Smyrna times., 1935-06-27
PAGEANT GIVEN
AT "LONGWOOD"
Spectacular Production Tells
of History of the State
of Delaware
AUSPICES OF LIE GION

One of the most spectacular
dramatizations ever attempted by
an amateur cast as Historic Della
ware" presented Thursday night
at the open air theatre of Longwooc
under the auspices of the Kenneti
Square American Legion. Approx
imately $500 persons witnessed the
first performance and GAO cars
were lined in fields and roads sur
rounding the estate. The 2,2OC
seats were filled and many others
stood around the sides of the the
atre. A mammoth cast comprising
many townsfolk of Kennett Square,
as well as talent from nearby
towns and Wilmington, took part.
The production moved with ease
from the prologue through the
grand finale when the melting
pot" dance Of many nations was
given depicting the Delaware of
today. Historic Delaware" shown
in episodes, creation, in a ballet
showing the taking form of sky
land and water and the appearance
of man; the Indians; the early set
Elements, the Dutch near the pres
ent town of Lewes in 1851, and the
Swedes in 1888 and 1912; William
PENIS visit to New Castle; the
symbolic pioneer; the Revolution
ary period, which includes scenes
of the naming of the "'Blue Hens
Chicks" Caesar Rodney's ride, the
making of the stars and stripes
and the battle of Cooch's Bridge;
Washington at Wilmington; the
War of 1872; the wedding of Dor
cas- Van Dyke and Charles I. du-
Pont, the Civil War and Delaware
today. Miss Frances MCGEE, who
was May Queen at the Women's
College, University Of Delaware
last month, appeared as Miss Del
aware in the prologue. Among
other Delawareans taking promin-
ent parts were, Mrs. Lois R. Tay-
1or as the pioneer woman. Know
les r. Bowen, of Kennel Square,
appeared as the pioneer man and
as George Washington. Mr.. Bow
en- is a brother-in-law of Norman
Groves, of Wilmington, and Robert
A. Groves, of Marshallton. The
Rev. r r. Patten, direct descend
ant of Abraham Lincoln, took that
part. Scenes were authentic in
every detail, the outline for the
pageant having been written by
Christian @. Sanderson, noted his
torian, who, although a native
Pennsylvania, was Delaware
resident for some years while prin-
cipal Of the Oak Grove School.
John T. Hall wrote the dialogue
and continuity. Mr. Sanderson and
his Pocopson Valley Boys played
preceding the program and music
during the pageant was played by
George Madden and his Orchestra.
Masons escorting Lafayette to the
wedding Of Dorcas Van Dyke and
Charles /. DUPONT, one of the most
picturesque scenes in the entire
production, were delegates from st.
Johns Commandery No. !, Knights
Templar, of Wilmington. The Ken
nett Square American Legion dedi-
Gated this years pageant to Mr.
and Mrs. Pierre S. DUPONT, who
have opened Longwood for their
use on several occasions. Programs
are themselves a treat for the resi-
dents Of Delaware and nearby
States and include a history of the
State by Mr.. Sanderson, some
facts concerning the William w.
Fahey Post, No. 491, American
Legion, of Kennett Square, and
other interesting data. The cover
design, Lafayette at the Battle of
Brandywine," was painted by Mr..
Frank E. Schoonover, of Whining
ton A fountain display followed
the pageant. Proceeds of the pro-
duction, the sixth annual offering
of the oPst, will be used for the
veterans hospitals and community
projects such as Christmas parties
for the children, Boy Scout and
Red Cross enrollments and the
community playground.