Voices of Yesterday
Historical reenactors, hosted by the Lewisville Historical Society, at Lewisville, NC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
Going Back in Time
During Lewisville’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, held on August 13, 2016, the Lewisville Historical Society hosted reenactors who, for a few minutes, took audiences back in time, more than 100 to 200 years. Standing near the Nissen Wagon Museum (located on the western corner of Shallowford Square), reenactors represented four men who long ago impacted the town of Lewisville.
Men of Renown
Who were those four pivotal men?
One man was Lewisville’s founder, Lewis Case Laugenour (portrayed above, top left). Another was J. Wilson Carroll (portrayed above, top right), who was hired as the principal of the newly formed Lewisville Academy in 1901. Then there’s Morgan Bryan (portrayed above, bottom left), a man whose family settled along the Yadkin River, just north of the Shallow Ford, before the Moravians settled in this area. We also heard from George Elias Nissen (portrayed above, bottom right), whose family manufactured a popular vehicle of transportation in the latter 1800s, the Nissen wagon.
Audio Clips and More Photos
TO HEAR AUDIO CLIPS and see MORE PHOTOS of these Historical Society reenactments, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK to HEAR AUDIO CLIPS and see MORE PHOTOS of the Historical Society reenactors
Day of Celebration
Letters from Home performers, Erinn Diaz (left) and Courtney Groves
The Place to Be
It was great to be back at Shallowford Square on Saturday, August 13, 2016 photographing Lewisville’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. While Lewisville was founded in 1859, visionary leadership from within the community led to the incorporation of the Town of Lewisville in 1991.
Last Saturday, the exuberance, sense of community and down-to-earth spirit I’ve long witnessed in my hometown were once again on full display. Though the August heat was strong, the heartbeat of our tight-knit community was stronger.
Photos…and More Photos
I hope you enjoy the following lineup of photos capturing some of the highlights of Lewisville’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. As time permits, I’ll roll out more photos, including audio of historical re-enactments and musical performances.
P.S. Many thanks to members of the Lewisville Fire Department — which had a medical assist area set up on the Square’s perimeter — for helping me deal with effects of the sweltering heat. You guys rock!
For MORE PHOTOS of Lewisville’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more photos of Lewisville’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
The Mill Turns 100!
Photos of Lewisville Roller Mills taken in the 1970s were stamped with a special commemorative postal stamp designed for the mill’s 100th anniversary.
A Big Celebration!
This past Saturday (October 16, 2010), Casanova’s Coffees & Fudge — now The Coffee Mill in Lewisville — hosted a party in honor of Lewisville Roller Mills’ 100th Anniversary. The mill was built in 1910 by J. P. Sprinkle and was purchased by my grandfather, Fielden H. Jennings Sr., in 1925. (An extensive photo history of the mill and the Jennings family can be found at Lewisville Roller Mills – One Family’s Story. The plural usage of the word “Mills” in the name “Lewisville Roller Mills” is also explained.)
Fun, Food, Music & More
With the backdrop of a beautiful fall day, the mill’s big 100th birthday bash ran from 1:00 till 4:00 p.m. at the site of Casanova’s Coffees & Fudge on the western end of the old mill building. The celebration also served as an opportunity to donate books and money to the Lewisville Library. In fact, three “gently used” books could be swapped for a FREE 1/4 lb. of chocolate fudge. What a delicious deal!
For MORE on the fun-filled celebration of Lewisville Roller Mills’ 100th Anniversary — including lots of PHOTOS — please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on the 100th Anniversary of Lewisville Roller Mills
Back to 1859
Members of the West Side Civic Theatre reenact the marriage of Lewisville’s founder, Lewis Case Laugenour, to Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Nissen in 1859. The onlooker in the foreground, dressed in period attire, looks as though he, too, could have stepped out of the 1800s.
Lewisville Celebrates 150 Years
On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Town of Lewisville, North Carolina celebrated its 150th anniversary with the Lewisville Sesquicentennial Celebration at Shallowford Square. Members of the Lewisville Historical Society had worked for more than a year on the celebration plans.
Despite the cloudy, cool weather, the celebration began at 11:00 a.m. with an old-fashioned vehicle parade, followed by a variety of activities, exhibits and tours until the celebration ended at 4:00 p.m. Some of the activities and exhibits included:
- Bluegrass music
- Brass band
- Square dancing
- Storytelling
- Wagon rides
- Post Office memorabilia & the 150th year commemorative stamp
- Genealogy and Lewisville history exhibits
- Poster and essay contest awards presented to local school children
- Nineteenth century craft exhibits
- Flower show
- Historic sidewalk tour
- Old-fashioned children’s games
The Big Wedding
The final and defining event of the day was the reenactment of the 1859 marriage of Lewis Case Laugenour to Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Nissen. The talented members of the West Side Civic Theatre gave a most engaging rendition of the marriage, complete with children and the sounds of brass music by the Brookstown Band. The cake and ice cream reception following the wedding put the finishing touch on the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
For more on Lewisville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration — including lots of PHOTOS — please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on Lewisville’s 150th anniversary
