A May Day Celebration on Chambers Prairie
While war clouds gathered on the horizon, the citizens of Olympia took to the countryside to celebrate May Day with a traditional picnic, Maypole, and dancing.
Wednesday last being the 1st day of May, was duly celebrated by our people according to ancient usage and custom. A more lovely day could not have been desired, being both clear and pleasant. Early in the morning, the district school, with their teachers, Prof. Lippincott and Miss D. Phillips, left town for the prairie, accompanied by Dr. Eggars' brass band, and a large concourse of our citizens. A beautiful spot had been selected for the day's entertainment on Chambers' Prairie, five miles out, having a fine view around. The company were joined by the school from the prairie, with their teacher, Miss M. Lowe, and a large delegation of people from Tumwater and the surrounding country. Soon after arriving, a Maypole was raised, bearing aloft the stars and stripes; and after songs and music, the Queen of May—Miss R. Willard—was crowned. The day's enjoyments were in the good old games of ball and quoits, jumping, blind-man, throwing grace hoops, carriage and horseback riding, and other games and sports. At noon, all gathered together and enjoyed a splendid picnic dinner. At an early hour, all left the grounds for their several homes. In the evening, a May Dance came off at the Washington Hall.
“A Maypole was raised, bearing aloft the stars and stripes; and after songs and music, the Queen of May—Miss R. Willard—was crowned.”
This rare moment of public leisure in 1861 captures a community enjoying a traditional spring festival just weeks after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Today, Chambers Prairie is a residential area in Olympia, but the tradition of community-led school and local gatherings persists in the region's park and festival culture.
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