The Gathering at Garst

07/26/2023

Heather B Leaves has been busy!

07/26/2023

Make certain you shop the makers, artists, and historical craftspeople at this year's Gathering at Garst! Candlemakers, aviaries, gemologists, photographers, weavers, and more will be offering their wares.

Drop by the shops of Maplewood Farm's Gourmet Dips & Wine Slush Mixes, Jamie's Crafting Lounge, JCL, Peg Hoover Photography !

07/25/2023

Ever wonder how we get the awesome cannons for the Gathering at Garst? It's all made possible by two historical groups--The First Mad River Light Artillery and the 4th Indiana Light Artillery. Both groups will once again be part of the demonstrations in the Living History Encampment at the Gathering at Garst!

The boom of the big muzzle loaded cannon will thrill you through and through! You’ll also have the opportunity to talk to the artillerists about the finer points of their art. The uniforms and billowing clouds of black powder smoke are prime ingredients for a great photo opportunity, and the crew members are always willing to answer questions and pose for pictures with the public.

The First Mad River Light Artillery is a historical interpretive group attached to the Clark County Parks District out of Springfield, Ohio. First organized in 2004, their headquarters is at George Rogers Clark Historical Park—the site of the 1780 Battle of Peckuwe (just west of Springfield.) They are able to represent artillery crews ranging from the French and Indian War up through the War of 1812 era. The FMRLA has been one of the foundational demonstration acts that has never failed to provide a crowd pleasing spectacle at the Gathering.

The 4th Indiana Light Artillery will again be unlimbering their full-scale Civil War 10-pound ordnance rifle at the Gathering at Garst this year. Their gun crew is easily recognized by their blue Union uniforms and orderly, authentic camp. Their personnel are knowledgeable about the historical aspects of their artillery unit and the Civil War, and are always pleased to meet the public, answer questions, and pose for photography.

The 4th Indiana Light Artillery is a non-profit Civil War Historical Interpretive group based out of Munsee, Indiana, and founded in 2000. They have been a mainstay at the Gathering since 2010. The unit is an active participant in major reenactment events over a large multi-state area. Additionally, under the auspice of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, they provide instructors and certification classes for crews wishing to take part in public ceremonial firing of muzzle loading artillery.

07/25/2023

Join us for the Saturday evening performance by the Dayton Jazz band, The Deron Bell Band ! They'll take the stage at 8:00 pm!

07/25/2023

07/24/2023

Just as in all years past, a lengthy roster of intriguing makers and proprietors will be setting up shop and offering their wares!

Be certain to check out Rosebud's Ranch & Garden, Unbelievable Skin Care LLC, Dohner Maple Products LLC, and JuJu Plant Co. !

07/24/2023

The Gathering at Garst's Living History Encampment welcomes historian and inventor Jon Stealey back with his 1783 paper hot air balloons! He makes each balloon by hand, using 50 yards of paper, the paper used in Jon's balloons is manufactured by a French company whose paper was used in the 1780s for the first air balloons. He sticks the paper together with fish glue and reinforces it with linen thread before drawing surface designs with black ink. Building each balloon takes about three weeks, but they can only fly for a few days due to wind, dampness, landings, and curious kids.

Over the last five years, Stealey has made 23 balloons and plans to bring five to historic Mount Vernon this fall. During his presentations, Stealey holds the balloon over a smoky fire and fills it with hot air. Once inflated, the balloon rises and Jon releases it, allowing the wind to dictate its course. Stop in and chat; even if the weather does not allow him to fly; his knowledge will astound you. We are pleased to have him back.

07/24/2023

John Kogge and the Lonesome Strangers will be churning out some Americana favorites in the Entertainment Tent on Saturday, July 29 at noon!

07/20/2023

There's still time to drop off items for the Last Chance Mercantile! Bring your items to the Lowell Thomas House behind the Garst Museum on Saturday, July 22 between the times of 10:00 am and 12:00 pm!
What's the Last Chance Mercantile? It's a 2-day tag sale on the grounds of the Garst Museum during the Gathering at Garst on July 29-30. This is a fundraiser for the museum and all monies raised are greatly appreciated!

08/10/2022

Who could have predicted a weekend as perfect as that of this year's Gathering at Garst?

07/29/2022

Founded in Piqua, OH in 2017, Drab Irish Band has been delighting audiences all over the eastern U.S. since then. They will be joining the Gathering at Garst again this year in the historical encampment in the Darke County Park District’s Prairie Ridge Meadow park area across from the Garst Museum. The band name is a nod of immense respect to the fact that two of the members are retired from the U.S. Army. Between the two of them, they have multiple combat tours and each retired with 20 years of service to the United States of America. Three of the band members are seasoned songwriters, each bringing their own unique style to the music. That said, Drab Irish Band songs vary widely from high-energy, fun pub songs to traditional Celtic and folk favorites, sea shanties, ballads, and songs that tell a story; there's something for everyone to enjoy! The Drabs will have you tapping your feet, singing and clapping along...and maybe even dancing if the spirit moves you! Performances will return at 6pm on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 at 2pm. The Band will be camping with the costumed interpreters all weekend! Stop in and talk with them. They probably will be playing, singing or dancing at any hour of the weekend!

07/29/2022

The Garst Museum and the Darke County Park District collaborate to welcome again to The Gathering at Garst, actor William “Rusty” Cottrel, as he portrays Black Hoof, the Primary Chief of the Shawnee Nation. In a lifetime that spanned over a century, from 1720 to 1831, Black Hoof was witness to and a participant in many pivotal events that determined the direction of the Northwest Territory from which Ohio was carved and in turn that of the fledgling United States of America. An experienced speaker, he will relate sometimes humorously and sometimes quite emotionally, Black Hoof’s experiences carrying him first back to the homeland of his ancestors and through many conflicts with nations seeking to drive his people from that homeland. Hear how he sought a different path from that of the more aggressive leader, Tecumseh, and judge for yourself if his policies were more successful. You may be drawn to empathize with him as he describes his efforts to lead his people into a farming culture identical to that of their white neighbors, and you may shed a tear with him as they must face removal to the west, in spite of their successful endeavor, and the promise that they would be free to live in the Ohio country “as long as the rivers flow and the grass grows.” Black Hoof will speak at the bower in the historical encampment at noon on Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31 at 3:30pm. Rusty helps organizes the cannon crews that join the Gathering each year when he isn’t speaking as Chief Black Hoof. We have some exciting new experiences to share with you in the historical encampment this year. Please stop in and visit and speak to our costumed re-enactors as they show the history of our country in a most creative way.