By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – On Monday, Feb. 17, the country celebrated the 293rd birthday of George Washington, the United States’ first president.

The American Village in Montevallo was one of the many places across the country celebrating the Presidents’ Day holiday. The event is not only a celebration of George Washington, but also for American Village itself as the land on Highway 119 where American Village is located was purchased on Washington’s Birthday.

Activities celebrating the holiday lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors got to enlist in Washington’s Continental Army, met famous figures like John Adams, watched a puppet show and played various games. George and Martha Washington greeted guests at noon and shared dessert with patrons.

Melanie Poole, a communications officer with American Village, emphasized how important Presidents’ Day is to American Village.

“Presidents’ Day at American Village is always special as our guests come to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, the father of our country,” Poole said. “It is always a family-fun event, particularly as President Washington and his wife Martha come out on the steps to greet their guests. Everyone sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to George and comes inside to share birthday cake with him.”

The event also serves as an important reminder of American history.

“As a nation, we’re suffering from a national illiteracy of our own history as Americans, and I think there is a thirst now as we approach the 250th birthday of our country, a thirst to know our nation’s history, to revitalize our patriotism and (to) understand what it means to be an American,” Poole said.

Poole added that the American Village is designed to enrich visitors’ appreciation and understanding of America as a whole.

“When you arrive at the American Village, you are thrust right into the scenes of the founding of our country,” Poole said. “You are a participant in those activities. So you’re not learning through classroom research, lectures or anything of that sort. You learn by doing. And for a lot of children and adults alike, that is the best way to learn American history.”

For more information on the American Village, visit Americanvillage.org.