Trial & Tribulations: New in 2010

Once again, history comes to life in Oakland on September 16, 17 and 18 when you meet  seven historical characters who lived through the Matson Slave Trial. The trial freed the Bryant family from slave holder Matson even though Abraham Lincoln represented Matson. Ticket holders will also enjoy an 1847 meal and watch the original historical drama, Three Fifths of a Man, written by Dr. David Jorns. The program starts at the Rutherford Complex at Pike Street and State Route 133 and is from 4-8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s program is from 2-8:30 p.m.and includes three extras: 1840s music performed by Motherlode String Quartet, Harriett Tubman portrayed by Kathryn Harris, and craft/life-style demonstrations replicating the nineteenth century nearby free African-American community. A ticket for any night is also good for the Saturday extras.  For more details visit our website at www.matsontrial1847.org, call 217-508-9113 or email us at trial.tribulations1847@gmail.com.   Tickets are $25/ person and include site admissions, the meal and the performance.  
The committee announces the following changes for this year:

• People will pick up their tickets and be welcomed in the Depot on the Landmarks property.
• Interpreters in town will be located in buildings: Rutherford at the house, Ashmore in the Historical Museum, and Lincoln in the Meeting House.
• Meal will be catered by Lincoln Springs Resort and will be ham/turkey, vinegar coleslaw, cornbread, chunky applesauce, vegetarian baked beans, and bread pudding.
• More of the houses in the village will be open.
• Saturday extras as listed above.
• Play has been slightly rewritten and will have some new cast members which will change the performance.
• No gift shop, but publications and postcards will be for sale at the depot and the Columbian Building.
• Some of the interpreters presentations have been altered to reflect new research and to add more variety to the stories.
• The Lincoln Springs Trolley will be here on Saturday to move people between town and the village.
• Golf carts will be available at the village to help people move between houses.