America 250th at South Lyon---also, Experiencing Port Sanilac With the Voyageurs

It seems that many places made,  at the very least,  an attempt to hone in on celebrating and acknowledging the America 250 celebration,  and a few of us have been doing our part and did our best to make America's Revolutionary past come to life.

Here are two events I participated in during the month of September.  Neither were a major historical event,  such as a typical reenactments,  though South Lyon gave the America 250 birthday a respectable try. 

Let's begin with South Lyon's  "Depot Days"  event at the historic Witch's Hat  (train)  Depot.

There was a special placard exhibit that centered on America's 250th - the Semiquincentennial - just outside the church where we who were representing the 1770s were placed.  And it was here where we showed this important part of  American history.

The displays were wonderfully and professionally done.

Without realizing it,  folks of long,  long ago and the early settlers had set the course toward Independence in America. 

And the next thing you know...

But it takes more than one event or one person to set the course toward Independence.

And next we have The Constitution~~

The explanations for the Founding Documents are well-done.

And look what's going on at the same time as the federalist papers!

Yes,  the Midwest played a role in the early formation of the United States~

And when you stepped inside the church,  this is what you saw:

The three of us who were at South Lyon:
Me,  my wife,  and Bob/Ben.

Patty did a magnificent job explaining to the public that During the American Revolution,  18th-century women used spinning wheels to turn flax,  hemp,  and wool into yarn and thread.  Organized by the Daughters of Liberty,  public  "spinning bees"  served as political protests to boycott British imported textiles and supply homespun clothing for the Continental Army.

In fact,  upon walking in,  she and her spinning wheel was the big initial draw.

Spinning was a universal female occupation,  a  "domestic"  duty,  integrated into a complex system of neighborly exchange.  Using the spinning wheel for spinning wool and flax has been seen as an essential expression of a woman's devotion to her home and family.  It also shows self-sufficiency.

In this photo I am holding a wool cap she knitted for me - directly from sheared wool we got from a friend,  wool she carded by hand,  plus washed and skirted,  then spun,  and finally dyed then knitted.

I am very proud of it.

There were others in this space with us:

Also in the room with us were members of the DAR - Daughters of the American Revolution...

...and Kevin,  who cajoled people to sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Kevin gave a good history of the document.

With a few friends,  we afterward visited and dined modern at a Coney Island restaurant there in South Lyon.

The following week there was the Port Sanilac event,  hosted,  in part,  by the Ste.  Claire Voyageurs.  Jackie,  Norm,  and myself participated as well:

Jackie came out of the cabin to greet everyone.
(Okay,  so she wasn't really staying in the cabin,  but this photo does give that impression)~

There was a farmer's market and Jackie found a few items,  such as these beets,  she wanted.

Norm in the barn.
This barn was not for animals,  but was,  instead,  a place to star farming tools and even a carriage.

I suppose I should hitch up the horses first,  eh?  lol

Lorna utilizing her skill as a weaver.

I like the way Lorna's lean-to almost depicts what we now call a saltbox.

Dale spoke on Great Lakes fur-trapping.
In fact,  Dale and the other Voyageurs helped to add to the historical displays to the Macomb College  "Chasing Liberty"  events and presentations this past spring.

This couple showed and told what it took to be in a lumber camp.

Another modern dining experience while in period clothing,  this time we went to the A&W in Lexington  (Michigan).

Both Port Sanilac and South Lyon very relaxed events.

For me,  whenever I have the opportunity to be with other like-minded people,  it's a good time.

And I know South Lyon really tried to put their best foot forward for America's 250th,  but I just don't think they exactly fully knew what to do with us.  The event we were at - Depot Days - has been around for nearly 50 years,  so they do have an impressive run,  without a doubt.  However,  we,  as living historians,  seemed to be more out of place than anything.  We did not really fit their plan.  Now,  Bob,  as Ben Franklin,  and I as Paul Revere,  did walk among the crowd.  I even sat for a while next to the historic placards,  but no one showed any interest.  I had a few call out  "Hey Paul!"  but that was about it.

Ah well...at least we added a bit of Revolutionary atmosphere!

Patty was also pretty popular.

As for Port Sanilac,  my question,  which seems I am asking all too frequently,  is where were other reenactors?  This was a fine opportunity to present daily life and even period activities,  such as Lorna's weaving and Dale's fur-trapping.  Perhaps at nearly five bucks for a gallon of gas,  it may have been too far to travel the 90 minutes from the Metro-Detroit area.

Still,  we who showed up had a fine time.  I should bring some of my period activities - perhaps next year.

By the way,  the shoppers at the farmer's Market were definitely interested in us,  and so we had a few folks to speak to.

Meeting and greeting at the Farmer's Market.

Port Sanilac wasn't necessarily about America 250,  but it was a very enjoyable event.

I hope to get more involved next year.

Until next time,  see you in time.

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