It seems many ambitious, well-known people come from the sturdy stock of Irish that populated this particular area, perhaps the reason for it being, like, genealogy central, a place where people are proud to find their roots.
At the Ulster American Folk Park, these people are reminded that they share their homeland with greats such as Thomas Mellon (his son, Andrew, went on to become the richest man in the world) and Presidents Clinton, Woodrow Wilson and Ulysses S. Grant, who have roots or came directly from County Tyrone.
Most of those showcased throughout the Park went on to become quite wealthy. Sponsorship from their descendents helped to create this complete village that is as authentic as it can possibly be. No expense was spared as the homes of great men were moved and rebuilt piece by piece from their original location - including America - to be placed in the Park. The only home that started life in the Park is that of the aforementioned Mellon. It was around his boyhood home that the Park was created. All the buildings represent some important place that, when grouped together, tell the whole story of Irish emigration.
Hours seem to drift by as I walked through the Park following the little map they give you. I strolled down a country road wondering what would be revealed around the next corner. Perhaps a stone cottage with a woman seated out front working a spinning wheel. Perhaps a downtown street in 1850 where I would enter the travel office and go down to the dock, going inside of a boat to see the bunk that a family of five would call their home for their trip to another country. Perhaps the kitchen of a farmhouse where the woman baking the authentic country bread would offer me a piece. Perhaps a bog where I could jump up and down, watching it spring back from under my feet.
There was the river house, many other stone houses, a Victorian house, a ranch house along with barns, bogs, gardens, all types of stores, post offices, I could go on and on. It was a very full and satisfying day.