Gruenewald Home recalls Madison County's centennial during its bicentennial

Oct. 2—ANDERSON — Local residents stepped back 100 years Sunday during the county bicentennial program at the Gruenewald Historic House.

Ladies and gentlemen were dressed in 1920s-era clothing as the historic home hosted an event that included music and newspaper delivery boys selling the front page of an edition of the Anderson Herald from 1923 for "two bits," or a quarter dollar.

Lessa Johnson, a member of the Gruenewald board of directors and the county's bicentennial committee, said planning for the event started 18 months ago.

"We wanted to do a historical reenactment," Johnson said. "We didn't want to go back to 1823 because there was no house located here."

So the group decided to reenact local life in 1923, when the county celebrated its 100th birthday.

Deb Weston and Carol Grace, members of the Madison County Historical Society, were dressed in period costume and acted as tour guides in the three-story home, which was constructed in 1873.

Weston said she purchased her 1920s dress online.

"We're celebrating many things — the house and the history of Anderson," she explained. "We're creating a legacy for the next generation."

Grace said Sunday's program gave people the opportunity to see how Anderson residents lived in the 1920s.

Ryan Kavich's two sons, Munro and Holden, were dressed in period costume as paperboys. Johnson, who is Kavich's aunt, asked the boys to be involved in the event.

"This is the first time I've been in the (Gruenewald) house," Ryan Kavich said. "It's amazing. ... The decorations (at the house aren't used) in houses built today."

Darlene Harrington was there to portray Alma Harrington, whose son Allen was among the first Black men to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

Allen Harrington was born in Anderson in 1917, enlisted at the age of 16 and returned from the war to work at Delco Remy in Anderson, according to Darlene Harrington.

"He had a lot of stories to tell," she said. "He was almost in a trance when he talked about rescuing POWs (prisoners of war) in the Mariana Islands."

"I was afraid for him," Darlene Harrington, portraying Alma Harrington, said of her son enlisting in the Marines. "I was afraid that he wouldn't come back.

Dave Cagley portrayed Martin Gruenewald, who came to the United States from Germany at the age of 20 with $5 in his pocket.

Gruenewald, who was in the brick-making business, moved to Anderson in 1876 and built the now historic home, according to Cagley.

Gruenewald wanted to open a brewery in Anderson but couldn't when Prohibition went into effect in 1920, outlawing the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.