site.Hays said she hopes the commemoration will draw attention to Hanna's Town, which she called "the missing link" in the Pennsylvania parade of forts and settlements.The 225th anniversary also will be marked by construction on a new log cabin for the historical site.Blady said participants plan to construct a cabin "based on Hanna's original deeds." The crew expects to finish only the walls of the structure, so they will "raise the roof" at a future event.