8/6/14 Test your knowledge of Fredericksburg history at the annual Crawford Street Picnic

  • By Nick Sabo
  • August 6, 2014
  • 380
                        
SUMMARY: Annual neighborhood event will feature local history quiz. Fredericksburg history buffs can test put their knowledge to the test Aug. 16 at this year’s Crawford Street Picnic. The annual picnic, held at the Gary and Dawna Sands residence at 197 Crawford Street, will begin with a multiple choice quiz on Fredericksburg history. After the quiz, and introductions are given all around, everyone can enjoy the food and conversation. The idea for the picnic came about a few years ago, when life-long Fredericksburg resident Gary Sands came up with an idea to get to know his neighbors better. At first, the picnic was for past and present Crawford Street residents. In the last two years, Sands added “and everyone else” to the invitations. “There were a lot of people moving into the street and I wanted to know my neighbors,” Sands said. “Then, there were others who wanted to come, and being in a small town, you try to please everyone.” The picnic is a family friendly event for all ages. “It’s like a big family reunion,” Sands said. “The kids run around and everyone is talking about everything and anything. Basically, it’s just people catching up with each other.” Sands grew up on Crawford Street, and ended up purchasing the house right next door to the one he grew up in. The quiz will be drawn up from a book on Fredericksburg in Sands’ possession. Sands suggests a little boning up on Fredericksburg history, both past and present. Prizes will be given following the quiz. Studying Fredericksburg history from scratch to get ready for the quiz would be quite an undertaking. The town is almost 200 years old, dating to the first quarter of the 19th century. A thriving town at the beginning of the 20th century, Fredericksburg had 511 residents and boasted a hardware store, general stores, flour and planing mills, and a diverse number of church congregations, according to a history of Wayne County published in 1910. It was later home to a novelty pottery works, pieces from which are starting to be recognized in the collectibles market. Crawford Street itself has its own history, with Mrs. Miller’s Homemade Noodles sitting at the beginning of the street in town. The street connects Fredericksburg with Holmesville. Fredericksburg remains a lively town to this day, with restaurants, stores and a school. A hint for the quiz from Sands - take a look at the town’s modern history as well. The picnic is also about the history of the people who live, and have lived, on Crawford Street. At a previous picnic, Sands asked his neighbors to share something about themselves that may be new even to the people who have known them for years. Sands said the breadth of the stories was surprising: He learned that a neighbor he was long acquainted with has a twin, and that another neighbor had grown up in the county children’s home. The picnic begins at 5 p.m. Attendees should bring a covered dish and a lawn chair; drinks will be provided. For more information, contact Gary or Dawna Sands at 330-695-4272. KUTLINE: Nick Sabo photo If you’ve ever called Crawford Street in Fredericksburg home, or are interested in Fredericksburg history, then mark your calendar for the annual Crawford Street Picnic. This year, the picnic will open with a quiz on Fredericksburg history.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load