Patriots Presentation for a Local High School - plus a Bit About Historic Flags

Paul,  Sybil,  and Ben

I don't claim to have many people who I consider my heroes:  Jimmy Page is my guitar hero.  Al Kaline is my baseball hero.  My Dad and my Sicilian Grandfather are my personal  "family"  heroes.

But my main hero in history has always been Paul Revere.

Now,  I fully realize that none of my heroes are or were perfect.  I mean,  they were/are all human beings,  right?  And humans are far from perfect.  But still...Paul Revere has always held a special place in my American history heart.  So when I added the 18th century to my living history hobby  (for I mainly stuck with reenacting the 1860s before I added the Colonial/Rev War period in 2014),  I found my want of representing my hero tugging at me.

To be honest,  however,  I look nothing like the man;  Paul Revere was taller,  had a stronger,  huskier,  stocky build,  and had more of a rounded face than I.  But that doesn't mean I can't represent him...that doesn't mean I can't teach and present on his accomplishments during the beginnings of the American Revolution.

And on March 19th,  that's exactly what I did!

In fact,  there were a few of us founding representatives~

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So!

Here we are---at the cusp of celebrating America's 250th birthday!

I remember how excited I was back in 1976 for the Bicentennial,  but I think I'm more excited now for the Semiquincentennial,  for I was only 15 years old back in those  '76 celebrations.  I am much older now,  however,  and can actually take part in the America 250 celebrations!

And America's 250th was one of the things that was brought up during our recent Patriots Presentation at a local Metro-Detroit high school,  Warren Woods Tower.

Semiquincentennial - America250!

The thing is,  I did not do very well in history class during my jr.  high and high school years.  In fact,  my grades were downright poor in that subject.

Having to learn names and dates and little else just didn't hold my interest.

Surprised?

Now,  if you are a consistant reader of this Passion for the Past blog,  you'll know that I have been into history virtually my entire life.  But,  just as Henry Ford once stated  (back in 1916),  "History as it is taught in the schools deals largely with...wars,  major political controversies,  territorial extensions and the like.  When I went to our American history books to learn how our forefathers harrowed the land,  I discovered that the historians knew nothing about harrows.  Yet our country depended more on harrows than on guns or great speeches.  I thought a history which excluded harrows and all the rest of daily life is bunk and I think so yet."

I fully concur.

Every-so-often I will have assumptions made in my direction that since I am this  'major history buff '  that I probably skated through my history classes and received all high marks.  Are they shocked to find just the opposite!  Like Mr. Ford,  I had little interest in wars,  major political controversies,  territorial extensions,  and the like.  The thing is,  after studying history more on my own and researching my personal historical interests rather than what I was told to learn,  I actually became more interested  in some of the politics,  speeches,  and,  of course,  wars of long ago,  and sort of put it all together for a larger,  more cohesive complete picture of the past.

Larissa & I have been working in this capacity for over
a decade.  And Bob joined up with us about
a half dozen years ago.
We make quite a team!
And we make history interesting!

A school history memory that stuck with me:

It's 1976 and the teenage me is at a school assembly.  The person on the stage dressed in a suit and tie is speaking in a drab mono-toned voice.  And he's droning on about ...*yawn*... history ...and ...well... that gym floor certainly looks...awfully,  um,  comfortable...mmm...

Do you remember those days?

Yeah - - that's generally the way most presentations and assemblies were like for me when I was in school.  Even those that were centered on history.

Not a good experience.

I can only imagine how downright excited I would've been if we had living historians come to our school and present,  all dressed in clothing from the past!

Well,  now I  do historical presentations for schools,  and I do my best to make it anything but drab and boring,  for I dress in 18th  (or 19th)  century clothing,  bring replica period-accessories,  and try  (to some level of success,  I might add)  to convey the excitement that history has to offer.  But it's not just me---Larissa & Bob are also a part of this Patriots Presentations we do.  Also,  Larissa & I have been presenting historic daily farm life as a sort of duet for over a decade.  

And do the kids respond favorably?

You betcha!

Oh,  there are those who will always be perpetually bored.  But it's usually because they don't want to be in school anyhow and only want to play on their cell phones.

And there are always those who think what we as living historians do is silly or stupid.

Ahhh...that's okay,  too.   They have a right to their opinion.

The majority of the kids,  however,  really seem to enjoy it.

And,  as a bonus,  they learn something!

I usually begin the presentation by giving a background on what lead up to the frustrations of many of the colonists.  Depending on the age group,  I touch on The Stamp Act,  The Boston Massacre,  The Boston Tea Party,  and how Paul Revere arranged to have a signal lit in the Old North Church – one lantern if the British were coming by land and two lanterns if they were coming by sea – and how he began to make preparations for his ride to alert the local militias and citizens about the possible impending attack.

One if by land - two if by sea.
I showed my replicated lantern that signaled the night riders during the nighttime
hours of April 18,  1775.
So how many lanterns were hung in the Old North Church steeple?

(Shhh!  There were two!)

I also brought along a few historical flags.

The Taunton flag from 1774 was one of the first flags used within the Thirteen Colonies to express dissension against the Crown.  It also initially symbolised underlying loyalty to the Crown as the Union Flag was viewed as the King's Colors.

The Grand Union Flag is considered to be the first national flag of the 13 Colonies and  the United States,  for it flew from 1775  (still the colonies)  until 1777  (considering ourselves to be independent).  This flag consisted of 13 red and white stripes with the British Union Flag of the time.

From late 1775 we have the Gadsden flag,  featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the motto  "Don't Tread on Me,"  which symbolizes defiance against oppression,  a willingness to defend liberty,  and a warning against coercion,  originating as a symbol of the American Revolution. 

The Betsy Ross American flag is designed with 13 white stars on a blue field,  arranged in a circle to represent the unity of the colonies.  The stars are surrounded by 13 red and white stripes,  representing the 13 colonies that declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776.  It was adopted as our official flag in 1777.

There are some who do not believe Betsy Ross made this flag,  that this story is just that---a story...a mythical legend.  There are many pros and cons to this story,  none of which can be proven  (even though many use opinions as fact).  And,  despite the absence of written records to prove the Ross story,  there is mounting evidence leading more and more historians to believe the legend could be true.

I personally believe it to be true.  I do believe Betsy Ross made what we call the first American flag.  I've researched beyond opinions and facebook memes to find whatever available information I could.  

The kids seemed to be interested in these flags and their ties to American history.  And,  yes,  I fly them at my house during the warm weather months.

Off of the front of my house we see the Betsy Ross and Gadsden flags~

The Minutemen flag from Culpeper, Virginia from 1775,  and there's the Tauntin flag.

The pine tree flag as well as the Grand Union.

I had a little flag fun at Greenfield Village one beautiful 4th of July day back in 2014:

Could this be Betsy Ross & friends presenting the flag they sewed together to George Washington?
This was taken inside the Daggett House.

It was on another 4th of July that I,  once again,  brought my flag.
Knowing that Sam Daggett was a Patriot,  I decided to show his patriotism!  lol

This is not something I normally do while at Greenfield Village.  I do not take over anything or present to anyone while at the Village.  In fact,  this was the only time I brought the flag...and it was just to take pictures.  Yes,  it's kinda cool knowing my flag was photographed at and inside an actual 18th century house---or two - - - 

Even John Giddings was a Patriot!
So I brought my flag to his house as well.
B&K Photography,  who are friends of mine,  took a number of these photos.  So while we were posing,  a small group of people moved up and began asking flag questions.  Being somewhat of a vexillologist,  I was able to answer their questions.
(B&K Photography took this image)

One final stop on this day:
The Eagle Tavern~

Before the Civil War,  the American flag was primarily seen on military forts,  government buildings,  and ships.  The flag's popularity exploded in 1861 as a symbol of resistance against the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter,  and so the practice of flying American flags in front of homes gained significant popularity as a symbol of patriotism and opposition to the Confederacy during the Civil War years of 1861 through 1865.  The tradition of flying the flag in front of homes continued to grow after the war had ended,  becoming a common way for people to express their patriotism and cultural pride. 

I personally very much enjoy flying my historic flags and bringing them to events such as this school presentation.  By the way,  I also create a sort of  "street of flags"  at our special 4th of July at Mill Race Village.

So,  back to our Warren Woods Tower High School presentation:

Meet Sybil Ludington.
There are some who feel the story of Sybil Ludington is just that---a story.
However,  many others believe it to be true.
This is explained during the presentation.

James Ludington,  the namesake of Ludington,  Michigan,  was a successful Milwaukee businessman born in Carmel,  New York in 1827.   Yes,  according to the book  “The Story of Ludington,”  written by Paul S. Petersonthe,  James Ludington was the nephew of Sybil Ludington,  "a Revolutionary War hero,  often compared to Paul Revere." 

Meet Ben Franklin~
Ben Franklin showed the students the Declaration of Independence.
He also spoke a little on how it cane to be written.

By the way,  each student received a copy of their own!

Imagine having Ben Franklin,  Sybil Ludington,  and Paul Revere at your school!

Being able to teach kids history in this manner is truly fulfilling.  I know if there was something like this when I was in school I'da been on cloud 9 - it would've been a dream come true!

Most of the students were very attentive and knew their history!

And even though I was their para before I retired,  some still wanted to take a 

photo with me/us!

In my opinion,  learning history should be an experience - not merely a grade.  In science class we teach students by doing hands-on experiments.  In writing classes,  students are expected to expand their imaginations and write short stories.  Sometimes long stories.  In Physical Education  (aka  "gym class"),  students actually take part in the physical activities.  And with these direct experiences,  students understand the subject matter to a much larger degree than only by reading books,  looking at pictures,  or listening to a droning lecture.

It is the same with history.  Oftentimes when I am at Greenfield Village,  I see the excitement in youngster's faces upon watching a horse with a plow,  a Model T drive by,  an ancient printing press print out typeset copies,  sheep shearing,  and the spinning of wool into yarn.  I also see the wonderment in their eyes as they are bearing witness to the old-time activities;  the questions they may have of the different objects that might look strange to their modern sensibilities,  and the whys & wherefores of the chores of a long ago time before modern technology took over. 

It's these children and others like them that we must pull into the world of the past in an engulfing way,  for I believe with all my heart that to have a better future,  we must know the past...and not just think of it as a passing grade in class,  but to understand that it was filled with real people with real feelings of happiness,  sadness,  love,  anxiety,  pain,  and even pride and loyalty.

And that is one of the main reasons why Larissa,  Bob,  and I do what we do the way we do:  to teach,  and to teach as historically accurate as we can.

These kids at Warren Woods Tower High School were amazing.

April 18,  1775:  Paul Revere's Ride
April 19,  1775:  Battles of Lexington & Concord
Lest we forget...
And for this coming April,  I put together a reenactmen/commemoration of this major
event in American history - April 26,  2026 at Mill Race Village in Northville,  Michigan.

Until next time,  see you in time.

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Kalamazoo Living History Show 2025: A Photo Collection

The Kalamazoo Living History Show is more than a gathering of vendors selling their wares to reenactors - - it's an event!  A special annual event!  It is a gathering of the tribes,  so to speak.  It is a connection to others of the same ilk.  We who do iving history look forward to it all year long.

Oh,  absolutely!

If you didn't or couldn't go,  here's a load of photos showing what you missed - - - 

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                                                                                                                         Blame John Adams.

                                                                                                                           It's his  fault!

A scene from the John Adams HBO series

Okay...so it's not exactly his fault...rather,  it is his HBO mini-series'  fault.

More than anything  (or anyone)  else,  the HBO mini-series for John Adams  (first broadcoast in 2008)  renewed my love and passion and interest in America's colonial and early Republic period.  Before seeing this series,  the love I had for that time seemed to lay dormant for quite a while....just under the surface...since the time of the Bicentennial celebrations of 1976.  

But it was there.

When I looked to get into Revolutionary War reenacting,  in the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s,  I was,  more or less,  snubbed.  Seriously.  18th century reenacting folks actually talked me out of it.  However,  when I spoke to Civil War reenactors,  they welcomed me  (and my family)  with open arms.  So guess what I did?  Yup---I became a Civil War reenactor.  And I loved it---I learned so much about living history,  reenacting...and how to bring the past to life.

But America's colonial/Revolutionary War period continued to tug at me.  Then a friend mentioned the John Adams mini-series,  and so,  without even seeing it,  I ordered the DVD off of Amazon,  for it was something I simply knew I would like.  

Oh,  I didn't just like it - I surely loved  it!

One watch was all it took - - all of my passions for that period came flooding back.

I loved the history it showed,  the clothing...just all of it.

It soon became my all-time favorite historical film - - - - 

And it didn't take long for me to realize that was the era I wanted to  "visit."

Often...

So,  it was in 2014 that I finally got my colonial feet wet.

Then I soon after dove in head first.

And,  now?  Well,  if you've been reading this Passion for the Past blog since then,  there's not a question where my living history heart has firmly been placed.

Besides the usual questions reenactors frequently get asked:

"Is that a real fire?"

"Are you really going to eat that?"

"Aren't you hot in those clothes?"

there is another question I do get asked quite frequently:

"Where do you get your  'old-time'  clothing  (or,  ahem,  costumes)  and stuff from?"

Yep...that one certainly is brought up often. 

Why,  many of us living historians/reenactors in the southern half of Michigan's lower penninsula head out to the Kalamazoo Living History Show every March to get most of the items we need  (not costumes,  but period clothing),  including historic accessories.

So here is where I got my first set of 18th century clothing back in 2014---
Yep---right here!
I still  purchase many clothing items here!

From where I live just north of Detroit,  it's almost a three hour drive to the city of Kalamazoo.  Just imagine...nearly 300 of the finest artisans and vendors of pre-1890 clothing,  supplies,  and related accessories and crafts from throughout the United States and Canada come together to sell their wares to those who practice the art of living history.  Most of the items found at this exposition are from around the French & Indian War era  (1754 - 1763)  up through the time of the Civil War period  (1861 - 1865)  and everything in between,  including Native American,  Revolutionary War,  Regency,  and frontier/western,  and all of this takes place inside three very large reception halls/rooms.

Here is how it went this year of 2025~

With so many vendors,  I certainly did not take a picture of each.  I do try to show the variety of sellers who had tables,  but still...the following only gives a hint of  what was inside the three halls at the Kalamazoo Expo Center: 

Sage Trading had a very interesting look.

Axes and axe handles.

One seller had corn meal!

See that shovel there?
I almost bought it,  but,  sadly,  this vendor did not accept debit cards, 
If he did,  the shovel  (and maybe even the broom)  would have been mine.
This is a rare exception,  for most vendors accept cards.

Some vendors had quite a variety of items - almost like an old-time
early American general store!

Need a musket?
Various sellers had plenty on hand for sale.

Monmouth knit caps

Well-known local seamstress,  Pam Yockey,  was also a vendor.

Calf hides and deer hides...

Tinsmiths were selling their wares.

Gotta have the booksellers,  as you see the Todish's,  and most of the
books being sold were deeply marked down.

A good number of the attendees will dress in their period clothing when they come, 
such as JR Schroeder in his 1812  military gear.

And here is my good friend,  Susan,  and her business - Carrot Patch Farm.
Susan is in the wool business:  she spins,  dyes,  and knits...then sells.
Amazing.

Casey Samson and his wife,  Abbie,  own and operate Samson Historical,  "a colonial outfitter and living-history supply business."   This is where we in the cabin crew get most of our work clothes.  Though some in our group can and do sew,  Samson's sells colonial-era work clothing that allows us to look pretty darn historically accurate---meaning,  we're not afraid of getting our period clothing dirty.

Most of our clothing you see us wearing here came from Samson's Historical.
And,  yes,  we're not afraid to actually work and sweat in them.

We'll be back to spring cleaning and planting before you know it!

My wife Patty came along for the first time in years,  and the first thing she decided to get was a new pair of colonial-period shoes.  Abbie Samson of Samson's Historical was most gracious in helping her to find a decent pair that she can wear while working in the garden at the cabin.

My favorite historical clothiers~
If you don't sew your own,  this is the place to go,
in my humble opinion,  for Abbie researches
everything she sells.

Pattylou got a new pair of shoes!

"Unveiling the past with passion,  Samson Historical is a trusted source for authentic 18th-century expertise.  From meticulously researched and crafted period clothing to artisan-made products from all over the world,  we deliver to you the rich history of the 18th century and Regency era."

Here I am with my good friend,  Jennifer.
The reason that I posted this photo is to show you my new waistcoat that I purchased from Samson's Historical.

The Salty Lantern also has a variety of 18th century items,  including beds and...

Bob,  the builder  of my shaving horse  (see what I did there? lol),  built another to sell at his vendor's area.
Bob Stark  (aka Ben Franklin)  is a woodworker and builds the many wooden items he uses in his camp,  including single beds and bunk beds. 

My favorite stop for 18th century accessories:

Jas.  Townsend is my favorite place to go for lanterns
and straight-last shoes!

"The educational YouTube channel  "Townsends"  is created and hosted by Jon Townsend,  who also runs the business,  which sells items related to the 18th century and American Revolutionary War."

Here I am with the owner and operator of Townsends,  Jon Townsend 

Townsends has such a large collection of accessories.  Between Townsends and Samson's,  pert-near everything one may need to time-travel is available.  Both companies will work with you as well.

The living historian  (and actress)  who portrays the Irish indentured servant Maggie Delaney  (actress Carol Jarboe)  was also at the Kalamazoo expo.  She tells of the hardships of indentured servitude.  I have her DVD where she speaks,  for nearly an hour,  in a thick Irish brogue,  giving the viewer her story,  sometimes being a bit whimsical and other times bringing us to tears of sadness.

Maggie Delaney's DVD is also available at Townsend's.

A number of folk were actively showing their handi-crafts.  I happily worked Bob Stark's shaving horse,  but I only did that for a few minutes,  for I wanted to make it through each large room to see all the vendors.  I did get to see most,  but not all.

Anyhow,  here are a couple images of folks there who did demonstrations~

I commissioned Bob  (proprietor of The Salty Lantern)  to build me a shaving horse last year,  which he did. 
 So when he saw me a-coming up the way,  he asked me to demonstrate.

Of course,  I was very happy to oblige.

Some demonstrated the large walking wheel,  popular during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Hide scraping - tanning was also demonstrated.

There were gunsmiths there who were making muskets,  beginning with wood blocks and showing the steps to the finished product,  but that was so crowded that during the time I was in the same room as them it was almost impossible to get any kind of a decent picture,  for they drew large crowds.

Various folk set up tables to advertise their reenacting units:

Dalton was there,  representing  (as the sign says)  the 49th Regiment of Foote.
I appreciate the 49th greatly for they have supported me at my Patriot's Day - Battle of Lexington & Concord as Redcoats.  They also support the 4th of July celebrations I head up as well.
In return,  I try to support them for their Taylor Colonial Days event in June.

Ah---the gleesome threesome!
lol
Tony,  on the right,  heads up the 1st Pennsylvania Continental group.
The 1st Pennsylvania has also supported my Patriot's Day event by coming
out as militia.
I try to support any of their endeavors as well.

One of my favorite streaming channels dedicated to history is called History Fix.
Yes,  those who run the channel were also there!
Quite an event,  this Kalamazoo Living History Show!

Scott Mann,  on the left in this picture,  heads up the
Queen's Rangers - 1st American Regiment - Highland Company. 

The Queen's Rangers host the
Vermilion Creek Colonial Gathering event every fall.

The Kalamazoo Living History Show is also a reunion of sorts.  Given that I reenact multiple time periods,  my reenacting friendships have grown tremendously - I knew so many people there!

A few folks hanging around the 1st Pennsylvania table:
Dave,  Tom,  EJ,  and Tony.
(A Jennifer Monarch picture)

EJ - - - strike a pose!
I've known this young man since he was around 9 or 10 years old.
He's 19 now - - - - 

Here we have Brent Kemmer and his missus from the 

The Massachusetts Provincial Battalion

Brent hosts the wonderfully large Frankenmuth event every July.

French & Indian War,  Revolutionary War, Natives,  Voyageurs,  

and Frontiersmen all participate.

Daughter Abby with her father,  Bob.
Not only do the two of them run  "The Salty Lantern,"  but Bob portrays Benjamin Franklin,  and Abby portrays Abigail Adams on the 4th of July.  She also does presentations on the Boston Tea Party and the speaks of the kinds of tea that was dumped in the Boston Harbor.

Natives were there.
I was told their tribal name but cannot remember it - I believe they are from New York.
I know many,  if not most,  of the Michigan tribles,  but their tribe is not,  ahem,  native  to Michigan.

And I took a snap of this Regency  (early 19th century)  couple.

As is our tradition,  the few of us that took the trip to Kalamazoo together - myself,  my wife Patty,  Charlotte,  and Norm - went out to eat on our way back home.

This year our restaurant of choice was the Battle Creek Big Boy:

Since Patty was not  "dressed"  she took the picture.

Our waitress was a former reenactor,  so she didn't ask us all kinds of  "Why are you dressed like that"  questions.  But there were other employees and patrons who certainly had curious looks about them!

As we moved toward our vehicle,  Big Boy himself was waiting for us, 
so we stopped to allow him to be in this picture.
By the way,  we did wish Norm a happy birthday! 

And there it was:  the Kalamazoo Living History Show came and went like Christmas morning---way too fast!  But such a great time!  Yes,  I am alsready looking forward to next year!

By the way,  I had numerous folks comment to me how much they enjoy this Passion for the Past blog!

Wow - that really touches the heart!

Thank you.

Truly - - 

thank you.

(Blame John Adams indeed!)~

Until next time,  see you in time.

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