1858 Exhibition of the Frederick County Agricultural Society Sept.12-14, 2025

Introduction

In 1858, the Sixth Annual Frederick County Agricultural Exhibition included a Grand Tournament of Jousting. This event would be witnessed by an estimated 10,000 spectators. The 30 participants, or knights, were properly attired and rode in procession through the city en route to the Barracks Grounds. The victors received premiums and the honor of selecting the Queen of Love and Beauty, and three Maids of Honor. After several hours, Henry Dunlop “Knight of Otterburn” was declared champion and promptly chose Miss Marian Buckey, Queen of Love and Beauty.

The following description comes

from the Frederick Examiner newspaper:

The grounds were securely enclosed and nearly surrounded by a line of stables, stalls, pens and mews, for the protection and show of stock. The old Barracks were used for offices and exhibiting rooms for household goods and domestic manufactures, and a spacious shed erected for the arrangement of vegetables, fruits, grains, meats, seeds, etc. Chicken coops and machinery and agricultural implements comprised the middle area and the lower division contained a plowing lot and a horse ring, about 200 yards in circumference with a judges stand in the center, from which towered a lofty flag bearing the national banner. Upon the stand Capt Burke’s brass band was stationed and from time to time played the choicest pieces, adding considerably to the gaiety and enjoyment of the scene. The horse ring was constantly encircled by a dense mass of spectators, fine ladies vying with noisy men and boys for good points of view; yet we believe all were gratified, and can safely say equally surprised.

Bringing the Exhibition to Life

Jousting

This is Ring Jousting which is what was done at the 1858 Exhibition

Riders within the reenacting community are welcome to join the event as novice Jousters and will work/train on the morning of the main event.

Jousters will wear “period” attire as long as the attire does not interfere with the jousting

Victors will have the honor of selecting the Queen of Love and Beauty, and three Maids of Honor.

Sword Fighting

With the Medieval Reenacting Community, we will invite several Knights who will sword fight in an arena

Long Bow Competition

With the Medieval Reenacting Community, we will invite several Archers who will demonstrate a Long Bow Competition as well as hold a 1850’s Civilian Archery Competition

1858 Exhibition had opened with a battalion parade of the “beautiful Volunteer companies that our city boasts of.” These volunteer companies of firemen, doubled as the town’s chief militia units. The parade included the United Guards, the Junior Defenders and the Independent Riflemen. In the course of the parade, “a truly magnificent silk flag, the union emblazoned with a bird of freedom in the constellation of States, exquisitely painted,” was presented in the name of the Ladies to the Junior Defenders. The flag was presented by Junior Defender and local attorney Bradley Tyler Johnson to his superior, Captain John Ritchie. These companies went through military drills with precision and grace before the throng of captivated onlookers.

We recognize that not everyone has or desires a civilian impression. This will be an opportunity to involve these participants as well.

John Wyman (MD Militia -Rev War up to 1859) will organize the United Guards, the Junior Defenders and the Independent Riflemen. He is also attempting to build this same militia for John Brown Raid for NPS.

“These companies went through military drills with precision and grace before the throng of captivated onlookers.”

Red Fireman’s Shirt, Dark Blue Trousers, Red Kepi with Dark Blue band and crown, white belts, MD buckles, 1842 and 1855 Springfield's/Harpers Ferry’s and Mississippi’s

We will work with vendors within the hobby to secure group buys.

Click HERE for more information about the Frederick City Militia

Horse Drawn Plow Competition

We have been in discussions with multiple individuals

who plow using horses and they are very interested in doing this.

Please reach out to Homespun Historical Ventures Inc. if this is something you are interested participating in with your plow horse.

Period Bazaar

“award premiums for the best articles of domestic manufacture, such as cloth, cassimeres, cassinets, flannels, blankets, coverlets, counterpanes, carpeting, sheeting, paper, etc along with implements of agriculture.”

“That premiums be offered, to encourage domestic fabrics and the cultivation of fruits and that a committee be appointed by the society to receive and examine specimens of fruit grown in the county and to make report of the specimens exhibited, to the next meeting of the committee.”

Vendor Types

An Authentic 1858 Country Picnic along the Antietam Creek

Step directly into the warm glow of September 1858 for a magical weekend of community, tradition, and living history along the beautiful Antietam Creek! Relive the charm of a bygone era as you gather with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the simple joys of life and our region’s rich agricultural heritage.

Bring Your Period Picnic Basket & Blanket!

Relax beneath towering oaks and maples, savoring traditional foods while sharing stories and laughter with neighbors.

Create your own authentic picnic with period-appropriate delights:

Fresh-baked breads, smoked meats, and cheeses
Homemade preserves, pickles, and orchard-fresh fruits
Delicious pies, biscuits, and pastries
Roasted corn, fresh-churned butter, lemonade, and warm apple cider

Basket Social Auction

The premise for the auction was simple; women would decorate a basket and fill it with a picnic for two. The men bid on the women’s baskets anticipating a meal with the women whose box it is. Generally, the baskets are anonymous, so the men don’t know whose basket they are bidding on. Of course, if the men knew their wife’s basket, they were expected to bid on it and get it for their supper. The real competition was among the bachelors and the unmarried ladies with the mystery, teasing, joking, and sometimes humorous results adding to the fun.

The women were very clever at decorating their baskets. Many times, the unmarried women would surreptitiously drop hints indicating which basket was hers. Pieces of fabric, wildflowers, string or yarn, or burlap doubled as clues as a way of rigging the results.

The auctioneer would start the bidding by announcing the contents of the basket. Cold fried chicken, ham biscuits, hard-cooked eggs, pickles, and cornbread were perennial favorites. Coconut Jumbles, Joe Froggers (molasses cookies), slices of pound cake were most welcomed. And if a bidder was real lucky, a dried apple pie might be tucked in between the folds of a length of toweling.

Often the bidding would start slowly at “two bits” (twenty-five cents). To sharpen the bidding, a glib-tongued auctioneer encouraged the men, embellishing the contents of the basket making the food sound more appetizing than it might have been. By the end of the bidding, towns usually netted between ten to fifteen dollars depending on the number of baskets.

Enjoy the creek!

Bring your period swimwear and refresh yourself in the sparkling waters, just as generations did before.

This isn’t just a picnic—it’s your chance to step directly into history, forging new friendships and creating unforgettable memories along the banks of historic Antietam Creek.

Livestock Show

We are currently working with folks who participate in livestock showing to get us some show animals.

If there is an animal you would like to showcase at the fair, please reach out to HHV.

Animals we are looking for:

Cows
Horses
Donkeys
Mules
Sheep
Goats
Pigs
Chickens

Saturday Evening Dinner

Pre Order Dinner Tickets Only

Meal – Homespun’s Famous Beef Brisket, Roasted Potatoes and vegetables, bread, Mint Julip Punch, Period Dessert

Followed by a late evening of drinks and merriment