Meet Some of the Participants

Norm Taylor is the founder and director of the Lawrence County History Festival. Norm has been a Civil War reenactor for many years, and also reenacts as Buffalo Bill Cody. He was co-founder, along with his wife Annette, of the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers, and he also founded the Lawrence County Greys (an 1860's baseball team). He is a member of the 27th Indiana Infantry, 13th Mississippi Infantry, and the Leatherwood Sharpshooters ( Civil War militia). Norm was also in the movie "Gods and Generals"; footage from reenactments Norm has been in throughout the years has been used on the History Channel. He hosts 2 regular tv programs, ass0ciated with Bedford North Lawrence High School, which can be seen on local cable and AT&T U-verse, called "Indiana History Project" and "Indiana Talent Project". Norm is a member of the History Festival Committee, and is on the Education and the Fundraising Sub-committees. He and his wife travel to Civil War reenactments in Indiana and nearby states, and also volunteer as living historians in the Village at Spring Mill State Park.

Amber Ankney has been a participant in the History Festival since 2007, since her days as a student at Bedford North Lawrence High School. Amber portrays the pioneer teacher in the "One Room School House" that has been erected every year. After researching the role, Amber took over the school from Angie Timan and made the exhibit her own.

Aaron Baker is the son of Greg Baker and has been a participant in the History Festival since 2007. Aaron has experience reenacting Western era and Gangster era. Aaron also has been involved with a variety of drama productions in his high school and community theater, as well as portraying parts for the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society's annual "ghost walk". He has participated in volunteer work in the Village at Spring Mill State Park as well. Aaron has also helped out at the festival by working in the Food Booth, and on the School Day by helping teach the kids how to do Civil War era dancing.

Daniel Baker is the son of Greg Baker, and has been a participant in the History Festival since 2010. At that event, Daniel worked in the food booth with his father and brother, Aaron. Daniel also has been involved in a variety of dramatic productions for his high school and community theater, and portrayed a part in the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society's annual "ghost walk". He has also volunteered for Spring Mill State Park in the Village.

Greg Baker has participated in the Festival for many years as a reenactor of the Civil War period (military and civilian), western era and gangster era. He was a member of the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers and the Lawrence County Greys (Civil War era baseball team). Greg is also a musician, playing the guitar, and sings quite well. He has a strong background in bluegrass and gospel music in this area. He has volunteered in the Village at Spring Mill State Park, and has performed at the local community theater. He also has portrayed parts at the annual "ghost walk" for the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society. He is a member of the Lawrence County History Festival committee, and is treasurer. He is a member of the following sub-committees for the History Festival: Food Committee and Ball Committee.

Stephen Bowman, the founder of the Bedford College of Lace Making, is a repeat demonstrator at the History Festival as well as other historical re-enactments. Stephen is an avid lacemaker, mastering tatting, bobbin lace, crochet lace, lace knitting, filet netting, lucet and pulled and drawn thread lacemaking. He volunteers regularly in the Village at Spring Mill State Park. He was previous webmaster for this site. Stephen loves to teach anyone interested in learning to make lace the old fashioned way... by hand. So come by his booth and you can learn to do a simple pattern of bobbin lace.

Chase Cleveland is the grandson of Marilyn and Don Cleveland and has been a participant of the History Festival/Powwow for several years. Although Chase is still in school, he can be seen performing on the tribal drums, performing at the shoot outs in the western shows and helping out in any way he can.

Marilyn Cleveland is one of the original participants of the Lawrence County History Festival. Since 2010, Marilyn has taken the lead in organizing the Powwow part of the History Festival. She has already begun recruiting the people who will be dancing, singing and playing the drum for the audience. Also Marilyn is the Head Elder of the Cherokee Tribe at the Indiana Indian Movement, at Indiana University and the Native American Communication Center of Bloomington. She also teaches Native American Hand Loom Beading techniques and is highly respected among her peers. She is a member of the History Festival/Powwow Committee, and is over the Powwow portion of the event.

Heather Couch has participated in the Lawrence County History Festival since 2008. Her area of reenacting is the Civil War period. She also has been a living historian/reenactor at the Village in Spring Mill State Park and the Gallery Walk in Bedford. Heather is a member of the History Festival Committee, and is a member of the following sub-committees: Food Committee, Ball Committee, and Fundraising Committee. Heather is also the unofficial "secretary" of the committee, taking minutes and e-mailing them to members. She is also responsible for making our flyers this year.

Rowena Cross-Najafi has been participating in the Festival since 2008, as a representative of the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society (of which she is President), and also demonstrates lace making at the festival. She is the founder of the Old Jail Art Center in Bedford, IN. Rowena is also vice president of the Lawrence County Art Association, a committee member at Bedford Revitalization Inc., and a member of the local Rotary Club. Besides being a member of many committees in the community of Bedford, Rowena is also a knitter, a crocheter, a tatter and a lacemaker.

Brooke Fedrick has been participating in the Festival for the past several years, helping out in the one room school house by teaching the children the games that pioneer children used to play. Brooke is also an excellent knitter and plays the guitar.

Christian Fleenor has participated at the History Festival several years, portraying a Red Cross medic/soldier from World War II. Christian can be found in camp with his buddies or else out on the battlefield in combat against the dreaded Axis soldiers.

Diana Gossert has participated for several years at the Lawrence County History Festival, portraying Lucinda Burbank Morton, the wife of Gov. Oliver P. Morton (who was the governor of Indiana during the Civil War). She and her husband, Jim, who portrays Gov. Morton, travel to many Civil War era events around the state of Indiana throughout the year, including our local state park, Spring Mill. Diana has also learned the ancient art of lace making.

James Gossert has participated in the Lawrence County History Festival for several years, portraying Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton, the governor of the state of Indiana during the years of the Civil War. He and his wife, Diana, portraying the Mortons, travel to many Civil War era events around the state of Indiana throughout the year, including our local state park, Spring Mill. Jim is also a caller for Civil War era dances and balls.

Brian Hart is a World War II re-enactor representing Easy Co., 505th PIR 82ns Airborne Division, and was new to the 2010 Lawrence County History Festival. Brian is from Tennessee and gave a great presentation for the Allied forces. We are all hoping to see him again in 2011.

Doug "Doc" Hill has been doing living history reenactments for almost 50 years beginning with Civil War era, but quickly moving backwards in time to the early pioneer era. Sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's Doug bought out the inventory of a retiring reenactor, who portrayed a Revolutionary War doctor. Since then Doc has been demonstrating his "medical practice" to young and old alike. However, be warned -- he likes to practice on unsuspecting volunteers, usually something involving blood letting or amputations. Doug is a member of the History Festival Committee.

Sue Hill has participated in the History Festival for several years as a Revolutionary War era re-enactor. She is the wife of Doug Hill and the aunt of Stephen Bowman. Sue helps "Doc Hill" out when he needs it, and also spends time at Stephen's lacemaking booth.

Kelly Huntzinger has participated in the History Festival for several years as a Civil War civilian reenactor. She has also volunteered at the Village at Spring Mill State Park as a living historian, and was a member of the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers. She travels to various Civil War reenactments in the Indiana area when she is able to. Kelly is the daughter of Norm and Annette Taylor, and is the mother of three children, Mia Nicol, Brynna Nicol and Aiden Pridemore, who also love to come in period attire and be a part of the festivities. Kelly is a member of the History Festival Committee, and is on the following sub-committees: Food Sub-committee, Ball Sub-committee, and Fundraising Sub-committee.

Kyle Huntzinger has participated in the History Festival as a Civil War reenactor (military and civilian). He was a member of the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers and the Lawrence County Greys (1860's baseball team). At the 2010 event, Kyle helped with keeping the parking organized at the festival. Kyle is the son of Norm and Annette Taylor.

Angie Johnson is a member of the Indiana Indian Movement and a long time participant of the Lawrence County History Festival. Angie can often be found in the Native American section of the festival, and beginning in 2010, she has helped Marilyn organize and operate the Powwow half of the event. Angie is a member of the History Festival/Powwow committee, and works organizing the Powwow.

Wayne "J. R." Johnson has participated for several years at the Lawrence County History Festival. J. R. has been singing and performing for the crowds with historic ballads and story telling for many years. He reenacts as a Civil War era civilian. We all look forward to seeing him every year he can make it out to the park to perform for us.

Michael Jarod Kerr is a student of Bedford North Lawrence High School and has been participating in the Lawrence County History Festival since 2009. He is involved with reenacting a young Confederate soldier named "Leon." He has been very involved in the School Day, helping the school kids muster into the Confederate Army, and teaching them drills.

Little Bear is a member of the Indiana Indian Movement and a long time participant of the Lawrence County History Festival. Little Bear can often be found in the Native American section of the festival, and beginning in 2010 helped Marilyn organize the Powwow half of the festival. Little Bear is a member of the History Festival/Powwow committee, helping to organize the Powwow.

Mat Miller has been participating in the History Festival for many years. He has been a Civil War reenactor for many years, both military and civilian. He has done first person impressions, including Abraham Lincoln, John Dillinger and Wyatt Earp. He was a member of the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers and the Lawrence County Greys (1860's baseball team). During past festivals Matt has been in charge of the shoot- outs at the O. K. Corral and the "John Dillinger Shoot-Out". Mat was in the movie "Gods and Generals", and footage from reenactments he has been in has been used by the History Channel. Mat volunteers for the Village at Spring Mill State Park as a living historian, and played parts in the local community theater and for the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society's annual "ghost walk". He is a member of the History Festival Committee, and is on the Fundraising Sub-committee.

Shannon Pickett participated in the 2010 History Festival, helping Stephen Bowman at his lacemaking booth, and also took most of the photos for the 2010 event which appear on this website. Shannon is a volunteer living historian at Spring Mill State Park's Village. She reenacts as a Civil War era civilian.

Brad Preston is a repeat participant of the History Festival. Brad reenacts a buffalo hunter and, with his friend, recreates a buffalo hunter's camp. Brad attends Buffalo Hunter events from Texas up to Montana,is where he demonstrates with his reproduction copy of an authentic rifle used in the 1870's. Brad is from the Naperville, IL area.

Doug Roberts participated at the 2010 History Festival, reenacting Joshua Tabor of the 31st Indiana, his great-great-great grandfather. Doug is relatively new to reenacting, but has a great love of history. He also enjoys "Hit and Miss" gas engines, which he loves to work on and demonstrate to children as he lectures about how farms work with them. Doug also reenacts as a Confederate soldier providing an escort to Mrs. Stonewall Jackson (Lori, who in real life is his wife).

Lori Roberts has participated in the History Festival since 2010 as Mrs. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. She also has organized and conducted the Ladies Tea at the Festival for 2010 and will again in 2011. Lori also portrays other historical women of influence. She attends many conferences on first person impressions, and travels to other reenactments or venues to do these first person impressions.

Pete Rollett is a repeat participant at the History Festival. Pete is often found portraying a buffalo hunter, with his friend, and recreates their camp. Pete attends Buffalo Hunter events from Texas up to Montana where he demonstrates with his reproduction copy of an authentic rifle used in the 1870's. Pete is from Attica, Indiana.

Annette Taylor has participated in the History Festival for many years. Her area of reenacting is the Civil War, as a civilian. In 2011, she will be portraying Clara Barton during the Civil War period. Annette was a co-founder, along with her husband Norm, of the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers. She has planned and hosted ladies teas at the Festival in the past, with a Fashion Show of the Civil War period, and also helped to plan a Civil War era ball a few years ago. Annette volunteers as a living historian at the Village in Spring Mill State Park. She has also volunteered for the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society's annual "ghost walk" and Gallery Walk, and helps Norm with research for his television program, "Indiana History Project", and takes photos to be used on the program. Annette is a member of the History Festival committee, and is on the following sub-committees: Food Committee, Ball Committee and Fundraising Committee.

Angie Timan has participated for many years in the History Festival. She has portrayed Rosie the Riveter in recent years at the festival, as well as at other World War II events. She also has done Civil War reenacting as a civilian and many other time periods. She originally started the "One Room Schoolhouse" at the History Festival, which one of her former students took over from her. Angie is very active in the local community theater, and also volunteers in the Village at Spring Mill State Park. She has also portrayed parts in the annual "ghost walk" for the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society. She is on the History Festival Committee, and is on the following sub-committees: Food Sub-committee, Ball Sub-committee and Education Sub-committee.

Dorothy Timan is the daughter of Angie Timan, and has participated at the History Festival for several years. Dorothy often portrays a young pioneer woman chained to a bobbin lace pillow working hard on making lace to support her pioneer family. In all actuality, Dorothy is a student lace maker and has been featured on FOX41 news, making lace for the morning show in the summer of 2008. During the 2010 event, Dorothy switched her attire to the American Depression/World War II era and helped out with the John Dillinger hold-up. Dorothy has also been involved in dramatic productions for her local community theater.

Maggie Timan is the daughter of Angie Timan and is a devoted reenactor. Maggie has portrayed Annie Oakley at the 2008 and 2009 History Festivals in the western section of the event. For the 2010 festival Maggie moved into the 20th century and portrayed "Mitzi the bank teller" for the John Dillinger shootout. Besides working at the History Festival, Maggie is often found volunteering at the local Spring Mill State Park portraying a Civil War era civilian in the historic village. Maggie is also involved at her high school and community theater in various dramatic productions.

Mark Toliver is a repeat participant at the Lawrence County History Festival. Mark and his wife Alice have a booth in the vendor section of the event, selling honey. Mark has experience as a western era reenactor, and has also done gangster era reenacting.

Levi Weakley has participated for several years in the History Festival, portraying an allied soldier from World War II. Levi can be found in their camp with his buddy Christian or else out on the battlefield combating the dreaded Axis soldiers. Levi is also the son of Dave Weakley.

Dave Weakley has participated for several years at the Lawrence Co. History Festival, portraying an allied soldier from World War II for many years. Dave can usually be found in the Allied encampment drilling the troops, talking about the life of an American soldier or else out on the battlefield leading his troops against the Axis forces.

James Woody is a wood carver and has been participating in the History Festival for many years. Jim displays wood carving techiniques available to the pioneer settlers of Indiana, and also portrays a Civil War era wood craftsman. He is also a regular volunteer as a living historian at Spring Mill State Park's Village.

Sharon Woody has participated for several years at the History Festival with her husband, Jim. She reenacts as a civilian woman of the Civil War period, and has also done reenacting for earlier time periods. She volunteers as a living historian at the Village in Spring Mill State Park also.

Joe Zilafro has participated in the History Festival for several years. He portrays a German "SS" soldier of the World War II period. His wife, Lara, is also involved in WWII reenacting, and they travel to many World War II and mid-twentieth century themed events and festivals around the state.

Lara Zilafro has participated in the History Festival for several years. She is a World War II era re-enactor who bravely portrays a German civilian woman. Lara's husband , Joe, is also involved in WWII reenacting. They travel to many World War II and mid-twentieth century themed events and festivals around Indiana.

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