Expert interpreter Doug Wood from West Virginia will perform as Thomas Ingles during the Mary Draper Ingles Festival July 24-27.
Heather Bell
RADFORD – The full schedule for the Mary Draper Ingles Festival, set for July 24- 27 in the City of Radford and Pulaski County, has been released, and the story of Thomas Ingles will be among the stories told by historical interpreters.
“Come learn Thomas Ingles’s story through the eyes of expert interpreter Doug Wood from West Virginia,” Glencoe Mansion announced Monday. “Follow the Ingles son during the summer of 1775 as he returns home from military duty along the Ohio River. Thomas, along with his mother, was taken captive by the Shawnees in 1755. However, the four-year-old remained with the tribe for a number of years. By the age of 17, he returned to his family and was schooled to become a Virginia gentleman. At the age of 23, he served Virginia in the war led by Royal Governor Lord Dunmore against his former Shawnee nation. After the decisive Battle of Point Pleasant, Thomas served as a liaison between Shawnees and Virginians while stationed at the Point. Onlookers will hear the story of how this young man lived in both the Indian and the European settler worlds. This year is the 250th anniversary of Dunmore’s War in Western Virginia, a major stepping-stone to the Revolutionary War.”
The interpretation will take place at Glencoe Mansion on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m.
The full schedule for the festival is:
Thursday, July 24:
Wilderness Road Regional Museum
Claytor Lake Hidden History Tour focused on Mary Draper Ingles, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $50/person; Leaves from State Park Marina in Pulaski County.
Friday, July 25:
Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery
Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
New History Exhibit: “Mary Draper Ingles: Steps to Revolution”
Art Exhibit: “Celebrating Appalachia”
Mary Draper Ingles Park open dawn to dusk
Radford University Art Museum on Tyler open 12 – 7 p.m.: “2025 Radford Art Show” Opening Reception 5—7 p.m.
Wilderness Road Regional Museum
Float and tours from Ingles Tavern to Ingles Castle, 6-8 p.m., $20, limited spots
Saturday, July 26:
Glencoe Mansion
Special Event Tent 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
10 a.m. – Music with Ricky Cox and Willard Gayheart
11 a.m. -Thomas Ingles Interpretation by Doug Wood
12 p.m.- Musical Performance by Kinnfolk
1 p.m. – Madeline Hoge: Ancestral Footprints: Turning Family Research into Lasting Narratives
2 p.m. – Musical Performance by Kinnfolk
Booths and Exhibitions 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Blacksmith John Tilton
18th century uses of medicinal and edible plants; Dianne Anestis
Historical Clothing with Dina Smith-Glaviana
Booth from the Conservation of Recreation
Booth from the Radford Public Library
Booths from museums and nonprofits
Food Trucks: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. American Dreams by Mountain 2 Island and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lizard Licks Snow Cones
Gallery exhibit continues inside Glencoe Mansion 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
New History Exhibit: “Mary Draper Ingles: Steps to Revolution”
Art Exhibit: “Celebrating Appalachia”
Mary Draper Ingles Statue and train observatory open all day (dawn-dusk)
Ingles Castle
Open for self-guided tours- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Radford University Art Museum on Tyler
Art Museum open 12—4 p.m. “2025 Radford Art Show” continues
Wilderness Road Regional Museum
Ingles Tavern tours and Living History, shuttle from WRRM hourly 11a.m. -3 p.m., $10 per adult, kids under 6 free
Sunday, July 27:
Glencoe Mansion 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mary Draper Ingles Statue and train observatory open all day (dawn-dusk)
Ingles Castle
Open for self-guided tours- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wilderness Road Regional Museum
Ingles Tavern tours and Living History, shuttle from WRRM hourly 11a.m.- 3 p.m., $10 per adult, kids under 6 free, live music 2:30 p.m.