Fifty-five guests as members of Friends of Craik-Patton for 2015 were feted at the Annual Picnic on the front lawn of the famous Craik-Patton House in Charleston on Sat., August 8. The House is the Headquarters of the Colonial Dames in West Virginia; the Colonial Dames in West Virginia (NSCDA-WV) were instrumental in saving the 1834 house from demolition in 1970.

Dames Picnic Co-Chairs Becky Steorts and Laura Lee Albert were assisted by committee members Paul Zuros (House Director), Jessica Graney (Craik-Patton, Inc. President), Bonnie Brothers, and Marie and John Nesius. Prior to the picnic, a Ben Franklin actor from the West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! program delighted his audience with his wit and knowledge of colonial America.

Guests were wined and dined on the front lawn and enjoyed the lovely cream hydrangeas arranged by Laura Lee Albert. Guests also enjoyed a World War II exhibit in the Conference Room organized by Director Zuros who also offered private house tours to Friends members.

The sponsors of the picnic were Virginia and Shawn George, Jessica and Patrick Graney, Jeanne and Stephen Grubb, Anna and Tom Horn, Ellen and Henry Setliff, and Becky and Jim Steorts.

The Friends of Craik-Patton group connects people to America’s history as members help build the future by preserving the Craik-Patton House, the Ruffner Log House and The Elms Well House along with the artifacts of the Kanawha Valley in the state of West Virginia.

(Click on images to enlarge)