Boalsburg Celebrates Memorial Day Where the Tradition was Born

Boalsburg is the birthplace of Memorial Day – one of them, anyway. As many as 20 communities boast the same distinction. But Boalsburg’s assertion is as good as any, and better than most!

The local observance began in 1864, when three women visited the cemetery in Boalsburg and placed flowers on the graves of family members – a Union Army surgeon who died of yellow fever during the Civil War and a private in the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment who was killed on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg the previous July. The women returned the following year and soon were joined by other community members in the commemoration ceremony.

Monday marks the 147th year Boalsburg will honor those who have gone before. “A Day in Towne” will feature music, food, historical re-enactments, museum tours, a race and more.

The schedule of events follows. More details are available here.

See our special Memorial Day page for more activities in the State College area and to enter our Memorial Day Tribute contest for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to The Gamble Mill Restaurant.

A Day in Towne

Monday, May 30

On The Diamond, Main and Church streets

• 8:30 a.m. – Blue Spring Park: “Run for Fun”

• 8–11 a.m. – Pies accepted for 28th annual Fruit Pie Contest

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Village shops open; sidewalk sales of crafts, foods, beverages; plant sale

• 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. – State College High School Jazz Band

• 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Little German Band featuring the Maypole Dance by the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop

• 1:15–2:15 p.m. – The Deacons of Dixieland

• 2:45–3:45 p.m. – The Screaming Ducks

• 4:15–5:15 p.m. – The Second Winds Jazz Band

• 5:45 p.m. – Walk to Boalsburg Cemetery from The Diamond

• 6 p.m. – Cemetery service (in the event of inclement weather, the service will be held inside St. John’s U.C.C.)

Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 E. Main St.      

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Museum open to the public

• 12:30 p.m. – Essay contest

• 2-4 p.m. – Dan & Galla

Harris Township Office, 224 E. Main St. (rear)

• 10 a.m. until supplies last – Ham and bean and vegetable soups, homemade bread sale

Boalsburg Cemetery, U.S. Route 322 and Church Street

• 6 p.m. – Service, Janice Sweet McElhoe, speaker

Boal Mansion Grounds, 300 Old Boalsburg Road

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Historical re-enactments: Hampton’s Legion Artillery 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Co. C.; Dan Lucas, 18th century surgeon, doctor and apothecary; Women of the Civil War period including Mary Todd Lincoln, by Linda Estupinan Snook

• Also, guided tours of the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum; Dominion Science Center, interactive art and science display; hand-made craft demonstrations and sales; food, drink and dessert booths, including an Amish food booth

• 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Civil War battle re-enactment between the Hampton’s Legion of the Confederacy and the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army on the pond field

• 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. – BMX ramp stunt show by the pond

Music on the porch of the Boal Mansion

• 9:30 a.m. – Coburn Brass

• 11 a.m. – Ellen Siberian-Tiger

• Noon – Christopher Kent

• 1 p.m. – Boal Awards ceremony

• 1:15 p.m. – “Not Frail Flowers: Six Pennsylvania Women Who Made a Difference,” presented by re-enactor Linda Estupinan Snook

• 2 p.m. – OverheaD

• 3 p.m. – “Mary Todd Lincoln” presented by Linda Estupinan Snook

• 3:15 p.m. – KCM

• 4:15 p.m. – Curbside Shenanigans

• 5 p.m. – Final cannonade by Hampton’s Legion Artillery

Boal Barn Playhouse, 197 Boal Estate Drive (at the Boal Mansion)

• 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Class Act Productions Presents “We Will Remember: A Tribute to Veterans” by Sandra Fenichel Asher. Tickets: $5 for adults, $3 for children under 13, free admission for veterans

Pennsylvania Military Museum, U.S. Route 322 and Boalsburg Pike

• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Allegheny Region Antique Automobile Club of America, pre-war and classic antique cars on the Shrine parade grounds

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Museum open for tours