Ohio Trip - Day 1

First and foremost, we all had a great time at the Western Reserve Sampler Guild Retreat in Middleburg, OH.   What a great group of stitchers.   It was fabulous to see so many Zoom friends in person.   So much laughter.   So many awesome table gifts and door prizes.  And yes, there was stitching done.    

It was a 7-hour drive but we broke it up with some stops along the way.   I left my house Wednesday morning at quarter to o’dark-o’clock (5:45 am).   We drove in the rain almost all the way to Pittsburgh - 5 hours.   Our first stop Washington, Pennsylvania, we visited the John Bradford Home.   

John Bradford lived in Washington, PA.  He led the Whiskey Rebellion.   His home was built in 1788, Bradford lived here until 1794.  Following the collapse of the Whiskey Rebellion, he fled to Spanish West Florida.

I am always fascinated by the workmanship of the ornate woodwork.

One of the two original fireplaces in the home in what was their kitchen.

How long did it take to make a shirt?   Apparently a year and a day!  And to think, we get next day delivery!

There was a loom in the lady’s sewing room.   It is used by a volunteer who comes in weekly to weave.  It would not have been original to the house but is of the period.

Sewing room supplies

Beautiful quilt on the child’s rope bed.

Awesome coverlet on child’s bed.

Young girl’s sampler

Beautiful master bedroom with our guide Amy standing by.

Amy showed us the details of the fabulous man’s stitched waist coat from 1776.

Under the hacking flap/slanted pocket flap of the pockets the owner’s name was embroidered.

Layla, our downstairs guide, showed us the dining room.   Both our guides were really great and full of knowledge.    Layla told us the dining room was the more expensive of the house.   With the living, china, tea boxes, crystal, pewterware, etc. we could understand why.

Detail of the needlework on the dining table.

The parlor was used as a room to meet Mr. Bradford’s clients. As an attorney, he met many clients here.

Lovely moldings and trims in the parlor definitely to impress his guests.  The box in the foreground above is a cooler.  It is mahogany with a brass lining. 

Across the street was a museum dedicated to the Whiskey Rebellion.  In the late 1700’s whiskey was distilled and used as currency.   In the east, grains were grown and sold to distilleries.   In the west, which at the time was the western boundary of Pennsylvania, most had their own still and sold whiskey for profit.  

Below is a replica of what a still would have looked like.   The director and employees of the museum traveled to Mount Vernon to copy George Washington’s still.   Geo. Washington Rye Whiskey is still made using his 1788 equipment, method and recipe.

Alexander Hamilton, the first US Secretary of the Treasury drafted and proposed the excise tax on domestic whisky in 1791 to pay down Revolutionary War debts. 

In the west, the news of an excise tax was meant with disagreement.  A anti-tax resolution was send to Congress in 1792 which delegates hoped would have Congress reconsidering the excise tax.  In the east, many in the government still believed in a peaceful solution.   Congress did modifiy the act, reduced rates and allowed for monthly payments.    Payments were based on still capacity and not actual production.  The government only succeeded in further alienation of the western citizens. 

Hamilton viewed the rebellion as a challenge to national sovereignty and advocated the use of military force to establish authority.  The westerners felt it was a burden placed on them by the wealthier easterners and bankers.

The first time a sitting President led federal troops, Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion

Washington sent envoys to Western Pennsylvania to offer amnesty to the rebels for oaths of submission.  Many who had little involvement with the rebellion, took the oath and were issued certificate proving their allegiance.   

In July 1795, President Washington issued the first Presidential Pardons to two men (leaders?) involved in the Whiskey Rebellion.

Back in the car and onto Green, Ohio.   This was a very dangerous and equally overwhelming stop.  

What a beautiful store.  It was only surpassed by the fantastic staff at the store.   I really value good customer service and this was head and shoulders above good.   They must be used to reining in the googlely eyed overwhelmed customers.   So bright, to well laid out, so many models, so inspiring.

A bit of whimsy above and below.   The relish on the hot dog just cracked me up!

Just an awesome place to go and dangerous to the credit card was as well.  

Look at those sumptuous wool colors!!  I simply could not get them.  ;-). It may look like I did not show restraint but truly I did! 

We ended our travel day with checking into our hotel - Tru by Hilton/highly recommend them - then to Fatheads Brewery for dinner followed by a lovely drive through part of the Cleveland Metro Park - stellar green space with winding roads, trails, waterways and greenery.  A very different driving experience than the turnpike driving earlier in the day.   

Today for me will be unpacking, laundry and some flower bed time.

Thanks for stopping by and traveling along with me.   Part 2 of our trip coming soon.