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Activities in Old Springboro
Hidden
Hill is actively involved in special events in Springboro. This town was founded in 1815 by Quakers
and remained a small cross-roads town until the 1970's when Springboro's
convenient location brought upscale development to the area. During the early 1900's, however, the
old town remained so unchanged that 6 blocks of South Main Street are now
listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as being typical of a
small mid-western village. Only a
few buildings from the 20th century share this space; most are from the
1800's. Hidden Hill occupies an
elegant red brick, Queen Anne building, dating from 1873.
This
historic district hosts 2 festivals each year. "Christmas In Historic Springboro" takes place the
weekend before Thanksgiving, November 22, 23 and 24 in 2002. It is sponsored by the Springboro Area
Historical Society and is meant to serve as a small-town Christmas
celebration. South Main Street is
beautifully decorated and the many small shops encourage Christmas shopping
with old-fashioned friendliness.
Musical groups entertain along the street and in the shops. Horse-drawn carriages and hay rides
transport visitors the length of the street. Saturday features a parade, and all 3 days have lots of good
food available.
The
second event, Springboro's Freedom Festival, is held in May each year, the
weekend before Memorial Day weekend, May 18 and 19 in 2002. This is even more historic in
nature. It celebrates Springboro's
Quaker heritage and its involvement with the Underground Railroad. The atmosphere is meant to be that of
the town in the mid to late 1800's, focusing on the end of the Civil
War. Many of the shop owners wear
period garb and are happy to tell you about their find old buildings. The Historical Society conducts walking
tours, pointing out and telling the story of the houses which were
Underground Railroad depots, or safe-houses (Springboro has 15, many along
South Main Street). Again, there is
appropriate music and food, and along the street artisans will show you how
they make items which would have been daily necessities at that time,
candles, soap, woven cloth, carved wooden items, etc.
A
group of historical re-enactors, representing a Union Army troop, is
encamped near the center of town and will show you what army life was like
in 1863. Also in town are 2 other
groups of re-enactors, a family of run-away slaves, pursued by bounty
hunters, intent on returning them to their masters. This drama is played out among the
visitors, reaching a climax as the slaves seek safety in the army
camp. It is an educational weekend
as well as being entertaining. We
at Hidden Hill are proud to have been a part of the organizing committees
of both festivals from their beginnings.
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