Photos By Paul Purpura : ©2009 NCL Magazine : A pioneer demonstration at this weekend's Nelson Folk Life Festival at Pharsalia. Click on any image to enlarge.

Tyro
Nelson County, Virginia
The Nelson County Folk Life Festival continues Sunday in Tyro at the Pharsalia Plantation. This is the second time for the highly successful event last held in 2007. Our Paul Purpura came down off of the mountain Saturday afternoon and grabbed these images from the festivities.

A variety of crafters were on hand to demonstrate.

Wintergreen Winery & Devils Backbone Brewing were on hand.

Most of the participants are dressed in period costumes as they demonstrate to the public.

The weather was absolutely perfect on Saturday and predicted to be the same for Sunday.

People attending the festival look over the original kitchen and large fireplace at Pharsalia.

An old apple press is demonstrated.

People tour the original plantation home @ Pharsalia.

Pharsalia Plantation's original construction dates back to 1812.

Pharsalia is now in the hands of the fifth-generation Massie family.

Visitors are greeted by historical interpreters.

The festival offered two full days of events that continue on Sunday May 31st.

Free passes to attend will be distributed to all Nelson County area 4th and 5th grade students studying Virginia history. The passes will be distributed through the elementary schools.

The Festival will be co-hosted by The Rotary Club of Nelson County and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Morgan, the owners of Pharsalia. Proceeds from the Folk Life Festival will benefit various Nelson County organizations that depend on donations to continue their good works, and a donation will be made to Pharsalia for historical preservation of this historical site.

Directions to Pharsalia

Take I-64 East off of I-81 to Exit 99 towards Afton. Turn right on Route 250. At bottom of mountain, turn right on Route 151/Rockfish River Hwy. Go approximately 26 miles south on Route 151. Turn right on to Route 56 West (Crabtree Falls Hwy). Go 4 miles (NOT 2 miles) and proceed to the second Pharsalia Road sign (Route 680) just after crossing a bridge over the Tye River and turn left. Go 2 miles to Pharsalia on the right.

©2007-2009 NCL Magazine : Photos By Tommy Stafford : Actors portray centuries gone by at the 2007 Pharsalia Folk Life Festival. The 2009 event is this last weekend of May 30th & 31st

Tyro
Nelson County, Virginia
After two years of waiting, the highly successful Nelson County Folk Life Festival at Pharsalia returns this weekend for its second run. We covered the 1st event back in 2007.

A host of heritage tradesmen in period dress and contemporary craftsmen will be on hand to demonstrate and sell their many types of wares. There will be storytelling and children’s hands-on activities and games. A variety of foods of the time, and some to suit today’s tastes, will be available. Wintergreen Winery will offer wine tastings. Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company will have custom crafted beers on hand. Special music and historical performances will take place throughout the grounds. Mini-seminars will be offered on a variety of topics of the day including planting tobacco. Hewing logs and raising a log cabin will be demonstrated. There will be book signings by local authors. Transportation of the day will be on exhibit. The Festival will offer two full days of events to be long remembered. Many volunteers have pledged their time and talents to create an outstanding educational and historical event for the entire family.

Nelson Board of Supervisor, Allen Hale, (left) is dressed as an early settler at the 2007 festival.

The Nelson County Folk Life Festival will re-create life as it once was at Pharsalia with tours of the manor house and dependencies. Visitors will be greeted by historical interpreters portraying Pharsalia’s host, Mr. William Massie, Major Thomas Massie, as well as Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Mrs. Nelson, and the Town Crier, among others. Mrs. Massie will be there, as well, to be certain all her guests receive the finest hospitality. The Rotary Club of Nelson County and Pharsalia Plantation are partnering again this year to sponsor another Folk Life Festival.

Numerous crafters and musicians will be on hand.

The first Folk Life Festival at Pharsalia was held in 2007 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the county. Nelson County is noted for its Blue Ridge Mountains and rural scenic beauty, Crabtree Falls, Wintergreen Resort, The Waltons, and a slower, more serene lifestyle.

Gerald Boggs, owner of Wayfayer Forge in Afton, demonstrates at the 2007 event.

Free passes to attend will be distributed to all Nelson County area 4th and 5th grade students studying Virginia history. The passes will be distributed through the elementary schools.

The Festival will be co-hosted by The Rotary Club of Nelson County and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Morgan, the owners of Pharsalia. Proceeds from the Folk Life Festival will benefit various Nelson County organizations that depend on donations to continue their good works, and a donation will be made to Pharsalia for historical preservation of this historical site.

Directions to Pharsalia

Take I-64 East off of I-81 to Exit 99 towards Afton. Turn right on Route 250. At bottom of mountain, turn right on Route 151/Rockfish River Hwy. Go approximately 26 miles south on Route 151. Turn right on to Route 56 West (Crabtree Falls Hwy). Go 4 miles (NOT 2 miles) and proceed to the second Pharsalia Road sign (Route 680) just after crossing a bridge over the Tye River and turn left. Go 2 miles to Pharsalia on the right.

A Day to Remember, A Place to Enjoy

A Festival celebrating Folk Life and History of the early 1800s.

Includes music, food, tradesman, and demonstrations.
Presented by: Nelson County Rotary Club
and historic Pharsalia

Saturday & Sunday May 30th & May 31st

10am-5pm Daily

For information call

434-263-7015, 434-361-1055 or 434-361-0297
or
www.pharsaliaevents.com

DIRECTIONS:

From Lynchburg and points south: Take Rt.29 North turning left onto Route 151/Patrick Henry Hwy. Go approximately 10 miles turning left on to Rt. 56 West (Crabtree Falls Highway) towards Massie’s Mill. Go 4 miles Pharsalia Road (Rt.680) is a loop road. Take the SECOND LEFT on to Pharsalia Road just after crossing a bridge over Tye River. Go 2 Miles to Pharsalia.

From Charlottesville and points north: Take Rt.29, 5 miles south of Lovingston, turning right on Rt.56 Tye Brook Road. After ¾ of a mile turn right on to Roseland Road (Rt. 655). Continue for 5 miles coming to Rt.151/Patrick Henry Hwy. Turn left and take the immediate right on to Rt. 56 West (Crabtree Falls Highway) towards Massie’s Mill. Go 4 miles Pharsalia Road (Rt.680) is a loop road. Take the SECOND LEFT on to Pharsalia Road just after crossing a bridge over Tye River. Go 2 Miles to Pharsalia.

From Waynesboro/Staunton and points west: Take I-64 East off of I-81 to Exit 99 towards Afton. Turn right on Rt. 250. At bottom of mountain, turn right on Rt. 151/Rockfish River Hwy. Go approximately 26 miles south on Rt. 151. Turn right on to Rt. 56 West (Crabtree Falls Highway) towards Massie’s Mill. Go 4 miles Pharsalia Road (Rt.680) is a loop road. Take the SECOND LEFT on to Pharsalia Road just after crossing a bridge over Tye River. Go 2 Miles to Pharsalia.

Event Date: Saturday 30th of May 2009 10:00 AM

Location/Address: Tyro, Virginia

Contact Telephone Please call 434-263-7015, 434-361-1055 or 434-361-0297 for more information

This post was submitted by Jim Hall.