Snow-Bound Weekend, a dramatic re-creation of John Greenleaf Whittier's famous poem, "Snow-Bound," will be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at the poet's Haverhill birthplace.
The biennial re-creation features the Whittier family and friends, in full period dress and performing scenes from the famous poem. The cast includes Augustine "Gus" Reusch Jr. as John Greenleaf Whittier and Patricia Feller as the narrator.
The event includes horse-drawn sleigh or wagon hayrides and period music and poetry in the shoe shop. The last performance of "Snow-Bound" begins at 3:30 p.m. Hot apple cider and doughnuts will be served.
Elinor Curtin Cameron, a trustee of the birthplace, said this year's Snow-Bound Weekend is being held in February for two reasons.
"December gets so hectic for our performers, and for many years I would meet folks who said, 'If only I didn't have so many other things to do so close to Christmas,'" she said.
Two years ago, trustees tried Martin Luther King weekend, only to hear that many people go away for that long weekend.
"We settled on February as February is Black History Month, and our native-son abolitionist was certainly focused on the black issue of his day," Curtin Cameron said. "It is our way of linking to part of the Whittier heritage."
Whittier originally conceived the poem as a means of conveying to his niece Elizabeth the challenges of life in early 19th century Haverhill. Similarly, visitors to the birthplace during Snow-Bound Weekend will experience the warmth emanating from the poet's own farmhouse hearth as they savor the scent of apples roasting by the fire, said organizers of the event, which began in 1995.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for students ages 7 to 17, and free for children 6 and under. Parking is not allowed at the birthplace, but free parking and a shuttle will be available at Francis H. Maroney Inc. and Biggart's Ice Cream. Both are on Route 110, about a half mile east of Interstate 495, Exit 52. More information is available at johngreenleafwhittier.com.
The Trustees of the John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead are responsible for managing the farmhouse museum and more than 70 acres at the birthplace of the famed poet, abolitionist, editor and politician.
The house, built in 1688 by Thomas Whittier, is substantially the same as when the poet lived there between 1807 and 1836. "Snow-Bound" was first published Feb. 17, 1866.
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