The Long Way Home - Outdoor Historic Drama

By Susan M. Thigpen © 1985

Issue: June, 1985

In the summer of 1755, a young pioneer mother by the name of Mary Draper Ingles was captured by a band of Shawnee Indians and taken back with them to their village in what is now the state of Ohio. She managed to escape and walked 850 miles, following rivers, all the way home, months of a torturous journey. But, she made it - through freezing water, snow - and, was at the point of starvation when she arrived.

From June 20 to September 1, [1985] Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 8:30 pm, you can watch the recreation of this incredible true story in the outdoor historical drama, THE LONG WAY HOME at Radford, Virginia. It is in the Ingles, Homestead Amphitheatre at Mary Ingles's homesite and grave.

Tickets are: Adults, $4.50; Children under 12, $2.00. Preferred seating is $1.00 extra. There are special discount prices for groups. For reservations call 703-639-0679 or write (make-check payable to):

THE LONG WAY HOME
P.O. Box 711
Radford, VA 24141.

There is overnight parking available for theater guests traveling in self-contained trailers at a nominal fee.

The location is Exit 34 off of Interstate 81, then 14 mile on Route 232 towards Radford. The box office opens at 7:00 pm the nights of the play.

This will be the 15th season for THE LONG WAY HOME. It will be directed this year by Diahn Simonini of Farmville, Virginia.

One point of special interest about the play is that Mary Lewis Jefferies of Radford, Virginia plays the part of Elenor Hardin Draper, Mary Ingles mother. What is so interesting is that she is playing the role of her own 4th great-grandmother! (Mary Jefferies is a direct descendant of Mary Ingles.)

So, not only will you be entertained by a thoroughly authentic recreation of this entertaining historical event, but you will be watching a living link to Mary Draper Ingles herself!