Eckley Miners’ Village goes back in time for 1940s weekend

WEATHERLY — Visitors to Eckley Miners’ Village on Saturday could be forgiven for forgetting what decade they were in for a few moments.

Re-enactors dressed as soldiers from World War II meandered through the village as 1940s music played, all giving the impression of a different era.

It was all part of the Eckley Miners’ Village Association’s third annual 1940s weekend, bringing the historic area back to life through re-enactments, musical performances, memorabilia and guest speakers.

Military encampments — complete with a canteen and a Charlie Chaplin impersonator — filled the space between the historic homes. Re-enactors shared historic knowledge with passers-by, and, on the porches, memorabilia and novelty items laid neatly on tables, each one portraying its own story of the era.

Christine Lurk is a collector of 1940s novelty items. She said she enjoys bringing parts of her collection to the village for the public to see.

“I wanted to share my pieces with the public. It’s always more fun with everyone,” she said as she spoke about some of her items.

From novelty catalogs to a plaster skunk bearing Adolf Hitler’s head, Lurk had it all for history buffs.

Further down the road, hungry guests took a break from the sun’s heat to get some ice cream and listen to The Blue Notes perform music of the era.

Bode Morin, Eckley site administrator, said that attendance has increased over the years, with more people gaining interest in history.

“There’s been a growing interest in 1940s history,” he said. “So we’ve seen attendance increase.”

Morin said that all houses and the museum will be open for the public to explore, on top of informational tents and live entertainment again on Sunday. Sarah Jane Ferguson, a member of the all-women’s baseball team featured in the movie ‘A League of Their Own,’ is scheduled to speak Sunday and World War II era cartoons will be shown, a scavenger hunt will be held and live musical performances will be featured.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children. The event runs from 10 a.m to 5 p.m Sunday.

People watch a World War II era Looney Tunes cartoon in Eckley Miners’ Village on Saturday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TTL080716Eckley_6-1.jpgPeople watch a World War II era Looney Tunes cartoon in Eckley Miners’ Village on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Historian Liz Baldwin, of Ridgway, Elk County, talks about the ‘Books for Victory’ war effort to members of Girl Scout Troop 30304 on Saturday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TTL080716Eckley_4-1.jpgHistorian Liz Baldwin, of Ridgway, Elk County, talks about the ‘Books for Victory’ war effort to members of Girl Scout Troop 30304 on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Eckley Miners’ Village education and volunteer coordinator Morgan Pearce, of Freeland, demonstrates the use of a rotary telephone on Saturday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TTL080716Eckley_3-1.jpgEckley Miners’ Village education and volunteer coordinator Morgan Pearce, of Freeland, demonstrates the use of a rotary telephone on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

World War II re-enactors patrol Eckley Miners’ Village during its annual 1940s weekend on Saturday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TTL080716Eckley_5-1.jpgWorld War II re-enactors patrol Eckley Miners’ Village during its annual 1940s weekend on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

World War II re-enactor Matt Holmgren, of Larksville, protrays a soldier from the 517th Parachute Regimented Combat Team during the August 1944 invasion of southern France at Eckley Miners’ Village during the 1940s weekend on Saturday morning.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TTL080716Eckley_1-1.jpgWorld War II re-enactor Matt Holmgren, of Larksville, protrays a soldier from the 517th Parachute Regimented Combat Team during the August 1944 invasion of southern France at Eckley Miners’ Village during the 1940s weekend on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

World War II re-enactor Matt Holmgren, of Larksville, protrays a soldier from the 517th Parachute Regimented Combat Team during the August 1944 invasion of southern France at Eckley Miners’ Village during the 1940s weekend on Saturday morning.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TTL080716Eckley_2-1.jpgWorld War II re-enactor Matt Holmgren, of Larksville, protrays a soldier from the 517th Parachute Regimented Combat Team during the August 1944 invasion of southern France at Eckley Miners’ Village during the 1940s weekend on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader