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1830's Washington's Birthday Celebration
Sunday February 18 • 12 noon-3 p.m. • Admission Free • Program at 1 p.m.
"One thought, one sentiment, a single impulse, appeared to move our population on Saturday. It was to render heartwarm homage to the Father of his Country." These words appeared in the Missouri Democrat on February 23, 1862 after a Washington's Birthday celebration in St. Louis the previous day. Throughout the history of the Untied States, men and woman have gathered to honor the man called the Father of Our Country. Even during Washington's own lifetime, celebrations of his birthday were quite common, although Washington himself did not approve of them, probably due to his own modesty. The Comte de Rochambeau wrote Washington on February 10, 1782, of his intention to give a ball the following day to celebrate the President's birthday. Washington, himself, replied on February 23 thanking the Comte for the honor.
There is some discrepancy as to the actual date of George Washington's birth. This is easily explained by the year in which he was born. Up until 1752, Great Britain and her colonies used the Julian Calendar making Washington's birthday February 11, 1731. However, when the Gregorian Calendar was adopted in 1752, Washington's birthday changed to February 22, the day we celebrate today. Although it was not until 1885, when President Chester Arthur signed a bill making Washington's Birthday federal holiday, celebrations of the day were recorded as early as 1796, the last full year of Washington's presidency.
Washington's Birthday had, by the early 19th Century, taken firm root in American culture as a national day of celebration. The traditions and celebrations of the day included speeches and receptions given by prominent local and national figures, fireworks and Birthnight Balls throughout the country with the taverns across the country filled with revelers celebrating the birth of the nation's hero as well.
Join us at the Historic Village at Allaire as we celebrate the birth of the Father of Our Country. Tour the homes of the Historic Village as the residents prepare for a Birthnight Ball and explain the customs of the time. Visit the home of the Howell Works Manager as the ladies of the household prepare authentic 19th Century Washington's Birthday Celebration recipes and learn why engravings of George and Martha Washington hang on the wall of the front parlor. Visitors can also listen to speeches and toasts given in honor of the First President at this family oriented event. Make it a point then to join the residents and employees of the Howell Works Company, at the Historic Village at Allaire, in marking the memory of our nation's Pater Patriæ, the "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."