Most people in the reenacting world who live in the northern parts of these United States will take a break from our hobby, usually beginning in the fall months through the end of May. Ah, but that's not for me, for my so-called reenacting season doesn't necessarily end at all. Oh, there might be a break during the month of February, but by late March, I'm back in my period clothing once again, preparing for the proverbial new season.I have been lucky enough to find plenty of reasons to throw on the period clothing and do something 'historical,' no matter what time of year and no matter what the excuse. So I thought I'd share some of my activities with you from March, April, and early May for this week's posting.
Yes, you will find plenty of pictures, stories - some which are fun and some which are a bit more serious - but all involving reenacting in some form or another.
Let's begin with an answer to the question so many visitors ask us:
"Where do you get all of your reenacting stuff?"
Many can tell that our clothing goes beyond the costume shop polyester product. They may still call what we wear a costume, but they can usually tell it is of a much higher quality. Let's face it...what we wear at reenactments are real clothing, it's as simple as that. And when they see some of our accessories that we use or display, it's almost like we are a painting from the past come to life.
And that's as it should be.
As most reenactors know, there are plenty of sutlers at events or on the internet where we can purchase supplies and clothing needed for our hobby.
But, the month of March is a much-looked-forward-to month here in the North Central region of the U.S., because this is when (and where) the Kalamazoo Living History Show takes place.
Now...just imagine:
three wedding-size halls, each filled with row after row after row of vendors, all selling their historical wares. The Kalamazoo Living History Show is a very anticipated weekend for thousands of us who make the strong attempt to bring the past back to life, even if only for a couple days at a time. For it's here that the living historian/reenactor can pretty much find nearly anything he or she may need to complete their kit, whether soldier or civilian. Even long-time "time-travelers" attend, sometimes for no other reason than to visit with friends in the hobby.
So...here are a few - only a few - photos from the Kalamazoo Living History Show to give you a glimpse of why so many of us save our pennies year 'round to attend:
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| First off, here are my traveling companions (minus one, who did not dress period, but he did take this picture!) |
The Kalamazoo Living History Show features hundreds of vendors and covering three large wedding reception-size halls, row after row of all things for the living historian.
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I always enjoy speaking with Mr. Kutch, the tinsmith. He is the one who took a bit of time to fix my pewter replica of the "Old North Church' lantern a couple years back.
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| Yes, there was more than one dealer selling tin at the show. |
The K'zoo show is always a great excuse to put on your period clothing - -
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| And I always run into a variety of friends who set up shop there, as does Ms. Hanson (on the right), a dealer in homespun wool she spins and dyes herself. |
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| As you can see, I'm not the only shopper to dress period; many others enjoy coming this way as well.  |
Next on our list....
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Here is Abbie from Samson Originals. She and her husband now run the family business and have greatly expanded their line, recently adding menswear, such as waistcoats, coats, breeches, tricorn hats, and socks. |
Now, you may recognize this man by the wonderful collection of You Tube videos he hosts.
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He is also one of the most well-known vendors of 18th and early 19th century goods: Jas. Townsend (now just called Townsends), and here I am with the owner. I've not purchased my clothing from them, so I cannot tell you either way how they are, but I have purchased my shoes from them, and they are long-lasting, comfortable, and historically accurate (yes, I've compared them to other places and they are just as well made). |
Moving on...
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| I would love to have a handmade Windsor chair; maybe one day I will, and here is the guy who makes 'em, proprietor T. Thompson |
That's what this person did - - - - - -
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Imagine how great this would look on your table beneath the fly.
These are the sort of items that will bring the past to life for not only the visitor, but will add to the quality of the overall appearance of the reenactor as well.
(Above picture taken by Lynn Anderson)
 Not too bad for being thrown together quickly. Since acquiring some pretty authentic looking replications, I know will be able to give my table at reenactments a more period look. That's the goal. And it's at the Kalamazoo Living History Show where I've purchased a number of the items (among other places on line). |
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| Fine dresses were available for the ladies. |
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| My friend Richard the blacksmith - one of the best in the business. |
Then there are the items that make the battles come to life:
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Musketry & Powder Horns
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Mrs. Root was also present with her husband, who happens to be a gun/musket maker as well, and also sells a variety of hatchets, knives, and powder horns (of which he also makes).
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Of course, there are books galore!
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| Yes, plenty of books. One can never have too many books, especially if the subject is history! |
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| Meeting up with more friends! If you've ever seen the Civil War Civilian Closet on Facebook, then you may recognize the young lady in this photo. Yes, that is the one and only Jenna Theissen! And that's her husband, Jon, as well. I was so happy to finally meet them in person - - they need to jump over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin to visit more often! |
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| That's my son Rob on the left with our friend Tony. Tony sewed Rob's new frontier frock you see him wearing here. Pretty cool, huh? Perfect for his portrayal in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment Revolutionary War unit. Them Redcoats better look out! |
Now on to April:
I'd like to tell you of a couple of anecdotes about my adventures wearing period clothing while in the modern world (one was printed here recently but it bears repeating, though this first one you have not heard yet):
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| Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps (Picture courtesy of Lisa Buttigieg LiGreci) |
She replied, "um...2018..."
Ben Franklin and I both exclaimed, "We made it" and high-fived each other.
We then moved to the counter to order our meals. I asked the young lady if she had fresh meat to serve. She replied in the affirmative. I then asked if she might be willing to put it in between two pieces of sliced bread after cooking it, and maybe add a variety of seasoning such as tomato sauce catchup, moustarde, and a pickled cucumber for extra flavor.
She said she could do that.
Then she asked me if I would like to donate a dollar to the kidney foundation. I agreed to do so and she gave me a paper cloverleaf to sign along with a marker (Sharpie). I asked her where the ink bottle was, and she looked at me dumbfounded. Dr. Franklin took the marker from me, pulled off the cap, and I said, "Pre-inked pens! Now that is interesting."
I turned to the cashier and said, "You folks in the 21st century think of everything!"
Then I signed the paper as Paul Revere.
*sigh*
I wish we would've taken pictures...
We then went to participate in the charity for the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps, where we sat near the hearth to add some ambiance as well as to visit for a while. Numerous doners came up to take our pictures.
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| Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, and a gentleman, who's name, I am ashamed to say, escapes me. |
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| Yes, I know I should have removed my hat, but a couple other photographers asked me to put it on when they were taking their own pictures, so I just left it on. |
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| Do you want to know what crazy is? I will tell you what crazy is. Crazy is when you feel more comfortable - and people say you look more suitable...more rightful...kinda like I belong - while wearing 1770s clothing. Isn't that a bit crazy? But I must admit they are pretty cool clothes. (Picture courtesy of Lisa Buttigieg LiGreci) |
So on the morning of Saturday, April 21, as I drove to Greenfield Village while wearing my colonial clothing, the temperature gauge on my van went deep into the red, meaning my motor was about to overheat. I was on I-94 near the I-75 exit (exit 216) right in the heart of Downtown Detroit. Traffic was creeping along at a snail's pace, for there was an accident in the left lane, and the right lane was closed for construction, leaving only the center lane to accommodate thousands of autos in this major metropolis. Luckily, I was able to drive my van over to the side - the people let me through from the center lane. I got out and opened the hood - it seemed to me that my thermostat may need replacing.
Anyhow, seeing that traffic on 94 was at a crawl, and so many saw me dressed as, shall we say, Paul Revere, many honked and waved, and a truck driver yelled out, "Is everything alright?"
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| There I am, near the tow truck. And there's my van. The tow-truck driver took the picture after we dropped off the van. |
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| Then the tow truck driver wanted a picture with me, so I put my tricorn hat on him, and, as you can see, he loved it! |
He really laughed pretty hard, gave a thumbs up, waved, and crept along on his way.
When the tow-truck driver saw me, he just smiled and said, "I love my job!" and gave me this big ol' hug and then said, "You made my day!"
After getting my van to the repair shop near where I live, the tow truck driver took a picture of me, and then he had us take a selfie together...with him wearing my tricorn hat.
He commented about how he couldn't wait to show the other drivers at the garage.
And, lucky for me, I was able to get a copy of the two pictures he took.
The moral of my story? When lemons are sent your way, lemonade isn't far away.
So much for my trip to Greenfield Village on that Saturday, but at least I got to have a little fun, in spite of the situation.
For I was able to celebrate Patriot's Day the very next day, Sunday April 22.
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| I was hoping the reflection in the water would have been a little clearer, but it's still kind of a cool picture. |
I cannot get enough!
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| To me, I can think of nothing more traditional Americana than a white picket fence and a covered bridge. And throw in a colonial guy to boot. |
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| At the Susquehanna Plantation. People just don't seem to sit on the front porch anymore. But I do, even in my (sort of) modern suburban home. |
If I had the money, I would build an exact replication of this saltbox house, originally built by Samuel Daggett in 1750. Here I am with Roy, working on the kitchen garden in the back, but you will see its front shortly. To me this house epitomizes the colonial home.
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| The rural colonial farmer of modest means, such as the Daggetts, relied heavily on family for labor, and what they grew depended on their location. But in general, aside from wheat and corn, as well as a variety of squash and vegetables from their kitchen gardens, farms typically would have orchards of apples and fields of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. |
Now let's jump to May.
As you can see, the leaves are beginning to sprout on the trees only three weeks from my last visit.
This time I came in modern clothing to solely to shoot a few pictures, for it was a rainy day and that help to set a mood I was looking for.
And what better place to begin than the front (and side) of the Daggett House.
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| This is, perhaps, my favorite house inside Greenfield Village, followed by the Giddings Home, Firestone Farm, and the Eagle Tavern. Imagine what Samuel Daggett and his wife, Anna, would think if they knew their name would be carried on and their modest home would be visited by millions inside an open-air museum. |
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| The colonial kitchen had a "warm, glowing heart that spread light and welcome, and made the poor room a home. (It) was the most cheerful, homelike, and picturesque room in the house..." Alice Morse Earle~ |
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Without
refrigeration, food supplies and routines changed with the seasons. Spring and
early summer were the leanest times of the year, with supplies running short.
Garden produce was much more plentiful in later summer & fall...
But
these women of colonial days who spent their time preparing meals were nothing short of culinary
geniuses: "
And they certainly did! |
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| It was a rainy day in May at the Village, but the weather can lend a special sort of ambiance to any scene, for the grayness and shadows lend an interesting feel that brighter days cannot depict. |
Yes, there is no other place quite like it.
For my final spring time-travel excursion for this posting, on May 12 I participated in my second "Night at the Museum" party of the year at the Plymouth Historical Museum. This is where pre-teen kids can spend their birthday with friends watching the "Night at the Museum" movie and then enter the Plymouth Museum proper to see 'mannequins' of (usually famous) historical figures magically come to life and speak to them about their lives.
Of course, I present myself as Paul Revere.
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| "Paul Revere" speaks with the youngsters about his famous ride that took place on the night of April 18, 1775. (Photo courtesy of the Plymouth Historical Museum) |
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| And here you see this night's participants posing for a group picture. What a cool birthday party this would be! (Photo courtesy of the Plymouth Historical Museum) |
Yes, I do greatly enjoy my time in the 1860s, but the 1770s is really my favorite era, and it seems almost a forgotten period in our nation's history. Thank God for such successful TV shows/series such as HBO's John Adams and AMC's Turn: Washington's Spies that has helped to rekindle that passion for early American history for so many, including me.
I hope you enjoyed visiting some of my spring-fling time-travel excursions. As I said way back at the beginning, I personally have no reenacting 'season' - if I enjoy it, why would I not continue?
Until next time, see you in time.
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