DAMASCUS

HERITAGE

DAY

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

On Sunday, I went to the annual Damascus Heritage Day at the Izaak Walton League in Damascus. The Izaak Walton League is not only about nature, but the site also has multiple shooting ranges. That gave a surreal atmosphere, as you will hear on the videos I shot. While lectures were being given on the history of Damascus, you could hear guns blazing in the background.

There were vintage tractors, and the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department brought over their historic fire engine: believe it or not, a 1945 Ford Oren Pumper. It looks great, and I have photos from all angles.

The most fascinating part of the day was learning all about the history of Damascus. I found out answers to questions I had - like what happened to the Druid Theater (apparently, it was failing financially, and sold to Rite Aid). Some other interesting facts about the Druid: they refused to show R-rated movies; at one time you couldn't enter the theater if you were wearing jeans(!); and Rite Aid destroyed a historic mural that was on a wall inside the building.

Two speakers - Renee Jackson and Dan King - talked about their ancestors in Damascus. Renee Jackson brought other family members to the event, and mentioned that her family's farm was on Oak Drive. The farm is now the site of the John T. Baker MS and the Damascus Recreation Center.

In addition to that interesting fact, the past of landmarks such as Tom and Ray's Restaurant, the Weis Markets, and Damascus ES and Damascus High School were revealed. For example, did you know that the sites of Tom and Ray's, and the fitness center between SunTrust and Burger King, used to belong to historic houses?

Speaking of houses, tune in to the Robert Dyer Channel this morning at www.RobertDyer.net to watch an exclusive video of Dan King describing an 1800s-era Damascus home. What it looked like, what it was made of, the building materials, and more.

Besides the VFD's fire engine, there were vintage John Deere and Farmall tractors - some actually working, pulling hayrides around the IWLA grounds.

On the way back to downtown Damascus, the view coming around the bend on Mullinix Road is one of the great ones that might make you gasp - like the one of Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance further down Ridge Road. Another reminder that we need to do all we can to preserve the natural beauty of this area without Big Government interference.

Stay tuned for more video and photos from this great event!