Dunbar and Perryopolis boroughs are weaving history lessons through the traditional offerings of their autumn festivals, and both boroughs have much history to boast. In Perryopolis, there’s the Washington Grist Mill, a historic distillery. We can’t forget the old bakery, either. The grist mill was purchased by our first president, George Washington, in 1770. These days it is the centerpiece of Pioneer Days, being held next weekend. In Dunbar, there’s the historic post office, which the historical society recently acquired and plans to make its headquarters. It will be the site of a historical display during today’s Dunbar Community Fest. Dunbar is also the home to many coke ovens, long closed and not in operating condition. The historical society has an agenda to bring back a coke oven in order to show its historical significance to Fayette County. The Perryopolis Area Historical Society and the Dunbar Historical Society have both worked hard to bring the importance of history back into their communities. They do this not only through their annual festivals but through the abundance of ongoing projects they sponsor throughout the year — be it a cleaning day at a historical site or going into an area school and telling young students the history of our communities. The Perryopolis society worked for years to get the grist mill back in shape. Now, because of that hard work, anyone interested in local history can tour the facility. While the upcoming festivals — the last two of the 2006 festival season in the Fay-West area — will highlight the communities’ histories, there will also be food, fun and entertainment. We are fortunate to have such well-planned and interesting festivals highlighting the Fay-West area’s uniqueness. Now it’s your chance to get out there and sample some of the great festival flavors. Take a trip to Dunbar today and Perryopolis next weekend — you’ll be glad you did.

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