Children’s Corner planned at Historic Bristol Day

Advance correspondent

BRISTOL BOROUGH - A Children’s Corner is planned for the Oct. 20 Historic Bristol Day that will give young people the opportunity to learn about Harriman, do crafts and have fun at the same time. This is the second year in a row that special events for children will make up part of the day, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural and Historical coundation.

Music, dolls and games popular in the 1917-1922 era, when Averell Harriman built both the houses and the ship building facility in the community of Harriman, later incorporated as part of the borough of Bristol, said Mary Gesualdi, Title I coordinator for the Bristol Borough School District.

This year, in honor of the Harriman theme of Bristol Day, the event will be held at Bristol High School on Wilson Avenue, where “stations” will be set up for various activities. cor instance, in the music room, retired teacher Beverly Howley will display her large collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls.

Raggedy Ann is a fictional character developed by writer/illustrator Johnny Gruelle in a series of children’s books. Raggedy Ann is a rag doll with red yard for hair and a triangular nose. She was created in 1915 and introduced to the public in “Raggedy Ann Stories” in 1918. Her “brother,” Raggedy Andy, dressed in a sailor suit and hat, made his debut in 1920.

Various other areas will be set aside in the high school cafeteria, where young visitors can learn various skills. Bristol artist Virginia DiMaggio will help kids make sock dolls, so popular in the years highlighted by Bristol Day.

“The children will also learn to play games that were popularW kick the can, marbles and jacks. Today, children don’t know how to play those games,” Gesualdi said.

how to play those games,” Gesualdi said.

Another common activity at the time was called Read Alouds and children from the 21st Century Community Learning Center will be reading “Raggedy Ann and Andy Tales” by Gruelle, “Millions of Cats” by Wanda Gag, and Beatrix Potter books.

An added treat will be jars of penny candy that the children can purchase with special tickets they “earn” during other activities, Gesualdi said.

There’s enough variety that children can participate in an activity if they want to, or skip it if they don’t, she said.

Historic Bristol Day, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural and Historical coundation, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trolleys will offer tours of Harriman for ticket holders; a free shuttle bus will ferry visitors from the Mill and Radcliffe Street area, where traditional activities will take place, to the Harriman section of town.

There will be house tours in Harriman, a regatta on the Delaware River, the traditional tea, and other activities. cor more information, visit www.bristolhistory.org.