First sign of fall in our area starts with overnight temperatures dropping to 50 degrees….turn on the heat….check the woodpile…order another cord if needed…..leaves have started to drop every day on the green lawns and on our property at Gibson House Manor Museum in Jamestown, PA. And if you are not sure fall is here, check the signs for “Jamestown Fair coming week after Labor Day.” Signs are everywhere, the Fair Books are stacked inside restaurants and offices and we are almost at the end of Fair Week! Check out the barns, the blue-ribbon winners in the school, the rides, the vendors and maybe see some of your neighbors!!
During Fair Week self-guided tours of the Manor are $12 (normally $20 for guided tours) and we are still serving “fun” coffees/chai and lovely sandwiches and treats. We will be open early this Saturday while the parade is assembling around us and in our rear parking lot (9 am to 1 pm) until the parade begins promptly at 1 pm. It’s a fantastic parade and fair. Hope you can join us.
Also in September we have our standing four community events—our International Dinner on Saturday night, September 20th from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm features a really fun Fondue party to celebrate Switzerland! See our historic Swiss slide show produced by our history intern, Abby Evans, and listen to great music (yodeling permitted). Reservations easy to get by calling Kathy at 724.456.4983.
Here are our other updates for September events:
Sept 1 through Sept 30: (Every day) Gibson House Manor, Jamestown PA: Quilted Layers: Piecing Together History — Self-guided tour, starts anytime between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Cost: $12 Adults / $8 Children 6 to 12 / Children under 6 free. The quilt exhibit explores quilts as more than decorative textiles-they are layered stories stitched by hand. From early American patchwork to Colonial Revival designs, each quilt reveals the lives, traditions, and voices of its maker. Through pattern, fabric, and form, these works offer a rich, tactile journey through history, memory, and handicraft. No reservation is required.
Sept 6: (Saturday) Gibson House Manor, Jamestown PA: Historic Preservation Jamestown Fair Parade tented booth in front of Manor, breakfast sandwiches, hash browns, pastries, hot coffee and lunch sandwiches, beverages 9 am to 1 pm. Information about Underground Railroad Tours inside the Manor all morning. Gift shop open from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. (Parade begins at 1 pm in front of our building). Streets blocked at about 12:50 pm.
Sept 20: (Saturday) Gibson House Manor, Jamestown PA: International Night Dinner – featuring cuisine from Switzerland: Swiss dinner night at the Gibson House! Join us at 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm for a taste of traditional Swiss cuisine.
Appetizers:
- Artisan Charcuterie Boards: A delightful spread featuring a curated selection of creamy and firm cheeses, savory cured meats, and freshly baked breads, accompanied by tangy cornichons and roasted vegetables.
- Stuffed Olives and Hot Stuffed Mushrooms: A flavorful medley of briny stuffed olives and hearty, warm mushrooms, bursting with savory fillings.
Main Course: “family-style” feast centered around two distinct fondue experiences at each table. Guests will share:
- Swiss Potato Pancakes: Golden and crispy Swiss potato pancakes, served alongside a rich and earthy mushroom risotto.
- The Fondue Experience: Freshly prepared vegetables, including zucchini, sun-ripened tomatoes, tender mushrooms, and delicate tiny potatoes, accompanied by succulent pre-cooked and spiced steak, chicken, and pork bites. Guests can delight in the interactive experience of dipping their chosen items into bubbling hot oil fondue for the meats and a rich cheese fondue for both meats and vegetables, creating a personalized culinary adventure.
- Fresh Garden Salad: A crisp green salad, featuring the finest seasonal greens and vibrant vegetables.
Dessert:
- Chocolate Fondue Experience: Indulge in the sweet and comforting experience of a chocolate fondue, featuring an assortment of luscious strawberries, sweet cantaloupe, mixed berries, ripe bananas, and delicate squares of pound cake, perfect for dipping.
- European Delights: A decadent selection of sweet pastries, including light and airy cream puffs, a traditional flaky apple strudel, and a delightful cream-filled puff pastry.
- Gatehouse Winery Wine Pairing: Enhance your culinary journey with carefully selected wines from Gatehouse Winery, expertly paired to complement each course
Music will be provided along with a rotating slide show on the country’s history during the period between the tak1800s and 1900s. En Guete!! Ticket cost: $38 Adults / $16 Children 6 to 12 / Children under 6 free. Reservations Required. Call or text our Visitor’s Center at 724.456.4983 or purchase your tickets online at www.gibsonhousemanor.org
Sept 24: (Wednesday) Gibson House Manor, Jamestown PA: Monthly Regional Leadership Luncheon – Join us from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for a light lunch. Enjoy a great afternoon spent with friends and new acquaintances while exploring a new topic each month. In conjunction with the Quilt Exhibit this month, quilt expert Jill Meszaros will be the speaker. The topic for this month’s presentation is “Quilts as Material Culture: Objects That Speak.” We’ll take a gentle journey through the world of quilts as material culture, exploring quilts not just as functional textiles but as meaningful objects that tell personal, social, and historical stories. Jill will be bringing a few quilts to reference during her talk. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend! Limit 35 per luncheon. Cost: $27 per person – reservations required. Call 724.456.4983 to reserve your seat.
Sept 26: (Friday) Gibson House Manor, Jamestown PA: Authentic British High Tea: A Slice of England in Our Own Backyard. Open house. Food served from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Indulge in a quintessentially British Afternoon Tea experience, featuring finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a delectable selection of exquisite pastries, all served with a variety of aromatic teas in an elegant and refined atmosphere.
- Savory Dishes: Hot entrée served with hot gravy; Hot fresh Gruyere and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese.
- Dainty and Delicate: Assorted Finger Sandwiches i.e., Strawberry & Cream Cheese, Ham Salad on Italian and wheat bread, Chicken Salad on wheat bread; Puff Pastry with roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted white onions and pesto.
- Sweet Treats: Assorted Tea Cakes; fresh baked warm Orange and Cranberry Scones and Lemon and Blueberry Scones all served with clotted cream and jam.
- Aromatic Teas and fresh mixed Mimosas or Poinsettias, served by Gatehouse Winery.
American History Tour of the House and Grounds. Cost: $38 Adults / $16 Children 6 to 12 / Children under 6 free. Reservations Required. Call or text our Visitor’s Center at 724.456.4983 or purchase your tickets online at www.gibsonhousemanor.org.
Sept 27: (Saturday) Gibson House Manor, Jamestown, PA: Encore Performance – Abraham Lincoln History Dinner and Lecture Series: 5:30 to 7:30 pm (Doors open at 5:00 pm; Dinner served at 5:30 pm; Lecture begins at 6:15 pm). Topic: “Mary, We Have Been Elected President!” Join us for a fascinating talk exploring Abraham Lincoln’s adult life, his pivotal campaigns for the Senate and Presidency, and his critical role in the national debate over slavery. John King, Abe Lincoln impersonator, is back by popular demand! King is a retired teacher and esteemed member of the “We Made History” troupe, a group of historical re-enactors and serious portrayers of US Presidents and First Ladies.
Delight in a flavorful meal designed to complement our lecture, featuring:
- Erma’s Signature Pulled Pork or Pulled Beef: Slow-cooked and seasoned to perfection, presented on toasted ciabatta.
- Creamy Gruyere and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
- Garden Fresh Spring Mix Salad and Seasonal Fruit Bowl
- Homemade Tea Cakes and Classic Tiramisu
Refreshments: Lemonade, Iced Tea, Coffee, and Tea. Reservations Required. $27 Adults / $16 Children 6 to 12 / Children under 6 free. Call or text our Visitor’s Center at 724.456.4983 or purchase your tickets online at www.gibsonhousemanor.org.
Also note Candlelight Tours starting October 4th, Victorian Christmas tours starting November 29th and lots of events in between!
For a complete calendar of events for the year, click here
Have a great September! AFB MMS JEB