x
  1. Home
  2.  Entertainment

Celebrating Zane Grey Day

| 29 Jul 2015 | 12:31
    Photos by Anya Tikka The intriguingly titled 'Ring of Fire' featured a demonstration of how Steam Engines and other locomotives function and are maintained.
    Photos by Anya Tikka The intriguingly titled 'Ring of Fire' featured a demonstration of how Steam Engines and other locomotives function and are maintained.
    Entrance to Zane Grey Museum.
    Entrance to Zane Grey Museum.
    Young visitors enjoyed 'panning for gold' in National Park Service's stand.
    Young visitors enjoyed 'panning for gold' in National Park Service's stand.
    Pelts on display at the Lenape Nation's stand.
    Pelts on display at the Lenape Nation's stand.
    River safety instruction drew many visitors.
    River safety instruction drew many visitors.
    Woodland Spinners and Weavers at work demonstrating these ancient skills.
    Woodland Spinners and Weavers at work demonstrating these ancient skills.

LACKAWAXEN — The hot, sticky day didn’t prevent the crowds from exploring the world of Zane Grey, the famous Western novelist who lived in the area from 1905 to 1918. It’s said the nature around his house where the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers meet inspired him in his chosen genre. He was an avid hunter and fisher.

The scorching heat on Saturday, July 18, didn’t deter the Steamtown Museum’s “Ring of Fire” demonstration either, although they had to stand close to the added source of heat. Visitors were impressed, although many took steps away from the fires in the open field under the hot sun.

Panning for ‘gold’ was a popular kids’ activity, although the National Park Service volunteer manning the stand cautioned her young visitors, “It’s not real gold, but don’t tell anyone!”

Lenape Nation’s Shelley DePaul explained about the history of the Lenape Nation who had a large settlement in the spot hundreds of years ago. She was there to inform people of the history and culture of the Lenapes, and animal pelts, drums, beads, and clothing lined up her stand. She said contrary to what some may think, many members of the Lenape Nation stayed behind and intermarried with the local settlers, most of whom were of German descent, she explained.

Zane Grey Museum was open for the day for the permanent exhibits that depict Grey’s life.

The Steamtown Ramblers and the Delaware Valley Opera provided live music.

Among exhibitors were the 143rd New York State Voluntary Infantry in period clothing, in remembrance of the Civil War.

National Park Service who is in charge of the site and museum provided entertainment for the visitors, who could pan for ‘gold’, explore spinning and weaving techniques, dance the Native way with the Lenape exhibit, or learn about river safety, ecology, and try arts and crafts.