Revisiting Somerset and Bedord Counties: The Whiskey Rebellion

Back in 1994 when I was still in high school, my hometown of Berlin, PA decided to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Whiskey Rebellion. Plans were made for a big festival. The event was to include, among other things, an essay contest for the school kids, a race, and of course a parade. I was in the Berlin Brothersvalley High School Marching Band at that time, so I would march in it. This was to be a very big deal. KDKA even came out all the way from Pittsburgh to do a story on the upcoming festival.

Since this was to be the first annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival in Berlin, there was no footage around from prior years. Thus, on the day that the KDKA reporters showed up, a “fake parade” was staged for their story. A portion of our main street was shut down as our high school marching band advanced down the road, playing patriotic music. Some spectators lined the road, dressed in historically accurate costumes. Balloons were released. It promised to be a festive occasion.

This Wikipedia entry on the Whiskey Rebellion does not mention Berlin, PA at all. However, my town claimed ownership of the this uprising because one of the instigators, Robert Philson, lived in our town. Also, most of the other towns in Somerset County have an annual event for which they are known, at least locally, so of course Berlin needed to have one as well. This festival was to be a recurring function, and it would be our claim to fame. Unfortunately, the celebration became smaller and smaller each year, and I honestly don’t even know if still occurs.

I was reminded of the Whiskey Rebellion festival after this weekend’s trip to Bedford County when I saw a brochure advertising the hotel where George Washington stayed when he came out to our area to put down the rebellion. Back in 1794, Somerset County did not exist, so Berlin was a part of Bedford County, and Bedford itself was the county seat of that large area. Like Somerset County, Bedford County is eager to welcome tourists and eager to promote their link to the Rebellion.

In 1994, I enthusiastically wrote a piece for the Whiskey Rebellion essay contest. I didn’t win, to my surprise. I didn’t read any of the champion entries, so I don’t know what criteria the judges contemplated. I am pretty sure that my submission missed the point of the reason for the celebration. This is okay. Were I to re-enter the contest today, I still would not win. Today I feel that anniversary was celebrated mainly to bring pride and a sense of community to a small town that ordinarily would not merit a story on KDKA.