Mary Swim, a “Blue Backer” from Morgantown, WV claimed her carriage ride on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Her donation to the “Restore the Blue Sulphur Spring Pavilion” Kickstarter Campaign entitled her to a carriage ride which was provided in great style by Raymond and Lynn Tuckwiller. The Pavilion, built in 1838, is all that is left of the Blue Sulphur Springs Resort which once served a president and other notables as a fashionable summer destination.

The Tuckwillers chose a Brewster small “Victoria” carriage for the ride. It was built in New York City and completed on November 3, 1907, for a Madame Gauthier. Each of its numbered parts are still intact and it sports a new coat of paint and upholstery like the original. This carriage has an exciting history. After serving Madame Gauthier, it spent some time providing rides in New York’s Central Park; as a campaign vehicle for Walter Mondale; and was used in a movie “Love at First Bite” starring George Hamilton as a vampire. The Tuckwillers bought it at auction and had it restored.

The “Victoria” was pulled by “Traveller,” a quarter horse, who bears some resemblance to his namesake who was born near the Blue, and “Blue”, a Morgan horse, who is definitely brown. They wore light duty show harness with lovely brass trim and small “nose gays” in their bridles.

Ms. Swim and her friend, Norma Bowyer, came prepared for the ride with lovely hats. Mary went a bit farther with a period dress in red and a red and black parasol. She said, “I found the Blue Sulphur Spring Pavilion a couple of years ago while Norma and I were just driving around. Then I saw the face book page about the restoration and then the Kickstarter Campaign. I love carriage rides so this seemed meant to be.”

Raymond Tuckwiller announced their arrival with the small horn, playing “Coming” and later demonstrated several carriage calls on the long horn. He played “Change Horses” and “Get Ready” noting that relay stations would hear these calls and have horses waiting for the stages and could change teams in as little as 2 minutes.

While the KickStarter Campaign was successful and has been completed, the effort to “Save the Blue” still needs the support of generous donors like Mary Swim. Please go to the facebook page www.facebook.com/BlueSulphurSprings or call or visit the Greenbrier Historical Society to make a donation.