RADFORD – The Mary Draper Ingles Festival, held last weekend in Radford and the surrounding area, brought many visitors to the city with people hailing from several states and even a few foreign countries.
At Ingles Farm, along with New River in the west end of Radford, visitors got to take a look inside the replica 1700s cabin where Mary Draper Ingles lived after she settled in Radford following her ordeal. She walked hundreds of miles home to the New River Valley after being taken captive by American Indians.
Ingles Farm is still owned by the Ingles family as direct descendant Col. Lewis Ingles “Bud” Jeffries still resides there with his wife and operates a farm there. Jeffries gave a talk about the family’s history at the family cemetery on the grounds, and history interpreters donned period dress and told visitors about everything from tools and trading to American Indian history. Jeffries opens up the farm to the public for events like last weekend’s festival, which also included several events at Glencoe Mansion, Museum, and Gallery, and at Long Way Brewing, named for Ingles’s “Long Way Home” journey.
At Glencoe, visitors were treated to live music throughout the day, as well as a blacksmithing demonstration, history interpreters, museum tours, a petting zoo,and author book signings. The brewery presented an actress portraying Ingles, live music, and children’s activities.
Heather Bell