Historic Colonial Hotel Hosts Memorial Day Service

Historic Colonial Hotel
Hosts Memorial Day Services

MEYERSDALE – The Historic Colonial Hotel hosted Meyersdale’s Memorial Day Luminary Service and Heritage Celebration on Sunday, May 29, 2005. This was the first event held on the hotel’s grand in more than 40 years.

The event began at 6:30 p.m. with tours of the historic Levi Deal Mansion at 301 Meyers Avenue. Hundreds of residents turned out to tour the home, currently under renovation by its owners, Fred Dickson and Lara Whelan, of Laurel, Maryland.

At 8:00, the crowd gathered at the historic Western Maryland Railway station at 529 Main Street. As beautiful luminaries lined the thoroughfare, participants processed down Main Street with light sticks in their hands. An American Legion color guard and a lone bagpiper led the procession, which concluded with the ringing of the town’s many church bells.

Kathy Bisko, Meyersdale Main Street program manager, led the ceremony on the hotel’s front porch, which was covered in flags and bunting. The program included inspirational and patriotic songs, a prayer, and the unveiling of the hotel’s National Register plaque.

Beginning in 1947, huge crowds gathered in front of the hotel to watch the coronation of Maple Queens. The event moved elsewhere as the hotel declined in the 1960s. This Memorial Day event marks the rebirth of the hotel as Meyersdale’s ceremonial center.


Historic Colonial Hotel Hosts Memorial Day Services MEYERSDALE – The Historic Colonial Hotel hosted Meyersdale’s Memorial Day Luminary Service and Heritage Celebration on Sunday, May 29, 2005. This was the first event held on the hotel’s grand in more than 40 years. The event began at 6:30 p.m. with tours of the historic Levi Deal Mansion at 301 Meyers Avenue. Hundreds of residents turned out to tour the home, currently under renovation by its owners, Fred Dickson and Lara Whelan, of Laurel, Maryland. At 8:00, the crowd gathered at the historic Western Maryland Railway station at 529 Main Street. As beautiful luminaries lined the thoroughfare, participants processed down Main Street with light sticks in their hands. An American Legion color guard and a lone bagpiper led the procession, which concluded with the ringing of the town’s many church bells. Kathy Bisko, Meyersdale Main Street program manager, led the ceremony on the hotel’s front porch, which was covered in flags and bunting. The program included inspirational and patriotic songs, a prayer, and the unveiling of the hotel’s National Register plaque. Beginning in 1947, huge crowds gathered in front of the hotel to watch the coronation of Maple Queens. The event moved elsewhere as the hotel declined in the 1960s. This Memorial Day event marks the rebirth of the hotel as Meyersdale’s ceremonial center.
(c) 2005 Historic Colonial Hotel, L.L.C.