Anthony Wayne Commemoration Days Under Way
Another bicentennial is being celebrated this week, one that's full of meaning on Erie's east side, if not widely known elsewhere. A week of events marking the 200th anniversary of the death of Revolutionary war hero "Mad" Anthony Wayne began Tuesday night with a dinner and dramatic reading at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home, E. 3rd and Ash Streets.
Wayne, who was born in Chester County, died in present-day Erie, then named Presque Isle, on Dec. 15, 1796. He died among his soldiers garrisoned at the blockhouse overlooking Presque Isle Bay, a replica of which now stands on the grounds of the Soldiers and Sailors Home. On Saturday, Dec. 14, a re-enactment group, Wayne's Legion of the United States, will travel to Erie to memorialize Wayne's death. Their commander, Capt. Patrick R. Riley, said the uniformed re-enactors will set up camp at the Wayne Blockhouse at about noon Saturday. Two guards will be posted at the entrance until the time of Wayne's death at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, when the re-enactors will fire a five round cannon salute.
Anthony Wayne Commemoration Days began Tuesday night with a seven-person narrative of Wayne's life, from an original script and produced by six Wayne Middle School teachers. For authenticity, the dinner guests ate a meal of 18th Century recipes catered by La Bella Bistro and the restaurant's owner, Harry Miller. On the menu were fowl and gammon, chutney, preserves and maple syrup. The celebration will continue Wednesday with a ceremony in Wayne Park dedicating a bronze-on-granite stone. It is a gift from the Wayne Park Adopt-A-Park Committee, the neighborhood volunteers who take care of the park. Henry Jones, who formed a fife-and-drum marching corps for the 1976 bicentennial, reformed the seven-member ensemble to perform Wednesday.
Wayne Middle School teachers and students were taking part in many of the events through Dec. 18, led by assistant principal Jan Woods. On display at the school will be photos, period pieces and uniforms made by Erie-area historical reenactor Jan McLaughlin and her late husband, Russ. Students will take the Heritage Trail, the historical tour narrated by Erie businesswoman Kitty Felion, on Dec. 12-13 and 17-18.