By Stephen Smoot
At the nexus of Heritage Weekends enjoyed in the past and anticipated this fall and years to come was the annual dinner of the Hardy County Tour and Craft Association. During this yearly event, the history and traditions of Heritage Weekend are celebrated while planning and promotion for next fall’s and years after commence.
Attendees gathered under cool late spring late afternoon skies. The line started to form well before doors opened at six with lively chatting and socializing already starting. Once inside, they could select from cookies and fruit at an hors d’oerves table.
Situated in and around the food offering was a broad variety of different teas to sample. These were included as an homage to the addition of a Heritage Weekend tea event last fall.
The approximately 70 members and supporters of the association who came to Duffey Memorial Church that evening in Moorefield came to honor those “who dedicated their time and efforts in making Heritage Weekend a special event.”
To welcome all, Executive Director Kriston Strickler opened with “I want to thank you all for coming out. It’s wonderful to see all the friends, family, and familiar faces.” She then listed and thanked the sponsors of the 72nd annual Heritage Weekend last fall. “We are so appreciative of your generosity,” she shared.
Strickler also shared the organization’s gratitude for participating homeowners. “It’s no small thing,” she said, for those residents to take the time to clean and otherwise prepare their houses to receive visitors over a weekend. Then came praise for the Camp Association and then the volunteers, of whom she stated “your dedication and hard work make the whole weekend possible.”
Throughout the Fellowship Hall stood visual reminders of Heritage Weekends past. These included beautifully designed tiles featuring historic Hardy County homes, programs from past years’ events, and signs promoting the community remembrance of history and celebration of tradition.
Referencing that past, Strickler described the very beginnings of the organization. It emerged almost three quarters of a century ago. In 1953, it organized to raise money for the library by creating an event of “neighbors opening the doors of their homes.
Over the decades, that mission has expanded considerably. Strickler explained that as “traditions get pushed aside . . . it can be challenging to keep up those kinds of events” but “passing on our history is worth the effort.”
Pastor Mark Flynn then offered the blessing of the dinner, praying “we thank You for the heritage of our community.”
Grillin Times provided a sumptuous dinner of roasted pork, creamy scalloped potatoes, and green beans. Attendees could get a dinner roll and choose from a broad selection of baked desserts. Strickler said “they always do a great job.”
After time for eating and more fellowship, the business of the evening took place. Strickler announced the addition of new historical structures to explore in 2026. These include the Weese Home, Toll Gate School, and the 4H Camp, adding to “the opportunities to learn history and tradition.”
She then noted some of the highlights of 2025, such as Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren inviting the public to an old fashioned campfire storytelling session. Attendees there relate stories from local history, folklore, and other sources. A fiddle and banjo contest packed the house as competitors shared their renditions of traditional music.
History Alive actors portraying Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Mary Todd Lincoln, and Abigail Adams brought a different touch of the past to the event. Strickler also described how reenactors thrilled audiences in their presentation of a battle in Moorefield Town Park that even spilled into the streets.
Strickler also mentioned a youth “passport” program that provided opportunities for those who attended 10 or more events to win prizes.
With all of that success, Strickler tempered the enthusiasm a bit with the admission that “we are struggling,” then added “these are hard times. We will do the best that we can.” One of the key issues facing the organization lies in its small Board of Directors.
It added Jennifer Strawderman from Hardy County Schools, but Strickler stated “it takes a lot of Board members” to help organize it. She requested that anyone interested in joining let them know and then asked for ideas on what could help to make the event even better.
Peggy Wright, president of the organization, then took the podium.
She asked the group “who all here has been to 4H or some other camp at Camp Pinnacle?” to which a vast majority of attendees raised their hands. She shared memories of the camp over the years and what it was like to go. “I’m glad to see so many people in this area” who have memories of it,” she stated.
Next came the announcement of the house selected for this year’s commemorative tile, the Friddle House. According to the Facebook site Oh, For the Love of a House, “Robert A. and his wife, Gelia M. Wilson built this lovely two story, white wood frame house as a wedding present for their son Robert Cleland and his bride Pauline Williams in 1914.”
It was modeled on the home of the parents, a blue Victorian on Main Street, “but with less of the Victorian ornamentation.” Wright explained that it “reflected their success and the style of the day.”
Next came photos of the Board and officers with a throw donated by Jeff Fraley as well as the image of the Friddle House that will grace the tiles.
Finally came the awarding of grants. Four awards of $1000 a piece went to the McClanahan Battery of Civil War tradition keepers and reenactors, Traditions of Technology, the Lost River Educational Foundation, and, in honor of the organization’s original mission, the fourth went to Hardy County Library.
