Colonial Ken Celebrates Patriot's Day 2016 at Greenfield Village

 Patriot's Day is coming! 
Patriot's Day is coming!

A painting by Mort Kunstler from the 2016 "New Nation" calendar depicting the midnight ride of Paul Revere.

Tell me, doctor
Where are we goin' this time?
Is this the 1860s, or 1779?
So take me away, I don't mind,
but you better promise me
I'll be back in time…
Gotta get back in time!

(Slightly modified lyrics from Huey Lewis’ 
“Back in Time” from the film “Back to the Future”)
~Photo by Lee Cagle~ 

Yes, for the last few years, especially ever since I've renewed my strong interest in 18th century American History, I have been celebrating Patriot's Day. This is a holiday commemorating the events of April 19, 1775, which, unfortunately, is only celebrated in three states: Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin (and to a lesser extent, Florida). What occurred, for the most part, is lost to most Americans:
"What happened on April 19th?," is what I usually hear upon speaking to people about why I celebrate this day. "Must be something historical if it's coming from you."
*sigh*
I then attempt to remind them of the "midnight ride" of Paul Revere (and other riders) as well as what is considered to be the first battle of the Revolutionary War - Lexington & Concord - perhaps the most important time in our nation's history.
Then they understand.
I would like to see our entire country celebrate this great day in our nation's past. Maybe one day people will...but until then, I shall keep on celebrating and spreading the word as best I can. I suppose I better if I plan to present as Paul Revere!

And that's just what I did while dressed in my 1770s clothing at Greenfield Village recently. Of course, I spent a good part of my day over on the far side of the Village where the numerous homes from the 18th century sit. Aside from Colonial Michilimackinac at the tip of Michigan's mit, we have no other (as far as I know) colonial-era structures in this state, so I treasure what Henry Ford and Greenfield Village has done by bringing a little bit of New England (and even England itself!) here.

                                                                                   And what treasures they are!

A picture-perfect spring day in Michigan.
The chapel here could *almost* pass for 
the Old North Church.

Unfortunately for this year, I am not able to visit the village on April 19th due to work commitments, but I did go on the 15th.
The weather on this day was about as perfect as an April day can be: mid-60s and filled with sun. Spring has sprung in Michigan!
In the pictures here you'll see that I am in my colonial clothing once again. Yep - I love wearing 'em every chance I can get, and what better place around here than in the midst of colonial structures all situated together at the far end of Greenfield Village!
As one who enjoys wearing fashions of the past and pursuing living history, I get asked many questions about my hobby such as "aren't you hot in those clothes?"  and "is that a real fire?" and "do you really sleep in your tent?"
But there is one question that I have only been asked once: "Is it embarrassing to wear clothing like that in public?"
Excellent question!
Initially, for me, it was. But the more I went out in public dressed in 1770s or 1860s styles, the more comfortable I became and, thus, the easier it was.
It helps a whole lot that most folks think my period clothing is pretty cool.
I will say this, however: it is a little tougher for me to go out in colonial clothing than my Civil War garb, mainly because the style is so different in comparison. Probably the hardest part, besides wearing knee breeches, is having my hair tied back with a ribbon in a ponytail, known at the time as a queue. That was the fashion for men from about the mid-1700s through the early part of the 19th century.

If you know me at all, however, you know that I am pretty anal about being period correct and I place great importance upon it, whether I am at an actual reenactment, doing a presentation, or "just visiting." Nothing modern on me, from the inside out (although on this day my daughter was sick so I did have my cell phone with me on vibrate in case she needed to get in touch. Health and family before anything else).

I take "living history" seriously: my queue is plainly seen as I watch Samuel Daggett plow his field.
Notice the popular break-back style house (also known in modern times as a saltbox house) belonging to Mr. Daggett in the background. He built this house around 1750.
Our 2nd President, John Adams, was born in a structure very similar to this one. 

A posed picture makes it look like I am heading up the 
stairs to the 2nd floor. Although I have been up there 
before, I didn't ask this time, but it does make 
for a pretty realistic look, eh?

Opening Day at Greenfield Village is, for history nerds here in the metro-Detroit area, as big and as special as opening day for the Detroit Tigers or at any major league baseball game. It's an event, and many begin planning for it weeks beforehand. Since it was on a Friday this year I had to take a personal day from work. But my co-workers all know me well and expect it. Some folks even have a little fun with my passion for the past. I mean, think about it: it's just boring old history. And, really, who cares? It's all in the past, dead and gone. Now, a Tiger's game, well that's something altogether different, right?
Ha-----I think not!
I love the Detroit Tigers as much as anyone, but, no, I'll take Greenfield Village.
So that's where I went on Friday April 15. In fact, my friend, Lynn, rode along with me, and she also had on her colonial garb.

When I wear my 1770s clothing at Greenfield Village, my first stop is always the Daggett house you see in the above farming picture. It is probably my favorite house in the Village.
By the way, I did a rather extensive posting about this house and the family who lived in it (click HERE to read it).

Looking through the parlor into the back of the kitchen.
I love watching and talking to the ladies as they prepare
their food for the day. Yes, they really do eat what they cook
over the open hearth.

Though the presenters who work inside do not do 1st person or immersion of any sort, they do give a wonderful presentation on preparing and cooking the food as it would have been done during the 18th century (click HERE for my post on colonial cooking).

We see people preparing food practically daily, but how often do we get to see it prepared in such a manner and in such a kitchen as you see here? Yep - that's why the Daggett House is so special. And the presenters are top-notch in every way.

The presenters not only speak about the daily activities women and men of the period would do, including spinning wool into yarn, beer making, cleaning, farming, woodcutting, and other chores most here in the 21st century have little knowledge of, but they give us information on the Daggett family as well, which is always very interesting.
But the best part to me is understanding that life in the 1700s was seasonal, and here at the Dagget House (and also at the 1880s Firestone Farm), each season is well represented, which is why I continue to return throughout the year. Um...okay...I did make a little mistake: since Greenfield Village closes up after Christmas and reopens in April, we don't get to see winter activities...

By the way, remember when I said my friend Lynn came along with me? Well, here is a photo I took of her sitting in the great hall of the Daggett house:

I saw Lynn sitting here during a lull in visitors, so I grabbed the opportunity to take a few period-appropriate pictures, including the one you see here.
If at all possible, I *try* not to use a flash so I can capture the natural light our ancestors would have seen.
Almost like a painting.

Here I am, walking toward the great hall (the main room) 
from the parlor.

Our next stop was another colonial favorite of mine, the home of John Giddings, built right around the time Samuel Daggett constructed his. The difference, however, is Daggett's was from the more rural farming community while Mr. Giddings, a prosperous merchant and shipbuilder, was a city dweller.

I always seem to be heading up the stairs.
Since the rest of the house is, unfortunately, plexi-glassed
off, a visitor really doesn't have much else to look at here.
I wish, I wish, I wish that the good folks  who run
Greenfield Village would allow presentations in Giddings
all season long as they did a few years back instead of 
only during the Fall Harvest and Holiday Nights. It was
interesting to compare colonial city life to colonial farm
life. The two houses would play off each other well, 
and the learning experience was wonderful.

Speaking of city versus country, this cabin, the birth place of William Holmes McGuffey, was built around 1780 in rural Pennsylvania.
One can never have enough firewood. Besides its use for warmth, it was also necessary for cooking as well as for preserving meat in the smoke house (the small out-building you see).

The pile of wood you see here would barely get the McGuffey's though a week during the non-heating summer months. It would probably only be enough for them to cook on the hearth. 
A wintertime quantity for one week would be double the amount seen here...and that's only one week's worth! 
Woodcutting was a never-ending chore for our ancestors.

And because it is in an open-air museum and no longer an actual home, it is reasonable to understand why Greenfield Village cannot show the public the insanely large amount of wood needed to run even a small cabin such as this.

Now, I have a little beef about this next structure, the birthplace of famed horticulturalist Luther Burbank. Built about 1800, Burbank was born here in 1849.  Over his 55 year career in studying and experimenting on plants, he developed more than 800 strains and varieties, including the Burbank potato.

His home is such a beautiful picturesque building, and for years the seven rooms inside were portrayed as they were during the time Burbank lived there, and even included the original cradle that Luther's father made for him at his birth. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Village management is not quite sure what to do with it; for a while it was a souvenir shop, but now it is mostly vacant, except for special events such as Holiday Nights. 

I have an idea! How about returning it to it's former glory as a historic home!
Well, at least I found the exterior of the house and surroundings to be perfect for an old colonial such as myself to utilize...

I did say "picturesque," right? How can it not be with the beautiful Ackley Covered Bridge in the background?

Because this house is from about 1800, it still has much of the same architectural design and characteristic in its style as houses built thirty years before it.
In fact, below is an old picture of the inside of the Burbank House when it was still furnished as a historic home:

Wouldn't it be great to see it like this once again? 
Ah, well, maybe one day it will return...
In the meantime - - - 

One final picture in front of this magnificent house. 
(A Lynn Anderson photo!)

As you probably know, I love eating at the Eagle Tavern, which was built right around 1831, so it's about 50 to 60 years into the future from my time in the 1770s. Pay no mind to the year of its construction, because this building can easily pass for a tavern during the Revolutionary War.

This is, perhaps, easily in my top two pictures taken of me on this day. Shelley Martinez planned, posed, and photographed me here, and it turned out perfectly.
My tricorn is off to you, Shelley (figuratively!), for taking such a fine shot. 
Thank you.

One of the nice things about visiting Greenfield Village in period clothing is making visitors happy. I am stopped frequently and asked to pose for pictures with them, which is always great fun. Many comment on how they enjoy seeing "American history" in me, which makes me proud. Yes, I am a true blue-blooded patriotic American, even if it's uncool to say so these days. I do let the visitors know, however, that I am not an employee but just a nut who enjoys doing this sort of thing any chance I can.
I also enjoy speaking to them a little about the importance of knowing our American history and to take advantage of this wonderful local gem - Greenfield Village - we are so lucky to have in our area.

The bridge, the goldfish, and the turtles. The beauty of a Michigan spring really shines inside Greenfield Village.

Over at the 1880s Firestone Farm, we find the girls
gathering the tools they'll need to work in the garden.

Today's chore at Firestone is working in the herb garden.
The piece of land right next to them will soon become
the kitchen garden. Every home should have one. We do.

Out in the Firestone field, the farm hands are training the new Morgans as they use a spring harrow to break up the clods of dirt.

The horses were a little skiddish but if anyone can break them in, these guys can. They have plenty of years and experience behind them to get the job done.

The spring harrow in action. Steve is a top-notch horse trainer along with his knowledge of 18th and 19th century farming.

To see real farmers doing the real thing as was done over a century ago is one of the many real historical pleasures that makes Greenfield Village so special. I can (and have) watched them for hours.

And in the end...that's it for my visit to Greenfield Village on Opening Day 2016. I always have such a great time there, and the wearing of period clothing always accents my visits, though I do wear modern clothing there once in a while (when I am in sort of incognito).
But wait---if you act now, you can see two more photographs not seen elsewhere in this post:

Just in time for Patriot's Day: look what I found on Ebay! A Paul Revere figurine and beer stein. Pretty cool, eh? The figurine goes well with my Colonial Williamsburg lighted-house collection (yes, I know it happened in Boston!), and the stein, well, that sits right next to the Old North Church lantern I have.

And, finally, here I am, Colonial Ken, out of time,
wearing a very nifty shirt I purchased from
 1776 United. 
Oh, and my tricorn hat!

So there you have it, my time celebrating Patriot's Day at Greenfield Village. Though I didn't go on April 19th - I do have to make a living, you know - the spirit of the date was with me. And since I hope to present as Paul Revere (click HERE to learn about my intent on that), it is even more exciting for me to get the word out.
Please do me a favor: even in these trying times, try to remember Patriot's Day and take a moment to either read about the events of that day or watch something about it on TV, for, to me, it's almost as special and important of a date as the 4th of July.
Til next time, see you in time.



If you want to read about the real story of Paul Revere's ride, please check out my post HERE.








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Presenting as Paul Revere: Dispelling the Myths

It was on Friday, October 16th of 2015 that I "came out" as Paul Revere for the first time.
Well, I suppose that's only partially true; I've portrayed Mr. Revere a few times before when I participated in Plymouth (Michigan) Historical Museum's 'Night at the Museum' parties for young elementary-age scholars; this is where a few of us living historians 'come alive' as famous people in history, whether as Abraham Lincoln, Abigail Adams, Amelia Bloomer, Civil War soldiers, or, ahem, Paul Revere, and teach the kids a little something about 'our' lives. We will each speak to the wee ones for about five minutes and then they move on to the next historical character. It is a very cool and fun learning experience for the kids - something I would have loved to have attended when I was young.

Here I am as Paul Revere at the Plymouth Museum's "A Night at the Museum" children's party.
This gave me a good start in my first 'famous historical person' endeavor.

Doing 'A Night at the Museum' was a great kick off for my future-past endeavor portraying one of my childhood heroes. However, the reason why I consider October 2015 as my first real presentation as Paul Revere is because rather than doing a five minute talk, I, instead, remained Paul Revere for around three hours in front of multiple middle school groups - 8th graders. To do something so extensive forced me to stay in that mode of thought for nearly the entire duration. That meant I had better know enough about the man to tell his story beyond the 'one if by land, two if by sea' knowledge that most folks have.
You see, throughout my dozen+ years in the living history world, I have had the privilege to meet and befriend amazing historical interpreters, among them being Fred Priebe, who portrays Abraham Lincoln, and Bob Stark, who interprets as Benjamin Franklin. Both men are first-rate at their craft and I consider them to be my mentors. When you speak to them while they are in character, you will feel that you are in the company of the real deal.
I want to be as good as they are.

I have been in the company of Mr. Abraham Lincoln.
Fred Priebe is known nationwide for his authentic portrayal
of our 16th president, and is well-respected among historical interpreters of all eras in time.

I have also had the good pleasure to meet Dr. Benjamin Franklin, as portrayed by Bob Stark.
Again, another very well respected and extremely knowledgeable historical interpreter who, like Mr. Priebe as Lincoln, has made me feel as if I actually met this so important Founding Father.
~
The two men you see in these two photographs are some of the best in the business, and I can only hope to learn from them on how to bring Paul Revere to life in such a manner as they have with Lincoln and Franklin.

~Preparing for my midnight ride ~ 
It's a pretty dark journey between 
Boston and Lexington...

Like Mssrs. Priebe and Stark, I want to do more than teach - - I want to be. But to do so, I need to be able to speak comfortably of Revere, and not only of the famous ride, but of other occurrences in his life as well, for it is my intention to try to dispel the many myths so prevalent today about the man.  I mean, sure, nearly every American knows (or should know) the basics of what happened on the night of April 18 and early morning of April 19 in the year 1775, but for me to convincingly become Paul Revere, I had better know beyond the common information so widely spread. I need to delve deeper into what occurred to Revere on the night of his most famous ride, including material on those who rode with him - William Dawes and Samuel Prescott - as well as of the many mechanics who helped out in other areas. I would also like to tell the audience about a few of his earlier rides that he did before the night of April 18th as a patriot courier.  
Then there are the other notable details in Revere's life such as his occupation as a tinsmith, of his two wives and sixteen children, the Boston Massacre, and of his Sons of Liberty adventures, including the Boston Tea Party (I was never taught in school that Revere took part in this). 
And I haven't even touched upon his military "career."
Finally, I need to be able to retain all of this biographical information; that will be the hard part for me.
There's so much to remember! 

I know I have quite a bit of homework to do here, and I can't be expected to know all from the get-go. It's going to take time to build up on my knowledge of the man. But I have the basics down and I pretty much can discuss the most popular aspects of his life, beyond the myths, fairly easily.

The additional information will come…a little at a time.

"My" rendition of 
the Boston Massacre. 
Mr. Revere freely "stole" from
another artist's print, 
something that was a common
practice at the time.
However, Revere's is the one 
that is well known today.

I must say, I was happy with the way my first real Paul Revere presentation at the middle school went; I feel I am off to a good start:  
each of the multiple presentations began with the history teacher reciting the infamous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Paul Revere's Ride."
Now, modern society in general (including quite a few politicians and celebrities) have tended to get their Paul Revere knowledge from this poem, believing it to be accurate. Unfortunately, most people don't realize that what Longfellow wrote back in 1861 was a dramatization, and he took liberties on facts. This is exactly why I had the history teacher read it - to allow me the opportunity to dispel the myths. And it was when the teacher came to the line in the poem, "It was two by the village clock, when be came to the bridge in Concord town..." that I, as Paul Revere, had had enough of the untruths and interrupted him to ask where he got such nonsense.   
"Why," he responded, surprised, "from this poem, Mr. Revere, that was written about you by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow!" 

Now, Revere might not recognize the name 'Longfellow,' but he certainly would have known 'Wadsworth,' for a man named Peleg Wadsworth was Revere's commander during the Penobscot Exhibition in 1779 (a botched event that occurred while Mr. Revere was an officer in the Massachusetts militia. I am sure he would rather forget about it). Peleg Wadsworth was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's maternal grandfather. Quite a connection in history, eh?

The Old North Church Lantern
A bicentennial replica from 1975 - 
200 years after the historic ride.

I then explained to the teacher and students that “I” never made it to Concord on the night of April 18th - I, instead, got captured by the Regulars not too long after leaving Lexington, and my borrowed horse was taken from me, so I had to walk back to Lexington, arriving by dawn in time to witness the beginning of the battle.
The teacher replied to this by asking me to please tell “my" story in my own words of the events of that fateful April night.
And that was where I took over and began to tell of my life as Paul Revere.
As I concluded my presentation, I told the audience of all the great men who were my/Revere's contemporaries, such as George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry...the list goes on. And I pointed out the fact that all of these great men came out of a New England population of only around 2.5 million people (1776 figures) as compared to the current United States population amount of about 320 million people.

Fun with facts and figures, eh?

 My presentation partner, Larissa, as 
Sybil Ludington - the female Paul Revere.
She has her own tale to tell.

But I am not alone in presenting at school events, by the way. I have a friend, Larissa, who I have partnered up with, and she portrays Sybil Ludington, a young girl considered to be the female Paul Revere. Once I concluded my part of the presentation, Larissa stepped up as Miss Ludington to tell her story, and how, on a stormy evening in 1777, this young 16 year old girl volunteered to warn the countryside of the attack from the British Regulars in Danbury, Connecticut. Combining our two stories helps to give our audience an idea of the Revolutionary War from the female perspective.
Larissa and I have formed our own little business we call "Our Own Snug Fireside" (after the excellent book of the same same), and we do presentations of not only Revere and Ludington, but also as an 1860s farming couple. It's in this way that we have been able to expand our social history coverage beyond one era.
We not only present at schools, but we've been to libraries, historical societies, and other places as well.
Who knows, maybe we can even do the the stories of Mr. Revere and Miss Ludington at reenactments.

Whether I am in front of a captive audience of a few hundred at a school as Paul Revere or speaking to a dozen visitors passing by my tent at a reenactment, I do my best to represent history in an accurate and realistic way. I do enjoy having historical discussions with the the folks who come to see us no matter where I am at - many come to reenactments with quite a bit of knowledge of their own and enjoy striking up great conversations, something I love. And it's great when they can share some of their knowledge - we can all learn from each other. But sometimes we have those who come out for the sole purpose of attempting to be know-it-alls and try to make reenactors look bad. This can create an uncomfortable situation because, well, let's face it, as a reenactor I am not here to have a personal discussion/disagreement/argument with a visitor. I am here to teach what I know. But some do try to entice us into a verbal battle. Kind of like the trolls on Facebook. When something like this occurs, I will generally give a kind response of "maybe we can save this for another time" and proceed on as I was in hopes they'll get the hint. After all, I am only human and bound to make mistakes or forget a few things once in a while. Also - shhhh! don't say this too loud, but---I am not an actual person from the past. (and for this year I may have to say) I am not really Paul Revere! I'm a living historian - I'm pretending!
Yes, believe it or not, I have used similar verbiage a few times during events when an armchair "History Channel" historian will not know when to stop interrupting and allow me to do my thing.
This comment usually shuts them up...usually.
Gotta have fun, no matter what, right?
Speaking of fun, did you notice the photograph earlier in this posting of me lighting my lantern? Yeah...I've been posing for photos here and there to help promote my Paul Revere presentations. The following pictures show a few more of me as Mr. Revere to accent my (hopeful) authenticity:

Paul Revere's silver shop was the cornerstone of his professional life. Although he became involved in other businesses, silversmithing was his earliest and most enduring pursuit.
(Not really Mr. Revere's shop, but a good substitute, eh?) 

Revere's business ledgers reveal that his shop was an active place. As the master of the shop he was responsible for both the workmanship and the quality of the metal. Silversmithing requires the heavy labor of pounding metal flat or raising it into shapes, a good eye for design, knowledge of the elements of style and a steady hand for engraving.

 

Silver & pewter...just as Mr. Revere advertised.
Yes, I did purchase some silver and pewter items to accent my presentation. Not all you see here, however!

So, finally, with all this talk about how Longfellow unintentionally revised history with his "Paul Revere's Ride," let's look at a few of these poetic myths he included and maybe de-mythologize a few of the poet's re-tellings::

~myth: The sole credit for the success of the ride was given to Revere only and he rode alone.

Fact: Revere was accompanied by two other riders, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott

~myth: All the events described in the poem occurred on the night of April 18, 1775.  Fact: The poem distorted the occurrence of events. The planning of the signals “one, if by land, two, if by sea” happened on April 16th, two days before the actual ride. The dead bodies in the Old North Church courtyard occurred the day after the initial battle at Lexington.

~myth: The signal in the North Church “One, if by land, and two, if by sea” was meant for Paul Revere  Fact: The signal was from Revere to the Patriots.

~myth: He climbed the tower of the Old North Church the night of the ride  Fact: Two days before the Midnight Ride he went to Charlestown and met Colonel Conant with whom he set up the plan to place the lanterns that would signal what route the British were taking. He did not climb the tower. It was the church sexton Robert Newman who climbed the tower and lit the lanterns.

~myth: There were dead bodies in the yard of the Old North Church  Fact: He did not go to the Old North Church that night and there were not dead bodies. The battle did not start until the next day in Lexington.

~myth: Revere rode triumphantly into Concord Fact: He rode to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock but never made it further to Concord because he was captured but soon released by the British soldiers. Another messenger Dr. Samuel Prescott, rode from Lexington to Concord to warn the residents.

~myth: His ride through the night was enjoyable and uneventful Fact: He was captured and interrogated by the British and then let go.

~myth: The purpose of Revere’s Midnight Ride was to solely prevent the British troops from capturing the secret store of ammunitions in Concord Fact: It is not widely known that it was not just the weapons that were stockpiled by the Patriots. Here are some of other items that were safeguarded by Revere’s early warning: spades, axes, medicine chests, tents, hogsheads of flour, pork, beef, salt, boxes of candles, wooden spoons, dishes, canteens and even casks of wine and raisins.

Well, there you have some corrections.


I have high hopes for my new endeavor as I continue to pursue colonial-era reenacting. I won't "be" Paul Revere each and every time I'm at an event, but, especially this coming year, I plan to give it a good go.
Wish me luck...

Other postings you may like:
To read a more extensive post I put together about Paul Revere's ride, please click HERE
To read of how colonists stood up to the British Regulars during an earlier raid, click HERE
To see a visual of the early days of the fight for liberty, click HERE
To read a general overview of life in the 18th century colonies, click HERE

Until next time, see you in time.










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