Three young girls whitewash the fence surrounding the Great War Garden. Children’s activities were provided throughout the day. Photos by Lisa Fay/The Connection
The rain did not keep Vienna residents from enjoying the Freeman Store and Museum’s Vintage Market on Saturday, Sept. 8. Local vendors gathered on the Town Green to sell their vintage items, jewelry and local produce, including Caffè Amouri, Great Harvest, Maple Ave Market and Consignment Boutique.
“For many years Historic Vienna Inc. hosted two appraisers who offered their expertise to the public,” said Nancy Moats, vice president, Historic Vienna Inc. “After a lapse in offering this service and a fundraiser for Historic Vienna, we contacted three appraisers who agreed to generously offer time and expertise. Our public was totally enthused and our appraisers did not disappoint. In tandem with offering appraisals, we decided to invite our local Church Street neighbors and merchants to join us on the lawn to celebrate our great small town of Vienna,” said Moats.
Demonstrations included local yarn spinner Kristin Hannah and Northern Virginia Beekeepers while the Northern Virginia Daylily Society sold local flowers. There were many family friendly activities provided like corn hole, hoops, a scavenger hunt and white washing the Great War Garden fence located next to the Little Library. Photo opportunities were available with vintage props and costumes and with Vienna’s own Michael Bosworth, who constructed a World War I-inspired motorbike. “I used a modern Honda engine,” said Bosworth.
Bluegrass music was played by local band Hickory Grove featuring Jack and Bev Osburn. The Freeman Store sold vintage books from its vast book collection while upstairs local appraisers inspected items brought in by the public.
“I think we succeeded in attracting new people to our museum and store, which is always one of our goals,” said Anne Stuntz, President of Historic Vienna Inc. “I enjoyed the spirit of the event, observing everyone savoring a reminder of simpler times.” added Moats.