Celebrating America 250: At the Cabin at Waterloo Blacksmith & Soldiers Day, Jarvis Stone School, Howell, and Paul Revere in Indiana

I've been quite the busy living historian!

From various areas in Michigan to Fort Wayne,  Indiana,  the celebrations and commemorations surrounding the 4th of July and our nation's 250th have been overwhelming!
In fact,  I am including a few June events as well as July in this week's post.

Hope you like it.

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Just a couple weeks before the 4th of July a few of us visited the cabin at Waterloo Farm Museum.  It was Waterloo's Blacksmiths and Soldiers Weekend,  and myself,  my wife,  two of our grandkids,  also Charlotte,  and Jackie donned our 1770s clothing to take part.  

It was almost like a timeline,  for there were plenty of Civil War soldiers encamped throughout the Waterloo Historical Society property,  along with plenty of activity.

But we 18th century folk from 1776 were in the cabin once again~~~

Eight from the 1770s and one from the 1860s

Grandson Liam and granddaughter Addy were fascinated by the blacksmith and enjoyed watching him pound the glowing iron with his hammer.  I've heard of my own great great grandmother  (their 4th great grandmother)  doing the same back in the 1860s in England.  I suppose it was common for kids to watch the blacksmiths do there labor.

I explained to Liam that we could set him up as an apprentice.
He didn't think that was a good idea  (lol).

My grandson and granddaughter relaxed on the cabin house porch.

Jackie worked on her drop spindle.

The drop spindle was used in the 1770s,  though it was an ancient tool largely overshadowed by spinning wheels.  While the spinning wheel was standard for most households,  drop spindles remained widely used for quick,  portable spinning,  or by specific cultural groups and Native communities.

My granddaughter,  Addy,  sewed a doll.
A mom came into the cabin house with her young daughter and asked Addy what she was doing.  Addy told her she was making a doll.  The mom then smiled at her own daughter and said,  "See?  They made their own toys back then."

Charlotte made a chicken pudding pie from an 18th century receipt.

She then baked her pie in the bake house oven - she was very pleased to be able to do this.

It smelled wonderful and tasted even better!
I love the fact that we get to eat foods from the 18th century---cooked in an 18th century manner.  For living historians,  it's as good as it gets!

Meanwhile,  Patty spent her time out in the garden,  weeding.
Being that we do not live close,  we do not get the chance to make it out very often to take care of the kitchen garden as we would like to.

Liam watched his grandmother,  who is known to all of our grandchildren as Nonna.  We are working on Liam to get him to help out a bit more with some of the gardening.

Addy came out to her for a bit.

Tony - Continental Soldier.

Being that many,  many people were interested in the Revolutionary War due to America 250,  Tony was quite the popular fellow to speak to by visitors.

Tom,  who often portrays an 18th century doctor,  was showing and selling period toys.

Civil War artillery shot off their cannons.

My grandson had never heard a cannon before so close and was quite shocked at how loud it was.

Liam did not like being so close to the cannon,  for the booming sound was too loud for his comfort.
This one is from the Civil War period.

The cannon's boom was pretty loud inside as well.
To be honest,  I am surprised none of the window glass in the cabin broke.

Union Civil War soldiers.

Confederate Civil War soldiers.

Throughout the museum grounds were period artisans:

Doug and Sally cane chairs.

This is not a tintype of two guys from the 1880s - I just sorta made it look that way.

Old time string band music.

Here is a decanter set that once belonged to the Realy family - the family that once lived in the farmhouse before it became Waterloo Farm Museum.  The set was originally purchased at the 1893 Chicago World Fair.  It was donated to the Waterloo Farm Museum very recently by Realy descendants - like a home coming.

Going to the cabin at Waterloo Farm Museum is always a favorite for us.  We'll be back in early August for our Lammas Day celebration.

I would like to write about the times I have portrayed Paul Revere during the few weeks surrounding the 4th of July here in 2026.

Since the 250th anniversary of his ride  (last year in 2025),  I have been in somewhat high demand to  "be"  Paul Revere,  so I have been fairly busy,  even this year.  Now,  we all know that Paul Revere had nothing to do with the Declaration of Independence.  Revere was a silversmith and a patriot,  actively involved in revolutionary activities,  especially the year previous - 1775 - when he made his famous ride on the late night of April 18th and the early morning hours of April 19th.

Paul Revere likely participated in celebrations or discussions related to independence in and around the Boston community where he lived,  but that would be the most he would have to do with it.

Being a skilled craftsman  (silversmith),  he would have been considered a part of the colonial middle class,  meaning Paul Revere was generally respected for his work ethic and contributions to the economy.  However,  he would have still been considered as subordinate  (a lower rank,  so to speak)  to the elite class,  which held most political and social power.

But,  because he was a patriot and because of all he did to help the cause,  he was still respected by many in that elite class.

Well,  that suits me just fine,  for I am a working middle class person in my modern life.

Okay,  then,  so it was on June 18th of this year that three of us drove  out to Howell,  Michigan to the Carnegie Library.

This was an America 250 presentation,  and the audience who came to see us were very much into history.  It seems that as 2026 got closer to July 4th,  the more excited people became over our 250th birthday.

Our  "Patriots Presentation"  -  calling for Paul Revere  (yours truly),  Sybil Ludington  (Larissa),  and Ben Franklin  (Bob)  -  was the theme of the day and a good-size crowd of spectators showed up.  It had been quite a while since the three of us presented together - I would say about a year - but we fell into our historical characters with little effort.

Ben Franklin,  Sybil Ludington,  and Paul Revere.

I cannot even describe what an honor it is for us to do such a presentation any chance we can,  whether a special year like 2026 or any time,  but I have to admit,  doing it for America's 250th makes it even more special.

We took one more pic of the three of us before leaving.

I know I say this often,  but it truly is an honor to represent the famous people of the founding generation.  Sadly,  too many people get their historical information from Facebook friends,  pages,  or even Facebook history pages where too often those who believe they know actually don't,  but,  boy,  they write as if they do!  And if you question them,  they attack you.  That's gotta tell you something.  Usually it's these people that are no better than spreading typical media mis-information and not researched truth.  You would be surprised how often people disagree with my researched information.

So now we'll jump up to the Jarvis Stone School event,  which is located in Salem,  Michigan.  This took place on June 27,  and just happened to be another America 250 event.  It was solely based around America 250,  with signs and old time American music from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Multiple matted information boards were set up.

The Plymouth Fife & Drum Corp were there in top form.
I think what I enjoyed the most about this group of high school performers and musicians is that they have kept very busy this year performing for America 250 --- imagine the memories they'll have of this historic year.

The music of the 19th century was also represented with a performance by the Dodworth Saxhorn Band.  Sadly,  I had to leave early and did not get a chance to see them perform.  
For the first time,  Bob / Ben Franklin,  and me / Paul Revere did a presentation without Larissa,  who normally depicts Sybil Ludington  (as seen earlier).  However,  we did have another from the founding generation with us since Larissa could not be there:

Tom,  wearing red in the center,  did a fine job speaking as Dr.  Benjamin Rush.
Note the Sons of Liberty flag.
Could that be the Liberty Tree behind us?

He did a fine job.

This was Tom's first time out as a historic presenter.
Oh,  he speaks with visitors often at reenactments,  but here he had a captive audience.

This was,  I believe,  a one-time event to help celebrate our nation's 250th,  so we were happy and proud to take part.

After the 4th of July I still had other celebratory 250th events.  For instance,  in mid-July my wife and I traveled to the Joseph Decuis Farm in Columbia City,  Indiana.

Early this year I was asked if I could come out to their Reenactment of the Battle of the Cowpens event and speak as Paul Revere.  

"A fundraiser for Fort Wayne's Old Fort,  this is a day filled with history,  revolutionary war soldiers,  gunfire,  and cannons;  highlighting one of the greatest victories of the Revolutionary War - the Battle of the Cowpens.  This day is a celebration and the perfect way to commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary.  Please note that entrance is with advance tickets only and the number of tickets are limited.

This is an afternoon long event on Joseph Decuis Farm,  with events,  lectures,  and demonstrations;  period exhibitors,  and food inspired by the era.  The day culiminates with the narrated Revolutionary War battle reenactment which took place on January 19,  1781 at the Cowpens in South Carolina.

The program will start with a video from the Cowpens National Battlefield which gives a storied explanation of the battle,  how it evolved,  and how the Patriots were able to turn the tide against the British and win the battle.  There are also demonstrations of musket loading/firing, artillery demonstrations,  blacksmith presentations,  and a visit from Paul Revere.  The reenactors will be set up around the farm.  Chat with them about their guns,  their uniforms,  what they eat and how they fight.  A family friendly event,  there is also an opportunity for the kids to learn to march while they carry wooden muskets,  and try-out Colonial era toys."  
So this was a pretty amazing event celebrating our Nation's early history,  and I was proud to be a part of it.  

For us it is quite a long drive - nearly four hours - but we did it---there and back home in one day.

The bridge to the past...

Well,  I suppose instead of riding Brown Beauty,  this time I have Black Beauty...or  "Jo" - - 

I have to say,  I love horses.
Patty and I took riding lessons many years ago and got pretty darn good at it.
Like bike riding,  you never forget.

I don't know who this couple is,  but they're pretty sharp dressers!

Traditional 18th century food was served,  which I thought was a nice and unique addition.

Bob Jones gave a wonderful introductory speech for me.

Bob runs the old historic fort in Fort Wayne,  Indiana.

So I told the audience the true story of my midnight ride.

It's common to read these days about how Paul Revere was not as important as what people say he is,  and that a young lady  (Sybil Ludington)  rode much further than  "me."
Well,  the audience here got the truth - not a Facebook meme history lesson!

Afterward I did get some folks come up to me and thank me.
That's always appreciated.

There were other reenactors on the grounds,  including a tinsmith.

Here we have a colonial toy seller.

Thank you Bob Jones and Joseph Decuis for inviting me.  Yes,  it was a long drive,  but well worth it.  I had a very good time.

I only wish I could have stayed longer.

Reenacting and living history are so much more than throwing on old-timey-type costumes and pretend to live in the past.  It involves research beyond the norm,  beyond the Facebook meme,  and,  yes,  beyond what The History Channel tells you.  It is placing oneself into the environment of the time.  You see,  I have spoken to many people who call themselves historians that tend to throw presentism  in the conversation.  Presentism is the practice of judging historical figures by the moral and ethical standards of the present day.  

No...no...no...that is so  wrong...and,  nearly as bad is the  postmodernist approach to history (Postmodernists tend to dilute historical accuracy in favor of diverse perspectives),  thus hiding or purposely refraining the truth of the past. 

We'll have none of that!  And,  yes,  I have had many a-face-to-face discussion on these topics.
Well,  maybe Disney will utilize these atrocities and so will many modern movie-makers.  But as historians,  we need to keep it as real and true as we can.

Until next time,  see you in time. 

This post began with another Colonial Cabin excursion.  If that interested you in seeing some of our other Colonial Log Cabin visits,  check this out:

Every few months throughout the calendar year we are there,  in the rural countryside,  living a full day as if it were 250 years earlier. 

Here's our documentation of our time in the past.

To see posts about our other colonial cabin excursions,  please click any of the links below:

~To read about our 2020  autumn harvest excursion - our first time at the cabin - click HERE

~To read about our 2021 wintertime excursion at the cabin - click HERE

~To read about our 2021 springtime excursion at the cabin - click HERE

~To read about our 2021 summertime excursion at the cabin - click HERE

~To read about our 2021 summer harvesting of the flax at the cabin - click HERE

~To read about our 2021 autumn excursion - click HERE

~To read about our 2022 winter excursion at the cabin - please click HERE

~To read about our 2022 spring excursion at the cabin - please click HERE

~To read about our 2022 summer excursion at the cabin - please click HERE

~To read about our 2022 autumn excursion at the cabin  (Pioneer Day) - please click HERE

~To read about our 2023 winter excursion at the cabin  (Candlemas) - please click HERE

~To read about our 2023 spring excursion at the cabin  (Rogation Sunday) - please click HERE

~To read about our 2023 late spring at the cabin - click HERE

~To read about the 2023 early summer - please click HERE

~To read about the 2023 summer  (Lammas Day) - please click HERE

~To read about the 2023 autumn Pioneer Day - please click HERE

~To read about our 2023 Thanksgiving harvest celebration - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 Winter experience at the cabin - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 spring excursion at the cabin - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 late spring with just Patty & I - click HERE 

~To read about our 2024 summer  (Lammas Day) - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 mid-and-late-summer - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 mid-September - click HERE

~To read about our 2024 autumn Pioneer Day Celebration - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 Thanksgiving Harvest - please click HERE

~To read about our 2024 Christmas at the Farm Cabin presentation - please click HERE

~To read about our 2025 winter & Candlemas Day - please click HERE

~To read about our 2025 spring/early May Rogation Sunday excursion - please click HERE

~To read about our 2025 Memorial Day/Late May visit,  please click HERE

~To read about our 2025 (Lammas Day)  Celebration,  please click HERE

~To read about our 2025 September visit with my grandson experiencing living history,  click HERE

~To read about our 2025 Pioneer Day event,  please click HERE

~To read about our 2025 Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration  (including my grandson!),  click HERE  

~To read about our 2025 Colonial Christmas Celebration/Christmas at the Farm  click HERE

~To read about our 2026 Early March/Late Wintertime at the cabin,  please click HERE

~To read about our 2026 Early April - time spent with Grandchildren at the cabin  (you will need to scroll a bit),  please click HERE

~To read about our 2026 Springtime in 1776 - Grandkids again,  plus planting our crop and the blessing of our food source,  please click HERE

So...adding this current visit,  that makes 38 days spent in the 18th century at this cabin.

And,  God willing,  these adventures will continue for a long time to come.

God's Blessing be upon you all~~~

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