Colorful.
The final, and perhaps most unique, event of the day was a Civil War Ball where most participants dressed in period clothing, or pretty close to it.
Traditional music was performed by the Susquehanna Travelers and dancers were instructed by a professional “caller”. Even though many participants had been to such balls before, the complexity of the dances required someone to explain and guide the dancers through.
The most interesting element of the dance was its contrast to dances of today. Partners didn’t dance in couples. In this era, they split into small groups and the entire room danced together, partners splitting and moving on to dance with every other partner in the room, all the dancers working together to make the dance a success as they moved in patterned steps through reels and trots. When everyone finally has the steps it’s amazing to watch the entire room move as one, lovely hoop-skirted dresses swirling, gentlemen stepping lively.
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- Maggie and Diane in their ball gowns.
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- Colorful dresses during a break in the dancing.
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- Maggie Forbes, ACFL&MH Executive Director; Rick D’Loss, Board Member; Diane Klinefelter, Library Director; Jack Kobistek, Carnegie Mayor.
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- Not exactly period dress, but pretty.
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- Heather calls the steps for one of the dances as everyone watches.
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- Lining up for the Virginia Reel.
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- Healther Nichols calling the dances
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- Four ladies in pretty dresses—those old seats weren’t made for hoop skirts.
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- The room moves together for one of the dances.
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- The Susquehanna Travelers.
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- Maggie, Rick, Diane, Jack and a visitor lead the Grand March.
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- All holding hands for the Grand March.
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- Heather positions couples into groups for one of the dances.
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- Honoring yourdancing partners.
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- Colorful.
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- Diane Klinefelter with a photographer who had built a replica wooden box for his digital camera, and his daughter.
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- Two friends in hoop skirts hold a conversation.
