By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Tour groups wandered American Village as historical figures came to life to explain the history of the American flag on Flag Day.

Betsy Ross and her daughters taught guests from Shelby County and other counties how to cut five-point stars.

“The flag reminds us of all the good things this republic is,” Betsy Ross said.

Robert Dimmock visited the American Village on June 14 with the senior group from Eastside Baptist Church in Cullman. With the tornado devastation in Cullman, Dimmock said it was nice to come somewhere that’s still all in one piece.

Betty Adams organized the seniors’ trip to Montevallo, and she said their church building was demolished by a tornado, and all buildings were a “total loss.”

Beth House and her 3-year-old daughter, Mary Elizabeth, joined the seniors to tour the American Village.

“I teach school, and I have to find things to entertain a 3-year-old,” House said as she and Mary Elizabeth cut out paper stars. “They’ve done a good job here keeping her attention.”

American Village Tour Guide and Interpreter Jennifer Lee introduced President George Washington by asking the group to refrain from asking when he died or where to find a good place to eat in Montevallo.

In an interactive monologue about his home, Mount Vernon, and his life on the farm, President Washington told the attendees that the most popular question people ask is about his teeth, which were made from the tusk of a walrus and from a cow, horse and hippopotamus.

“No, I do not (have wooden teeth),” he said. “Would you like a mouthful of splinters?”