A photograph entitled “Pageant Scene” appeared in the Gratz Sesquicentennial Book in 1955. This specific scene was entitled “Indian Council” and was part of a historical pageant presented at the Gratz Fairgrounds, July 1955, for the Gratz Bicentennial, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The book offers no explanation of what transpired during the scene, but in going by the photo and the number of named participants, it was a large group of men women and children dancing around in what they believed was Indian dress and enacting some sort of ritual dance.
There was also no explanation of why such a large portion of the pageant was devoted to Indians, when in 1805, when Gratz was supposedly founded, there were virtually no Indians anywhere near where Gratz was located.
Fortunately though, the names and roles of all the participants were included in the Sesquicentennial Book. Perhaps some of them are still alive and can explain why this “act” was included in the pageant and the historical accuracy of what they were doing.
Richard Penn ………. Jack Reed
Indians ……….. Boy Scouts of America, Troup 152, Erdman, Pennsylvania.
Indian Chief ……….. Ernest Klinger
Indians: Anthony King; Donald King; Dennis Rothermel; Michael Gonder; James Schadle; Roy Schadle; Ronald Schadle; Glen Schade; Lester Buffington; Dennis Buffington; Donald Buffington; Larry Harner; Daniel Harner; Ronald Matter; Thomas Kling; Larry Tice; Jackie Kessler; Terry Sitely; Terry Laudenslager; Raobert Lauderslager; Larry Wiest; Glenn Klinger; Dennis Eckler; Randy Bowman; Elwood Weaver; William Morehart.
Indian Girls: Mrs. Edna Hoffman, leader; Ruth Snyder; Mary Snyder; Margaret Shroyer; Mary Wiest; Jean Daniel; Betty Welker; Helen Romberger; Deanna Weaver; Barbara Morehart; Barbara Kessler; Nancy Kessler; Sandra Laudenslager; Mary Straub.
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This photograph appeared in the souvenir book for the Gratz Sesquicentennial, July 2-4, 1955.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.
[Black-Face].
[Indians].