Storytelling, local song and dance traditions, and a living history presentation will highlight this year’s Night at the Museum event at the Beverly Heritage Center on November 2.
Harriet Tubman, a slave who escaped from captivity and became a leader of the Underground Railroad in the 19th century, will make an appearance at the Beverly Heritage Center at 6 p.m. Ilene Evans, from Thomas, will portray Tubman as part of the History Alive! program of the West Virginia Humanities Council. The program is free and open to the public and will include a presentation by Harriet Tubman, a discussion with the character, and conclude with a discussion with the presenter.
After the living history program, a benefit reception will follow at 7 p.m. with hearty hors d’oeuvres and beverages, storytelling, and music and dance performances. This portion of the event is ticketed and benefits the Beverly Heritage Center.
Attendees will enjoy the new tile floor in the Beverly Heritage Center gallery, which is a part of the ongoing development funded in part by events such as Night at the Museum. “We are so excited to have the floor finally complete,” said Phyllis Baxter of Historic Beverly Preservation. “This event will give everyone a chance to see the progress and support finishing the work on the Beverly Heritage Center.”
During the reception, Susan Krakoff and Matthew Kupstas, from Elkins, will be performing a crankie, a handmade scroll that tells the story of “Molly Bender” through fabric pictures. “We will sing a few songs with guitar and banjo, and there may even be a little flatfooting somewhere in there”, said Krakoff.
Additional stories and songs will be shared by Jane Birdsong, a ballad singer, actor, and storyteller from Elkins. A retired teacher, Birdsong now devotes most of her time to arts and oral traditions. Birdsong’s dramatic presentation will bring to life tales from nearby mountains and other rural traditions.
Beverly Heritage Center combines four historic buildings into one museum with regional Civil War and heritage exhibits, visitor information and gift shop. Operated by Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation and Historic Beverly Preservation, the Beverly Heritage Center winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday. The Beverly Heritage Center is located on the corner of US Rt. 219/250 and Files Creek Road in Beverly, 6 miles south of Elkins.
Advance tickets for Night at the Museum are available at the Beverly Heritage Center and cost $20, while at-the-door tickets are $25. For tickets or more information, call the Beverly Heritage Center at 304-637-7424, send an email to info@beverlyheritagecenter.org or visit www.beverlyheritagecenter.org.
