Over the years, folks who have attended the Fourth of July Celebrations in Port Royal, Virginia have experienced Independences Days like no other. The event ran twenty years until the COVID closed the venue in 2020. Bonnie Cannon has been a living history interpreter and volunteer each of these years and serves as Vice- President of Historic Port Royal one of the sponsors of this event.
Bonnie is the daughter of Maynard and Mae Elliott of Bowling Green. When Bonnie was a child, her parents, brothers, Kenneth and David, and sister Cynthia resided in a brick home built by her father and grandfather, Floyd Hampton Elliott, on Route 2 north of town. Bonnie has lived in Caroline all of her life and attended Bowling Green schools until her senior year when she transferred to James Monroe High School and graduated in 1971. After earning an associate degree from Germanna Community College she attended Strayer College. In her position as a computer specialist at The Naval Surface Weapons Center in Dahlgren, she worked with networking and data lease management. These experiences provided her with the opportunity to work with Satellite Systems for 39 years.
In the late 1960’s, Bonnie worked for Dr. Don Verne in his Rexall Drug Store on Main Street in Bowling Green. In addition, Bonnie worked for eight years in an antique shop in Fredericksburg City. Her interest in Colonial America increased as she learned more about local history, early lore, antiques and collectables. When not participating in re-enactments and volunteering in numerous venues, she and Clyde babysit their loving grandson. Bonnie is married to Clyde Cannon. Their daughter, Jessica and her husband, John Potter, have a son Samuel who is the delight of their grandparents’ eyes. Jessica and her family reside at “The Campbell House” in the Sparta area of Caroline County.
“Living History Day” was the highlight event of Caroline County in 2005. Bonnie was Co-Chair for the venue held on the Courthouse Green. Kim Park, Mayor of the Town, wrote a note of thanks saying, “your historical knowledge and dedication to re-enacting are impressive. The community and I deeply appreciate the tireless work you have contributed to help the Town of Bowling Green”. Town Council presented Bonnie with a “Resolution” for her service in December 2005.
She planned, organized, and participated in the day’s events showcasing regional Native Americans, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Civil War, and cultural lifestyles. One delightful event that day was the performance of the 2nd South Carolina String Band from Gettysburg, PA. Joe Ewers, band leader, wrote a thank you letter to Bonnie mentioning the “lovely time they had in Bowling Green, and how they have often spoke enthusiastically with friends and family about the tea that you folks put on and how much they learned from the experience”.
In 2003, Bonnie participated in “Civil War Day” sponsored by The Fredericksburg Christian School. Ms. Pam Catlin, 5th grade teacher, thanked Bonnie for her demonstration of Civil War cooking. The weather conditions that day made it impossible to cook on an open fire, so the group moved indoors for the demonstration and Ms. Catlin remarked, “Thank you for giving us clarity to know how to respond to “changing weather conditions”. One 5th grader wrote, “Thanks for teaching us cool things.”
Special Event in Port Royal, Virginia
Bonnie travelled to George Washington’s Birthplace in Westmoreland County numerous times to volunteer in special programs celebrating “President’s Day and George Washington’s birthday” and on other special occasions. As a costumed volunteer, Bonnie demonstrated open hearth cooking in the outdoor kitchen.
For many years, H.E.L.P. (Historic Economic Leadership Panel) of Bowling Green, sponsored the Christmas Candlelight Tours of Homes. The December event featured properties in Bowling Green with holiday decorations and docents who highlighted each residence. Over the years, Bonnie participated in those holiday celebrations serving as a docent in the homes on this tour. One of the oldest homes in town is The Dickinson Estate, located on south Main Street. It hosted an all- day living history experience and Bonnie was there, lending her expertise with camp-life tours, and with food preparation, along with 19th century comedy and fashion. This event was also sponsored by H.E.L.P.
A momentous occasion for Virginia and for the county occurred on April 28, 2007, with the Commemoration of America’s 400th Anniversary of Jamestown 1607-2007. It was a ‘living history day” in which Bonnie planned, organized, and participated in the historic Village of Port Royal.
In October of 2000, Bonnie Cannon worked in “Open Fire Food Preparation” on the first Saturday in the Garden Tour Program held at Historic Kenmore and the Mary Washington House.in the city Fredericksburg, Virginia. She prepared food over an open fire using period methods and materials. Visitors experienced cooking the old fashion way by observing meals being prepared in the Colonial Kitchen Gardens at the Mary Washington House.
The above mentioned are just a few of the many events Bonnie has spent hundreds of volunteer hours in planning, organizing and participating in order to make history come alive. Her living history demonstrations were and continue to be well received by those in attendance. Bonnie’s expertise and dedication in “behind the scenes” planning, has allowed each event to become a grand success.
March 2022
Bonnie Elliott Cannon and
Dale Brittle, Secretary
Caroline Historical Society
Gildale1966@gmail.com