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There’s an h in that whig
With the presidential election days away, Bayou Bend is recreating the heady days of the young democracy —for an afternoon.
Its inaugural Old New England Election Day runs 1-5 p.m. Nov. 2 at Bayou Bend, One Westcott St. The event will become a tradition to be held every four years.
Early in our country’s history, citizens were so excited about presidential elections that they celebrated for two or three days with parades, sermons, singing and an Election Cake. Bayou Bend’s 21st century event captures the spirit of this unbridled revelry in the democratic process, but has compressed it into an afternoon.
Historical re-enactors will preside over the day’s events. Here’s some of what’s planned:
A stump speech delivered by the minister extolling the virtues of voting rights.
Casting ballots for election slogans, which will be tallied using the typical Old New England method of counting corn and beans. Winners announced at 4:30 p.m.
Early American games of Quoits (a precursor to horseshoes) and Jackstraws (similar to pickup sticks)
Musical performances by Dennis Heckathorne and Co.’s fife and drum corps and by the Sideshow Tramps.
Election Cake.
A replica of a “Whig Ball.” The large, canvas-covered balls, typically eight-feet in diameter, were adorned with a candidate’s name and rolled from town to town to raise awareness. William Henry Harrison used such a ball in his successful 1840 election against incumbent Martin Van Buren, which resulted in the popular phrase “keep the ball rolling.”
For information, call 713-639-7759 or visit www.mfah.org/bayoubend.
Its inaugural Old New England Election Day runs 1-5 p.m. Nov. 2 at Bayou Bend, One Westcott St. The event will become a tradition to be held every four years.
Early in our country’s history, citizens were so excited about presidential elections that they celebrated for two or three days with parades, sermons, singing and an Election Cake. Bayou Bend’s 21st century event captures the spirit of this unbridled revelry in the democratic process, but has compressed it into an afternoon.
Historical re-enactors will preside over the day’s events. Here’s some of what’s planned:
A stump speech delivered by the minister extolling the virtues of voting rights.
Casting ballots for election slogans, which will be tallied using the typical Old New England method of counting corn and beans. Winners announced at 4:30 p.m.
Early American games of Quoits (a precursor to horseshoes) and Jackstraws (similar to pickup sticks)
Musical performances by Dennis Heckathorne and Co.’s fife and drum corps and by the Sideshow Tramps.
Election Cake.
A replica of a “Whig Ball.” The large, canvas-covered balls, typically eight-feet in diameter, were adorned with a candidate’s name and rolled from town to town to raise awareness. William Henry Harrison used such a ball in his successful 1840 election against incumbent Martin Van Buren, which resulted in the popular phrase “keep the ball rolling.”
For information, call 713-639-7759 or visit www.mfah.org/bayoubend.
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