When the TRAIL OF THE LONESOME
PINE OUTDOOR DRAMA had its premier performance in August
1964, (after organizing in ’63), the natural slope of the
transformed “potato patch” adjacent to the June Tolliver
House easily accommodated lawn chairs for seating. It was an
economical mode of seating as well as comfortable. However, they
were not permanent and could be somewhat “rickety”. In damp
weather the legs of the lawn chairs would sink in the chips and
become off-balance. It wasn’t long before the time came when
they had to be replaced.
So in the late 60’s wooden benches
with backs were designed and built on the site by Board members,
Cast members and Volunteers. A successful campaign raised enough
money for the materials. The new benches gave a more permanent
atmosphere to the theater plus they were relatively comfortable.
They were sturdy in many ways, but subject to weather damage.
After numerous years rotting of the bench’s wooden legs in the
dirt and wood chips covering the grounds of the theater became a
problem of maintenance, and splinters began to raise their “ugly
sticky points”.
Now, after about forty years of
“patching” and repairs, the time has come to replace the
“splintered” benches with a permanent weather resistant seating
that will last for many years to come. This would also allow the
theater to be utilized from early spring through late fall,
weather permitting, for other events such as concerts,
festivals, children’s theater, mountain music evenings, etc..
