My Living History Back Story

I am going to preface this posting with a couple of questions followed by some commentary about reenacting:
First: Why do you reenact? 
 and
What is your life like in the reenacting world?
I ask this because to many, it's all about the clothing and very little else.
Now, wearing accurate period clothing at an event cannot be stressed enough. That is the first thing the visitor will see and will be their first impression they will have of the reenactors. So when any of us are found in inaccurate fashions, that sets the stage for bad examples all around.
But to many...to too many...it's all about clothing and fashion and little else. They can tell you just how many stitches are needed for an accurate hemline, whether a collar is a quarter inch too wide, if the length is too short. and if the "darts" are as they should be, but have no idea what their station in life is, or what type of seasonal food they would eat any particular time of year, how much something may cost while shopping, or even their daily routine of wash day, mending day, bake day, etc., which would have been infinity more important to them than how wide their collar was.
So many reenactor's knowledge on what their lives would have been like is slim. They may know all about the minute details of battles or of the ladies this or that, but what they know about their period daily activities is nil.

This young poor domestic servant girl knows her lot in life, and Carrie portrays her marvelously and accurately. She really does work when we enter the immersion world. By the end of the day she has a very real idea of what it was like to be a servant girl.

I realize I am probably ruffling a few feathers here, but what I am saying is true: we, as reenactors and living historians need to have more meetings and spend more time researching about daily life and what living life was actually like, not just what toiletries would have been in a bed chamber or whether our clothing is good enough for the fashion show. We need to understand that most people of the time - both men & women - cared more about their chores and living their lives as best they could than about the clothing they wore.
Men: in your modern 21st century life, you know what your wife does - her daily routines and chores.
Ladies: in your modern 21st century life you also know about your husband's daily activities and chores as well. You both (hopefully) converse about your day during your evening meal, right? Well, my wife and I do, and have done for nearly thirty years.
Don't you think that men and women conversed much in the same manner back then?
They certainly did! They knew about what they needed to do as well as what their spouse's duties were.
If we spent half as much time researching daily life in the varying classes as we do on clothing, imagine how amazing our reenactments could be! 
And that's the premise for this week's posting.

~Part Two of My Living History Back Story: Farm Life/City Life~

  

Many visitors, and even other reenactors, often ask me about my "back story"in my living history world.

A back story for living historians, in case you are unaware, is the biography - or autobiography, rather - of yourself in time...you in whatever era in the past you are representing. It's understanding that your story isn't only a few facts and names and fancy clothing, but a life lived and all it entails, just as the actual people who lived "back then." It's not just something in your mind but a story that can be told in an interesting and factual way, as if you were speaking casually to a new friend.
Just like your life today. 

And once you discover it, it's like an eye-opening experience.
Kinda like someone with amnesia who has 'awakened.' 
But it took a while for me to "find myself."

A few years back, as I did my usual speech about the postal service and mail in the early 1860's, I found myself getting a little tired of going over the same old stuff repeatedly. I could feel it becoming stagnant, monotonous. So over the last few years I began to expand from speaking strictly about mail to adding a bit more color by including a little about traveling on a stagecoach and describing what it was like to stay at a tavern. Things really began to form as I delved more into living history during certain reenactments, beginning with the immersion events of Christmas at the Fort 2012 and 2013 and Charlton Park 2011, 2012, and 2013. And then finally this year my partner in "Our Own Snug Fireside" and I formulated the outline for our historical presentations that we do, which was based on the immersion events.
And then it all just kinda hit me;

"Hey! I found my past!  I know who I am...er...was!"

So, would you like to know what my back story is?
Well, the early roots to the "me" who lives in the 1860's can be found HERE.

But the information about the rest of the 1860's me can be found...well, read on...
My life in the 1860's - - well, anyone's life in the 1860's - could include most, if not all, of the following aspects of living:

It's farming or any other occupation or chore one might have.

It's visiting the photographer and having my tin type taken.
It's cleaning the house.

It's visiting a tavern.

It's celebrating Christmas and the 4th of July.

It's mourning.

It's going to the doctor.

It's shopping.

It's going to school.

It's visiting friends.

It's cooking.

It's music.

It's taking grain to the gristmill.

It's surviving life in each of our four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. 

It's...well, it's so much more than names and dates and fables of glory, just as our modern lives are.

It's everything that you do today, but only the way they did it "back then." It's many of the subjects that I write about in this Passion for the Past blog.

As I said, my back story encompasses as much as possible about my life as an adult living in the 1860's.

It's taken only 10 years for me to finally figure that out. I've tried numerous other so-called autobiographies of my 1860's life, but I've never really felt comfortable with any of them. These stories just did not depict me the way I feel I really...um...was, mainly due to the fact that there wasn't enough of a story to tell. But over the last few years, however, I've been able to naturally formulate a sort of narrative that makes sense.

That's because I have been researching and presenting information on daily life activities for so many years that it's all been instilled in my brain, just waiting to be utilized.

And now I am.
Even better, I have made it more personal by localizing it and using the place I've lived nearly my entire life as my backdrop.

To reiterate a bit of what I wrote HERE: in the mid-part of the 19th century, the area here in Michigan where my modern hometown of Eastpointe now sits was once a part of a larger settlement known as Erin Township. Over the years the township subdivided up into four villages that eventually became the cities of Eastpointe, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, and Fraser.

I have a few books telling the story of Eastpointe and Erin Township in general, and as I was perusing a couple of them it hit me that there was enough social history available right in my own backyard to build on my 19th century past.

Add to this the scenarios of Christmas at the Fort and Charlton Park as well as "Our Own Snug Fireside" presentations that I do for historical societies & schools, and, without fully realizing it, I've found my back story:

I'm a farmer!

Simple eh?

A farming couple eking out a new life on the frontier of rural Michigan. Yes, we can tell you of our lives in this era, both inside and outside the cabin.

Well, not quite as simple as you might think. I like to take my living history to the fullest extent that I am able - into immersion when possible - meaning that my presentation is going to be more than to speak a few sentences in a feeble attempt to explain a farmer's chores ("Good day, I'm a farmer. I feed the animals, plow the fields, and then harvest everything in the fall. I hope we have a good growing season.").

Because I'm more than that.

I know I am.

At least, I think I must be.

So let me repeat - I'm a farmer.

But I'm not just a farmer.

I'm a farmer who was born in 1811 and so I've lived the life of a man from the 19th century.

I'm a farmer who has done more than only farm, just as a farmer 'back then' would have done.

I'm a farmer who celebrates Christmas and the 4th of July, has mourned the loss of family members, has gone to the store to make purchases, has had a tintype taken, has had grain ground into flour at the gristmill, has stayed overnight in a tavern, and has hauled manure...

Do you see where I'm going with this?
The best part for all of this is that people are genuinely interested in my daily life activities, because by speaking of everyday routines of the past the visitor - men and women - can personally relate to it in a sort of comparison way: their 21st century life to my 19th (or 18th) century life.
And that's what draws them into our world of long ago.

Whether I'm in the 19th century or 18th century (as shown here), I hope to present everyday life as authentically as I can, through fashion and activities.

Researching is half of the fun in all of this, and then bringing that research to life is the other three quarters (yes, you read that right! I'm messing with your head here!). This is why when I post historical information here I try to list (and link) the sources/books from where that info came - usually more than one source is used, in case you hadn't noticed - just to criss-cross and cover more ground.
I know, I know..."who are you, Ken, to tell us how to reenact?"
I'm not telling you anything---you are entitled to reenact anyway you see fit---I'm just offering my thoughts and opinions is all. You see, to me it's important that we present our ancestors as more than fashion plates, for they truly were much more.
And I would LOVE to hear your back story!

By the way, if you are interested in reading in greater detail of my farming life, please click the following links:
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
as well as 
Autumn Food Pleasures
Autumn - A Taste of History
Fall Harvest in Photographs
and Thanksgiving

If you are interested in finding your back story, maybe some of what I wrote in past postings can help you:

Farming. 

Visiting the photographer and having my tintype taken.

Visiting a tavern.

Cleaning House.
Celebrating Christmas and the 4th of July.

Mourning.

Going to the doctor.

Shopping.

Going to school.
Visiting friends and neighbors.

Cooking.

Music.

Taking grain to a mill.

And generally making do in each of our four seasons.

Hope you find your way soon!
Til next time!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two Centuries / One Weekend

Yes, you read the title right. I reenacted in two different centuries over one weekend: Saturday I was in the year 1864 and Sunday I was in the 1770's.
And what a 'time' I had!
While in 1864 I was at a small town located nearly an hour west of Detroit called Dexter. This is a quiet little event that seems to be growing - this was our third year participating. What I like about Dexter is that we can have a more relaxed conversation with the visitors about history. And since the patrons must pay to enter the grounds, these folks are genuinely interested in history and have sparked some well thought out conversations. They really listen to and enjoy what we have to say, and we enjoy their enthusiasm.
As usual, I had my camera ready, so I will let the pictures tell more of the stories here.
Yes, with captions, too!

Greeting us as we walked to the campsite was this wonderful group of musicians playing fine old tunes of the mid-19th century on period correct instruments. They could be heard throughout the area. I am sorry to say I did not get the name of this string orchestra.

Here is a photograph of me with my wife and daughter. One of the biggest pleasures a living historian could have is to time-travel with their family. By the way, I was told by numerous people that I looked like a plantation owner. 

This is my beautiful daughter. Yes, I may be a bit biased, but she truly is beautiful, inside and out.

Life is grand in Michigan in early June. Though it was Saturday, it felt like Sunday. So we relaxed - family and friend - and enjoyed the weather and company.

A few of us from the 21st Michigan posed for a tintype taken by our very own wet plate photographer Mr. Robert Beech.
Having a tin type taken is one of the best ways to have an authentic "souvenir" of your time at a Civil War event.

This is the negative before the collodion was added.

But look what happens when the collodion is poured upon the negative...

...it begins turning into a photograph!

And there you have it, though it still needs to dry for an hour or so. Mr. Beech certainly does a fine job at his craft.

Here is the finished image. I think we look pretty 1860's, don't you? The tin type itself is actually a little clearer than this photograph shows, but since I have no scanner I have to take a picture of whatever photograph I want to digitize. It can be rather trying to take a photo of a tin type without getting some back reflection.

These two ladies from the 26th Michigan take their doctoring practices seriously. They come all the way from near Traverse City to take part in the Dexter event. (For you who are not familiar with Michigan, that's around a four hour drive.) They had an authentically scary collection of doctoring tools. I'm glad I didn't need to visit them on business!

Meet the man who worked closely with President Lincoln in the drafting and passing of the 13th amendment abolishing slavery, Michigan Senator Jacob Howard (aka Dave Tennies). Mr. Tennies does an amazing job as Senator Howard, who served from 1862 to 1871.

Senator Howard speaks with President Lincoln about the issue of the 13th Amendment. Say...just what is that thing he's holding in his hand??

My wife, Patty, and our daughter work on spinning and crocheting during a Ladies Aid Society gathering.

Patty claims she doesn't like to speak in front of people, but I have plenty of pictures proving otherwise. Here she is at Dexter allowing a patron to card wool by using carding paddles.

The next day my time machine whirled me 80 years further back in time, to the 1770's. This is the second year for the Colonial Days event at Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit. Last year I attended as a patron and it was then and there that I decided the next time I would attend as a participant.
So here I am, at my first actual colonial reenactment; I finally bought clothing of the era in March and, due to conflicting schedules, had to wait this long before I was able to wear them.
Well...that's not totally true...I did wear them back on April 18 and visited Greenfield Village, which was very cool indeed! But this was the first actual colonial reenactment opportunity for me.
Did I enjoy myself? Oh you bet I did!
The clothing I have is British rather than French, though French seemed to be where most of my colonial friends interests lie. But I am of English descent and therefore am paying tribute to my colonial ancestors.
Historic Fort Wayne was built in the 1840's, so it was not around in the 18th century, but it works well as the backdrop for Colonial Days. I would love to see this event grow; a suggestion I had made to the powers-that-be is to associate it more with the 4th of July holiday coming up in a few weeks to garner the Independence Day interest.
Speaking of Independence Day, my interest of late in our nation's founding continues to skyrocket, and the occurrences during the time of our founding fathers along with their lives and times really has taken a hold of me.
As I have mentioned in previous posting, I have no interest in leaving the Civil War era; I am only interested in expanding my living history opportunities to other areas of great interest to me.
And the colonial period is such a time.
So, without further ado, here are some photos of my first actual colonial reenactment.
Hope you like 'em:

Here I am, front and center, with my country's flag flying behind me. Yes, living in colonial America, I am still a British citizen (we are in 1770 and the Revolution has a few years to go before occurring). Since part of my heritage is English, I have chosen to reflect that in my colonial ventures.

Don't be fooled - these fine ladies are not angry. They are only waiting for the rain to stop and the sun to shine, which it did later in the day.

Jeri Grover and her husband portray weavers and have authentic replica looms to do their craft upon. Like Civil War reenacting, farbiness is a no no and their presentation is top-notch. Many thanks must go the Grovers for their kindness in allowing me the use of their campsite for my very first event. Yes, Jeri and Ross portray French colonists, and I, as a British colonist, am indebted to their kindness.

Friends also weave, helping to show colonial history.

Mrs. Paladino looks over the finished product from the weaving.

To help cheer us from the blustery rain, a fife and drum trio performed the music of the period.

With the rain coming down, Mrs. Paladino snatched an opportunity to find a moment's respite inside the local gathering spot for gentlemen and gentlewomen.

The only way to not be a stranger in a new venture is to walk around and meet the locals, which I did. In my travels I befriended another colonial couple, the Church's, who, like the Grover's, have been involved in this hobby for quite a long time.

Mr. and Mrs. Church had a fine set up in their campsite.

Kids are kids no matter what era, whether it's the 1770's, 1860's, or the 21st century. This young lady enjoyed splashing in the puddles in her bare feet. Who doesn't?

What? Did you expect because I'm new to the 1770's reenacting world that I would sit idly back like a wall flower?? Ha! If so, then you don't know me very well! Whenever there is an opportunity to take period photos, I do my best to make it happen.

Yes, I grabbed friends old and new for a photo opp. But posing isn't enough if you're just...posing...

...so we decided on some sort of a historic alignment between Patriots and a former loyalist. You see, initially I was a loyalist like so many others. But, although I am of British heritage, I, too, disagree with the King and his many acts, and we had a great discussion about what should be done.

After much discussion and debating I was convinced the King was wrong and willingly aligned myself with the other Patriots, especially upon hearing of the growing discontent of many of the other citizens of the colonies. 

Now the stage was set! What will the future bring...the Good Lord only knows.

Okay, so the captions under these last few pictures are corny. What the heck, right?
I enjoyed being in the 1770's. The other reenactors seemed very friendly and willing to have newcomers join them.
I was invited to participate in more colonial/Rev War events, and I plan to do so as time permits. As a proud patriot, I am very excited to be able to portray a citizen from the birth of our nation.
Yes, I am.
And so it goes...













.

Greenfield Village Civil War Remembrance 2014 in Photographs (with an explanation on photography at a reenactment)

Before we get into the photographs from this most terrific reenactment weekend, I would like to explain something here that I wrote about a couple years ago:

taking photographs at a historic reenactment.

Strike a pose: Lee Cagle, the unofficial Greenfield Village photographer, takes a picture of 21st Michigan member Beckie.

I've had some ask me about all of the photos I take at not only this event at Greenfield Village, but at any of our events. 

Here is something I wrote a couple years ago that gives as good an explanation as any on my taking pictures while participating in living history:

For me, taking photographs at reenactments is kind of like an extension of the event itself, and many of my living history friends feel the same way. Some have told me they don't feel like the event is complete until they see my photos posted here on this blog or on Facebook.
It makes me feel good knowing that so many feel that way about my pictures. But I do understand concerns about seeing such a device as a modern digital camera while at a reenactment, especially with patrons around. Even more important, at an immersion event. I so try to be inconspicuous with my camera for the most part, and will try not to pull it out in front of visitors except under rare circumstances.

Yep - that's me taking a picture of a scenario that's been set up. The girls hammed it up pretty good for this one!

However, there are times when it almost doesn't matter. 
Almost. 
For instance, at a battle reenactment. 
First off, most of us in the civilian contingencies are usually sitting amidst hundreds (or more) of very modern patrons in their lawn chairs. It's kind of hard to chastise a period-dressed reenactor for taking a few photographs in this situation, wouldn't you say? But as long as the reenactors don't mind and the camera is quickly hidden and not left it in plain view where the public can see it, I see no problem here. I still believe that as living historians we should do our best to stay in time-travel mode as long as we are in our period attire no matter where we are.
"But," you may say, "there are the times when one is surrounded by all things historically accurate; out comes the camera and there goes all sense of authenticity."
Hmmmm.... I see your point...but once a 21st century visitor enters the 'scene,' I try to make sure the camera is stuffed away in my always nearby carpetbag and no one is the wiser. In fact, I have had quite a few non-reenacting friends mention that they never even seen me take pictures at events and wonder how the heck I get so many shots. And most reenacting friends are usually ready and willing to pose. 

The lovely ladies of the Michigan Soldiers Aid Society & friends head out for an afternoon tea at Cotswold Cottage, but not before stopping to pose for this crazy guy with a camera.

Yeah, it is true that at times, like during immersion, it can be obtrusive...and that's where I've been learning to understand that, though this may be a really 'cool' event, the camera may have to be put at bay.
Or does it?
I have many opportunities to reenact inside period homes where we try to attempt immersion, and that's where I will set up photographic scenarios as a sort of souvenir to that particular 'moment in time.'  by having us arrive early enough to spend time posing in various scenarios before the immersion begins.
  Sometimes I've had photographer friends take photos during immersion time, unless it is a non-public event, in which case it will only be staged photos beforehand. The photographers are usually respectfully unobtrusive, plus, as living historians, we also learned to block modern-isms out.
Yet, I will admit that I have pulled out my camera at times when maybe I shouldn't have. I suppose it's just me getting over zealous and excited about the situation at hand. As a historian, that happens quite often. But I'm getting better.

Interestingly for me is the way my reenacting/living historian friends feel about modern photography at events; by far the greater majority are extremely happy that I am out there recording for posterity our "time-travel" experiences. 

Hangin' with the Rebs

I haven't met any who adamantly stated that they disliked it, though one or two have asked if I could abstain during certain times. I've tried to tone it down a bit when I feel it can take away from an experience...but, boy! it sure is difficult sometimes!
I have seen other reenactors carrying (or wearing) their cameras around their necks via a long strap. This I am vehemently against; to not even make an attempt to hide your farbiness  goes against all of what we are trying to do. If this is the case then why cover your cooler?
As I said, unless it's a posed picture, I do my best to sneak my camera out of the carpetbag, snap the photo, then slip it back in.
No muss - no fuss.
And little - if any - notice.
I'm sure that, for the most part it's a personal issue. As I alluded to a few moments ago, if I am at a full immersion event I will try and refrain from taking pictures accept at an appointed time. 
I hope this has explained a bit about how I operate.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 

Now, here is a question I ponder every so often: how is it that we can participate in the same reenactment for a decade or longer and yet still find it every bit as fun and exciting as the very first time?

That's the way it is for me and so many others who partake in Greenfield Village's Civil War Remembrance every Memorial Day Weekend. 

Many of the members of the 21st Michigan were very excited about being back at Greenfield Village's Civil War Remembrance!

And we are there the entire weekend: from the line up on Friday through tear down on Monday, most reenactors spend the entire weekend there, camped out in tents.

(Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, my wife and I did not camp this year, though we set up our tent).

It's not very often that museums of this sort allow for such a thing. I mean, they trust us explicitly. And we, in turn, do our best to give the historic village our utmost respect and care.

We want to keep this relationship going, and so do they.

The weather for Memorial Weekend 2014 here in the metro-Detroit area was picture-perfect: 70's and low 80's with lots and lots of sun.

And, as you shall see in the following photos (and from the pictures above), we took full advantage of it!

 I'd like to begin with showing an opportunity I had to take part in a wonderful special interpretive scenario. There is a living history group, The Petticoat Society, that was asked to transform the tintype studio inside Greenfield into a Loyal Union League, presenting content related to the 1864 election and The National Union Party. I was one of a very few who had been asked to participate in bringing this rarely presented election to life. It is quite an honor, though I did not have the knowledge to interpret this oft-forgotten part of the Civil War. But they certainly taught me a lot and have piqued my interest.

The transformation of the tintype studio into a Loyal Union League meeting place was as eerily authentic as any transformation I have seen, inside and out.

(From the Union League historical marker): "On June 25, 1862, the Union League of America was founded at Pekin, Illinois, to promote patriotism and loyalty to the Union. Its members hoped to counter Northern disillusionment with President Lincoln's military policies after early Union defeat in the Civil War. Although closely allied with the Republican Party, the League sought to enroll all Union supporters, regardless of party. the league developed into a statewide and then a national organization. By December, 1863, it claimed 140,000 members in Illinois and almost a million nationwide." 

Kimmy Young is ready for visitors

Despite Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg a year earlier, the Southern armies came back fighting with a vengeance. During three months in the summer of 1864, over 65,000 Union soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing-in-action. In comparison, there had been 108,000 Union casualties in the first three years.

In the Border States, War Democrats joined with Republicans as the National Union Party, with Lincoln at the head of the ticket.

Kimmy Young, Becky (Young) LaBarre & Steve LaBarre: These three did an amazing job in their presentation. I did little more than sit there and watch in awe. I mean, they really drew the people into the world of the 1864 election through site and sound. Hopefully next year, if they do this again (and I hope they do!), I can play a larger role, if they'll let me.

War Democrats in American politics of the 1860s were adherents of the Democratic Party who rejected the Copperheads/Peace Democrats who controlled the party. The War Democrats demanded a more aggressive policy toward the Confederacy and supported the policies of Republican President Abraham Lincoln when the Civil War broke out a few months after his win in the 1860 presidential election.

As you can see, they did a phenomenal job decorating for their interpretation as well.

The National Union Party was a temporary name used to attract War Democrats and Border State Unionists who would not vote for the Republican Party.

And, well, this IS a men's club, so we played a little poker while discussing our political opinions.

Also, a commemoration/reverberation took place this weekend:

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of General Grant’s Overland Campaign of 1864, Greenfield Village had partnered with the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park for a special tribute program that all CWR participants are asked to participate. To mark those events, Greenfield Village will be taking part in Reverberations, an innovative program initiated by the National Park Service connecting three national parks in Virginia and eight communities around the country to illustrate the devastating impact of the Civil War on communities across the country.
Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan is one of those communities.

This special candlelight illumination ceremony with John Hennessy, Civil War historian and chief historian/chief of interpretation at the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park military park, will be simultaneously conducted by the partner communities both North and South.This illumination ceremony will culminate in taps being played in Greenfield Village and echoed to these other locations virtually as the event will be streamed live in conjunction with the other ceremonies. The activities will ultimately conclude with a grand illumination ceremony at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery in Virginia.

The following photos show this wonderful tribute:

The military marched to the Village Green first. Note the men carrying the lanterns...

...followed by the civilians, also carrying lanterns.

It was truly a beautiful sight.

The ceremony, which took place on the Village Green, was very touching and was a wonderful tribute to the men who fought in that war 150 years ago.

The above four photos were taken by Lenore Jordan

Next up we have some pictures from our camp site. We always set up our tents 'neath the shade of the mulberry trees planted by Henry Ford back in 1932, right next to Hank's Silk Mill (built in 1810). Or, as I like to call our spot, Shady Grove (after the old American folk song from the 18th century and was still popular during the Civil War).

Peaches in the summertime, Apples in the fall,
If I can’t have Shady Grove I’ll have no love at all.
Shady grove, my little love, Shady grove, I know
Shady grove, my little love, I'm bound for shady grove.

"So, git outa de way for old Dan Tucker,
He's come too late to git his supper.
Supper's over and breakfast cookin',
Old Dan Tucker standin' lookin' "
And breakfast was certainly being cooked in campsites throughout
Greenfield Village! And Old Dan Tucker just stood there lookin'!

Some folks cook on stoves –
Some folks do, some folks do…
More breakfast a-cookin’!

The ladies readied themselves for the busy day ahead. (Yes! I received permission to publish this photo from the young lady at hand!)

The lost art of visiting without the use of smart phones (and any other hand-held electronic devises) prevailed.

Mother and son prepare to take a stroll through the Village.

My wife and I enjoying a respite from the crowds that attend Civil War Remembrance (photo by Lee Cagle)

Oh Man! That cherry pie looks good enough to eat! Too bad it was for a friend and not us! Maybe next time...!!

These patriotic ladies (including my lovely wife in the middle!) let everyone know where their allegiance lies!

Mrs. Cook tries to make ends meet by making a meager living doing laundry. She truly does wash the clothing for reenactors in exchange for pie or some other delight.

No Reb shall enter the camp of this young lady! Few things are cooler than a girl and her gun!

The 1832 Eagle Tavern

Our Saturday afternoon consists of dining at the 1832 Eagle Tavern, a place where locally-grown non-GMO food of the season is served. It is perhaps my favorite dining experience, especially when I have my entire family dressed in period clothing with me, including my daughter-in-law who does not reenact, but dressed in period clothing for me!

I love having my family (and a couple of very good friends) with me here at the Eagle Tavern!

Friends always join us when we dine here.

Having friends join us always makes it that much more special!

And I found the lovely Samantha McCarty, from The Couture Courtesan, dining at the Eagle Tavern as well.

Then there's the Grand Ball at at Lovett Hall, adjacent to Greenfield Village. Few period balls are as grand as the one Greenfield Village throws for the participating reenactors, I'm sure you'll agree after seeing the following photographs:

Off to the ball... (photo by Larissa Fleishman)

Lovett Hall was built by Henry Ford in 1929 to be used specifically for balls. You can almost hear the swishing and twirling of the dancers!

The lovely Mrs. Giffin and her partner during the Grand March.

The Grand March continues...

Let the dancing begin! Calling provided by Mr. Glen Morningstar, and music provided by Picks 'n' Sticks.

The lovely Miss Mansfield and her partner seem to be having a wonderful time.

A was able to grab many of my friends (and even my son) there to pose for a group picture.

And here is another group photo of (mostly) 21st Michigan members.

Here are a few shots taken as I was roaming around Greenfield Village. One of the neat things about reenacting in an open-air museum atmosphere are all the great historic backdrops:

21st Michigan member Jillian is also a historic presenter at Greenfield Village, and she had to work one of the three days that Civil War Remembrance took place. Here we both are at the Susquehanna Plantation House, she at "work" and me at play.

A few of the guys from the Sally Port Mess on the back porch of Susquehanna Plantation. Yep, that's me with a guitar, and I do know how to play it.

The local tinsmith prepares for his upcoming busy day.

The Dodsworth Saxhorn band entertained all passersby with the hits of the (18)60's.

If you reenact in the mid-west then you know David Walker. That's him on the left. Beckie and I are next to him.

And now the reason for Civil War Remembrance in the first place: to honor all those in the military who have either given or are willing to give their last full measure for their country. Greenfield Village does one of the most touching of all Memorial Day services, as these pictures will attest:

It's during the ceremony that the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the military are honored by being called onto the Village Green to a round of applause from thousands of onlookers. This truly does bring a tear to one's eyes.

Then ladies will walk up to lay a wreath to honor those military heroes who have died.

Many, but not all, of the ladies will wear mourning clothing

It is quite an honor to be chosen to take part in this ceremony.

The infantry from both sides of the Mason-Dixon will then fire a volley.

Now, let's show some of the military side of the reenactment.These photos concentrate mainly on the unit I belong to, the 21st Michigan.

Members of the 21st Michigan march off to the Memorial service.

A few of the men of the 21st Michigan military pose similarly in the manner of what's been seen on some of the old CDV's.

Brothers: two of my three sons, Rob and Tom. Dreads on a Civil War soldier? Hmmm...

My son Tom minds camp as the others are marching and drilling. He also cooked for the men.

Members of the 21st Michigan mixed in with other units.

Michigan Senator Jacob Howard (Dave Tennies) speaks to the men on the importance of their service in the military.

A few of the men from the 21st Michigan

And finally we took a group photo. This proved to be a great time, though a little trying. It can be rather difficult to have a gathering come together in one place at a reenactment such as one this large, but they did. Well, most did. Some could not make it while there are others who did not even come to the event. But, as you can see, we had quite a showing.
That's the ca1830's Susquehanna Plantation house we are standing in front of.

How the future will see us...

To me, one of the best parts was seeing all of the modern 21st century visitors with their cameras all taking pictures as well. It was like the paparazzi! All in good fun, however.

...how we see ourselves.

Greenfield Village is always such a top-notch event for us. A lot of planning goes into it, beginning in early March at the planning meeting and continuing on until Memorial Weekend itself. It's a celebration of sorts: of our country's history, of the great men who gave their all for fighting for something they believed in, for those who are willing to give their all, for the beginning of summer and the reenacting season, and of life itself.

I thank the great open-air museum of Greenfield Village for allowing and trusting those of us who reenact to take over the historical property for three and a half days.

And I thank the nearly 30,000 visitors who continue to come year after year to see us, as well as to the new-comers who have never been and were pleasantly surprised, especially the woman from Vancouver, Canada who recently moved to Detroit and knew very little of our American History. She was extremely interested in knowing not only about the Civil War but about the Revolutionary War as well, and we happily obliged in giving her a quick overview and guiding her in the right direction to learn more.

My son Rob: after three days we were all ready to head into the future to reenact the 21st century  (Photo by Carole McMann)

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 Outtakes and Bloopers From Civil War Remembrance at Greenfield Village
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Hey! They do it on TV, right? So why can't I do it here!
I don't think I've met a reenactor who doesn't like to take a goofy picture every once in a while. I mean, except for immersion events (no modern anything allowed!), I believe most of us like to have a little fun, especially when an opportunity arises that you just can't pass up.
That's what I'm showing here: the fun, mostly private behind-the-scenes photos we sometimes will take when the public is not around.
I know, I know...there will be some out there who will be greatly disappointed in me for not only posting these, but having the audacity of actually taking these pictures in the first place!
But, you know what? Look at the original tintypes from the past: many are posed as fun, goof-off poses. I've seen numerous pictures from the past where people are emulating the humor of their time.
If they did it, then so can we!
So, without further ado, here are the childish outtakes, bloopers, immature, nonsensical, muddle-headed....actually, let's just call them fun! Get the picture (get it? "Picture"??)!
Here you go!

"We need more firewood!! You push and I'll pull!"

Every rose has her thorn. And these ladies nearly got "stuck"!

Mike with his parasol - a match made in...well, not sure if it's a match or not!

"Oh! Oh! My man has been shot!!"

"Sisters, who would do such a dastardly deed?"

"Ha! It was ME! And I'd do it again! He was a bad, bad man!"

"No! 'twas I who did the deed! With this here stick!"

It was neither...it was the rancid meat he ate that killed this poor man!

Okay...let's take a nice pic-----MIKE!!!!

Awww...Ian just adores his new bride!!

I caught Dave doing his best Charles Dickens impression (see photo below)

Wherever she lays her head is her home!

Recall seeing the wonderfully elegant Victorian folks at the ball? Ha! Hoodlums!!

Wonder Woman's great great great grandmother!

I believe this picture speaks for itself!

"Hey! How many of us can fit under the mourning veil!"

Howdy! Ya'll wanna dance?

Nothing comes between a woman and her gun. Nothing!

If any of these pictures gave you a smile or brightened your day in any way, then you just made mine!

Have a wonderful week!

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