Hearth cooking, spinning, blacksmithing and more colonial arts June 20 in old Fort Loudoun

FORT LOUDON >> Ever wonder how we ever survived without microwave cooking?

It wasn't easy. Learn how colonial women on the Franklin County frontier dealt with three square meals during the annual Colonial Day June 20 at the State Historic Site of Fort Loudoun, 1720 Brooklyn Road, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Linda Zeigler will return for the fifth year with her popular colonial cooking program in the log summer kitchen. She will present period hearth cooking, with historical information on the individual dishes and equipment used.

Jack Boggs will demonstrate his blacksmithing skills, and local artist Bev Sanders will demonstrate the spinning of flax on a flax wheel of colonial times. She will discuss the history of the flax industry, processing steps, fiber samples and other information. She will have samples of both raw and processed wool, shorn from the sheep she raises on her farm.

Another local artist, Virginia Christman, will demonstrate spinning with both wool and silk on her spinning wheel. She will also weave on a triangular loom.

An impressive collection of Allegheny Uprising movie posters and other items owned by Robin Houtz will be on display in the Patton House.

Daniel Grimes, author of two history books, will speak at 1, discussing the following topics: The causes of the French and Indian War, George Washington and the start of the French and Indian War, the makeup of the colonial militia and other forces, George Washington surrendering to the French at Fort Necessity, the Braddock Expedition and Braddock's defeat.

A re-enactment group, Kittattinny Associators, will be camped inside the fort stockade and will speak with visitor's about the fort's history.

Sandwiches, snacks and drinks will be available.

There is free parking and admission is free. The fort is located off U.S. 30 about 13 miles west of Chambersburg.