It was 7 a.m. on my first Saturday as a Fort Wayne resident when my phone rang. It was my mother calling from Illinois, asking what I had planned for that day.  Since sleep was obviously out of the question, I mumbled something about unpacking and finding my way around town.  I was a single girl, living in a town where I knew no one, and can honestly say I hadn’t planned much for my first weekend in the city.

My mother, in typical mom fashion, had already looked up Visit Fort Wayne’s calendar and had a list of things I could be doing that day.  It was obvious the conversation was going to continue until I committed to something on her list and agreed to report back later in the day.  I chose the Downtown Fort Wayne Walking Tour.

I love history and architecture so it seemed like the least painful thing to agree to at 7 a.m.  It turned out to be one of the highlights of my time here in Fort Wayne.  It was a great experience and one I’m happy to admit my mother was right about.  With walking shoes, sunglasses, a bottle of water, the $10 fee, and sunscreen I set out to meet the tour group at the Barr Street Market where we would depart on our 90-minute tour.  I learned quickly that volunteers like the one leading our tour are passionate about this city and love giving you the “inside story” of the history of things.  It was easy to get swept up in the passion of our guide.

As we departed Barr Street Market, I began to see Downtown Fort Wayne in a way I hadn’t during the interview process.  Downtown Fort Wayne is filled with history and interesting history at that.  For example, the train elevation running through downtown used to be a canal.  Who knew? I certainly would have never guessed that.  Or that the beautiful tower bank has an old fashioned soda fountain just off the lobby or that the beautiful concrete art structures on the lawn of historic Allen County Courthouse were actually left overs from the ones at the top of the building found in a basement and used when the city created the park that now sits in front of the courthouse.  I use that fact every time I need a little fact that makes me sound clever.

My guide was funny and warm and looked just like the retired history buff you imagine he would.  He welcomed me with open arms to this great city and made me want to stay.  Whether you’re a visitor or a life long resident, I encourage you to check out the walking tour.  You’ll want to stay too!

Additional walking and bus tours are available for a variety of areas in Fort Wayne.  Check out Arch’s website at www.archfw.org for more info.

And, if you ever want to try it on your own, check out this self-guided walking tour!

• 

Wow! Writing about Downton Abbey is so much fun after seeing Season 3 in its entirety yesterday on PBS! Yes, 10 hours. I don’t care that it took the whole day.

What, you’re not a Downton Abbey fan? You’ve never heard of the PBS phenomenon that has taken the world by storm? Let me explain what the fuss is about, and then suggest ways you can celebrate your own Downton Abbey Week right here in Fort Wayne.

Downton Abbey is the name of a fictional mansion in the countryside of England. Season 1 opens in 1912 when news of the sinking of the Titanic reaches the titled Crawley family who live in Downton Abbey. The heir for the estate has apparently drowned on the Titanic and the search is on to install a new heir.

Season 2 opens during World War I. Spoiler alert! The Crawleys are not immune to the effects of the Spanish flu epidemic that swept the world, or the primitive medical practices of a century ago. Another spoiler alert! Season 3 is a real tear-jerker!

OK, that’s all I’ll say, except you must see this show if you appreciate historical drama, great acting, beautiful gowns and fantastic story lines.

Now that I’ve whetted your appetite to watch Downton Abbey here are some ideas to establish your own Downton Abbey celebration.

First, check out the full-color books written by Jessica Fellowes from Allen County Public Library—The Chronicles of Downton Abbey and The World of Downton Abbey. I’ve read them and highly recommend them. They are full of photos of characters from the show and Fellowes’ insights into life from that time period are interesting. Julian Fellowes created and has written all of the Downton Abbey episodes. (You can also rent the DVDs here, if need be, and there is also a Downton Abbey cookbook so you could cook your own cranberry scones like Mrs. Patmore for high tea!)

Next, shop for elegant dinner clothing as might be worn by the Crawley women at local thrift shops. Remember to pick up some LONG necklaces which Mary seemed to wear for every occasion.

Third, lunch with a friend at Sweet Violets Tea and Antiques at 503 W. Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. If you’ve watched the show, discuss which is better – Mrs. Patmore’s Christmas pudding or lemon curd. (By the way, when the show’s characters ask for biscuits with tea, they’re asking for cookies, not the biscuits that Americans typically eat with gravy.

A visit to The History Center will reveal the painful method of producing waves in women’s hair from a cen)tury ago. Edith Crawley must have endured much pain from these heated items when prepping her hair!

Time your Downton Abbey experience so it corresponds to when the tulips are blooming at Foster Park. The Crawleys are often pictured strolling through their spacious grounds around the castle. If you’re daring, wear your attire while doing so and see how many looks you get!

Can you think of other ways in Fort Wayne to celebrate the British way of life from 100 years ago? Please share!

• 

Beer loves unite: Brewfest Fort Wayne is your destination March 9th.

According to their website, Brewfest Fort Wayne is an annual beer tasting and silent auction event founded in 2008.  It features breweries, restaurants, and distributors who come together to offer a wide variety of craft beers from around Indiana and the region. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door and includes unlimited sampling, souvenir glass, sandwiches and snacks, music, silent auction and tours of the Fort Wayne Masonic Temple, 216 E. Washington Blvd., a building on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Portions of proceeds will be donated for the preservation of this historical building. Unbeknownst to most, the facility is available for rental. Rentals are vital to supporters’ ongoing efforts of building preservation and allows them to make many important facility upgrades.

Local and regional breweries, restaurants, vendors, and distributors will be on site to provide the hoppy goodness. That includes the Trion Tavern, the DashIn, Mad Anthony Brewing Company, and Brewer’s Art Supply, to name a few.

Tickets are on sale at the Freemason’s Hall, the Dash-In and Brewer’s Art Supply.

• 

Travel back to the 1700 – 1890s at the Fort Wayne Historical Trade Fair: Saturday and Sunday, February 9 – 10. From demonstrations and reenactments to original items and crafts, you’ll have the chance to experience what it was like to live during this time historic era.

“What’s nice is that you really get to learn a lot about that time period especially with the historical reenacting that goes back in time. There will also be many items that people used then – a lot of which we still use today,” says Mike Radke, one of the fair’s organizers.

Try your hand at weaving, spinning and broom making, and even learn how to play the dulcimer. Enjoy artwork by artists specializing in the time period. Take home a piece of history and stop by the craft tables where many pre-1890 items will be on sale – furniture, cookware and plates, clothing and shoes, lanterns and lamps, books and music, toys and dolls, early firearms and supplies, tomahawks and knives. And learn more about the Indian history in the area.

Food and drinks will be available – sloppy joes and hotdogs, chili, vegetable soup – plus a bake sale by the ladies group of the Old Fort.

Fort Wayne Historical Trade Fair – Allen County Fairgrounds

2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818

Saturday, February 9, 9 am – 5 pm

Sunday, February 10, 12 pm – 9 pm

Admission at the door.

Adults $3

Children 6 – 12, $1

Children 5 and under, free

• 

Experience winter and daily life with the French of the Fort Miamis. Here civilians, local native Americans, French military members and others will recreate an unique experience life at the Historic Old Fort on the frontier. The fort and the frontier are right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Nouvelle Annee: A French Garrison 1753.

This fun, annual event takes place Saturday, January 26 this year and is free and open to the public. It may be January and many people are in their own hibernation, but at the Old Fort frontier families and tradesmen are hard at work. View cooking and sewing demonstrations among the live events at this year’s event. Experience mail call, drilling and folks scouting the area as well. Learn about life and culture in a time very different than today. This event is perfect for children and families too. Just bundle up!

Nouvelle Annee: A French Garrison 1753 is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free but a donation is encouraged to help support the Old Fort and future events on site. For additional information call 260.437.2836 or visit the Old Fort online.

The Old Fort is part of a not-for-profit organization and run completely by volunteers. The fort is open for tours and special events and is a replica of an American fort built in Fort Wayne circa 1815 to 1816.

•