We Make History: The 2008 Old Virginia Harvest Ball

The Old Virginia Harvest Ball

Autumn has arrived. Leaves are turning to gold as are the late afternoon rays of the October sun. The harvest is in and thoughts turn toward celebration and the enjoyment of friendly company. Virginia Hospitality will be in full swing as friends begin to gather...

With a centuries' old tradition of friendly hospitality is it any wonder then that “The Old Dominion” as she is fondly known has a longstanding reputation among her sister states as the leader in grace, manners, hospitality and gentility?

Some would say that the height or near perfection of the grace and gentility of Virginia were to be best experienced in the antebellum years. Perhaps this is so. The thesis is certainly intriguing and we think well worth earnest exploration through means of The Old Virginia Harvest Ball!

What to Expect: This We Make History's second Ball in Virginia as we continue in our mission of expanding family-friendly, historical education and socialization to our friends on the East Coast. The Old Virginia Ball this past April was a wonderful success and so we return now with a similar theme for our new friends - and their friends - to enjoy. Be prepared to step back in time to Old Virginia circa the decades of the 1840s - 1860s. We will utilize simple (but lively) historic dances, do some instruction and then teach as we go. Light refreshments will be served.

When: The evening of Saturday, October 25th, 2008 a social hour shall begin at 6 in the evening and include basic dance instruction. (Please do attend our social hour!) The Ball shall commence at 7 and end about 11.

Where: The Purcellville Skating Rink at 250 S. Nursery Ave. in Purcellville, Virginia. Purcellville is in Loudoun County, a little west of Leesburg. (This historic structure was built over a century ago for use as a tabernacle for evangelical meetings and has hosted such great preachers as the famous Billy Sunday. More recently this spacious facility has been used for roller skating, dancing and church services.)

Music & Dance: Expect live musicians treating us to lively tunes of the early to mid nineteenth century. We shall teach you some of the simple dances which were beloved by our ancestors. Don't worry, we are very "first-timer-friendly" and you will be enjoying yourself in no time! We'll even have a few of our friendly experienced members of the We Make History Family from Arizona along with us to help ... as well as numerous local veterans of our recent Old Virginia Ball.

Fashion: We recommend either (a) civilian or military attire as per the mid nineteenth century (circa 1850-1865) or (b) modern evening or business attire such as long dresses for ladies and tuxes, suits (or at least jacket, slacks and tie) for gentlemen.
(Regarding historic attire, We Make History emphasizes the historic social graces of ladies and gentlemen rather than "stitch counting". Ladies and gentlemen were expected to exemplify character qualities such as courtesy, respect, grace and a desire to uplift and encourage. Thus we are sincerely welcoming of all attempts at recreating historic attire or an historic look. :o) ... And YES, you are also VERY WELCOME to come participate, dance and enjoy in nice modern clothes!)

Ages: As per common historic standards ages 13 and up are welcome with those younger (perhaps 8 to 12) being also welcome if their parents judge them to be of sufficient maturity. (Our experience suggests that some from ages eight to twelve are socially mature and have sufficient manners, focus and interest while others are not quite ready.)

Passes: For this friendly and intimate evening of historic fashion, manners and dance (and an opportunity to build upon our fast-growing list of new friends and acquaintances in Virginia) we request a contribution of $25 each. (Families of six or more who need a discount may contact us.) You may mail a check (made out to We Make History) with your name, address, email address and the number of passes requested to We Make History, P.O. Box 12874, Scottsdale, Arizona 85267. Alternatively you may make use of the PayPal link below.

All requests for advance passes must be received no later than Tuesday, October 14th. Your passes will be mailed to you. Beyond October 14th we will offer passes at the Ball (if there is still room) for which we will request $30 each.

Please note that a small additional fee applies to PayPal transactions to cover PayPal expenses, postage, etc.

Communications: Send us a note here to begin receiving Virginia related We Make History updates!

The Future...

We would like to look at expanding from our beginning with the Old Virginia Ball (April '08) and Old Virginia Harvest Ball (October '08) by possibly adding a Regency Ball, an 18th Century Ball and a variety of family-friendly historic activities as annual events in Virginia! Plans are already under way for the Spring of '09...

Our friends in Virginia can help by...

1) Spreading the word! 2) Letting us know of good venues (anywhere in VA or vicinity) which could be rented for an historic ball 3) Identifying someplace to use as a base for lengths of time ranging from a couple of weeks to a couple of months or more as we make return visits to build We Make History locally.

See a few of our many Historic Ball pages here.

Her Majesty's Ball George Washington's Birthday Ball The Civil War Ball The Cavaliers' Ball The Highland Ball The Pride & Prejudice Ball The Victorian Christmas Ball

See our We Make History Virginia Page and send us a note here to begin receiving Virginia-related We Make History updates!

So, you'd like to wear Historic Attire?

Gentlemen choosing historic attire may opt for civilian styles or Civil War era uniforms. Simplicity's "Fashion Historian" line has patterns for shirt, civilian vest, civilian trousers and cravate. Interested parties may also contact us for information as to where civilian frock coats or military uniforms may be purchased at reasonable cost. Please also see this page.

For ladies desiring to sew historic style ballgowns there are a number of patterns available. Most historic lines assume a certain level of aptitude. But for novices in this arena the "Fashion Historian" line mentioned above is an excellent choice offering patterns for gowns, corsets, chemises and pantalets. They also offer a pattern for a hoopskirt - which is quite a project. An alternative is to purchase a hoopskirt (flounced is preferable but not necessary) from a wedding supplier. For advice on sizes of hoops as well as general information on ladies' clothing of the era please see this page.

House Standards for "We Make History" Balls

We are grateful to our wonderful guests who make the effort with us to create a special ambience and atmosphere of respect. We uphold these standards out of regard for our much-appreciated friends and for the sake of the integrity of our events.

1. The use of either tobacco or alcohol is prohibited.

2. Videotaping is not welcome other than by our house videographer. We work hard to create a special and comfortable historic ambience that all will enjoy. Discreet photography is welcome but please leave video equipment at home.

3. No unauthorized distribution of literature is allowed. Nor is this event an opportunity to recruit persons for purposes either modern or historical. Please allow all of our guests to enjoy the evening in peace. That is why they came.

4. These are historic balls and we ask that even those dressed modern conform to certain historic standards. All clothed in modern attire must be at least at an "evening" or semi-formal level. Modern gentlemen need to be wearing tuxes, suits or at least jacket and slacks. As per historic standards, jackets and ties need to be on at all times. Modern ladies should wear long gowns, preferably at or near ankle length - not short dresses or skirts and blouses.

5. Appropriate footwear is required. (i.e. historic footwear, dress shoes, dancing slippers, ballet flats, etc.) Please no sandals, flip-flops or athletic shoes. For the sake of your safety as well as event ambience dancing barefoot is impermissible.

6. We ask that one not enter to be an observer, chaperone or curiosity seeker without obtaining a pass and being properly attired.

7. Please either order advance tickets by the publicized cut-off date (in time to be mailed back to you) or be prepared to obtain your tickets at the door (if available) for a higher amount. These events are publicized far in advance in order to serve you well. They do sometimes fill up early.

8. We do not offer refunds or exchanges.

9. Our standard age policy is that ages 13 and up are welcome to participate and that younger ages (generally 8 to 12) may also participate if parents deem them to be sufficient in manners and maturity. The dress standards for young ladies and gentlemen are the same as those for adults. (Please see #4 above.)

10. Gracious and respectful conduct & conversation are expected of all, to all and at all times.

11. We desire to be good stewards of the facilities we use, to treat them with care and to leave them in at least as good of condition as when we arrived.

12. For the good of all, any who might consider themselves exempt from any of the above may be asked to leave.

Please also see our “Etiquette & Expectations” page as well as our "All About Us" page.