Colonial Fort Wayne Detroit 2021

Four weeks in a row!

I certainly am making up for lost time!

2020 - get thee behind me!!

.   .   .

Naturally,  as reenactors,  we know that the weather can make or break an event,  for the most part.  Considering we were supposed to have some nasty storms roll through on Saturday,  we got lucky and just had a few on and off light rain showers - mostly off - and even spots of sun.  So it wasn't too bad.

Sunday was just hot and muggy.

Though not packed with visitors,  those who did come out were history buffs.  It was wonderful to speak especially to the teen and twenties set about putting themselves into the environment of past times rather than look down on our ancestors.

So,  like my previous reenacting posts,  this will be mostly photographs.  After all,  a picture is worth a thousand words,  right?

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Although the amount of reenactors reenacting at reenactments have been on the more,  shall we say,  lighter side  this year,  it's still a joy for me to be out again participating with others.  Last year,  in 2020,  there was one bonafide public invited reenactment in these parts for RevWar and one  "certified"  non-public event for Civil War.  And,  well,  there were numerous non-official events,  where a few of us simply donned our period clothing and enjoyed time spent in historical settings.  But this year,  as I mentioned,  I am four for four for actual events...in the 18th century.

Unfortunately,  Civil War reenacting is sliding quickly into the abyss.  It seems very few are interested in reenacting that period anymore.  And,  no,  I do not believe it's because of those who are a part of the  "woke cancel culture"  (a group/belief system I despise,  I might add),  but,  rather,  more to a variety of differing reasons,  including the ageing out of many current reenactors.

Then there is the jump to the ever-popular World War II.

However,  American Revolutionary War/Colonial seems to be holding its own,  maintaining a steady and even growing population,  even though the numbers have been a bit lower so far this year.

I've a feeling that will change soon:

On Saturday there were a few rows of tents dotting the area inside the star fort.

I was pleased at the number of members from Citizens of the American Colonies that came out.  Citizens is a historical reenacting group I formed that is based in the metro-Detroit area of Michigan for men and women who enjoy portraying the era from 1765 to 1790 through living history by way of clothing,  accessories,  and 1st  &  3rd person interpretations – all aspects are important in bringing the past to life. 

Here are four members of Citizens of the American Colonies:
Charlotte,  Jackie,  Jennifer,  and Amy.
We had a total of eight members come out,  including myself.
Not a bad showing.

The Belletre Detroit were there - it's always good to see Detroit's French roots!

Based out of the Detroit/Southeast Michigan area,  Belletre is a French & Indian War reenacting society dedicated to the preservation and education of the mid-18th Century military and civilian life.

(from their website)

Belletre Detroit's silk flags.

I've known the Belletre for a number of years,  but it seems like at Colonial
Fort Wayne we finally had the chance to talk a bit more than just a greeting.

My friend  (and Citizens member)  Susan was set up,  her wheels in tow.
She even brought along her woolen articles to sell,  for she is a sutler 
(The Carrot Patch Farm),  selling her wares to the reenacting public or to
any who may be interested in purchasing her quality merchandise.
I do - the socks you see me wearing here she had made!

Here I am with my friend Jennifer.
Susan made my stockings with wool from the sheep on her farm.

Susan,  by the way,  also belongs to the Queen's Rangers reenacting unit,  which was founded in 2014 by long-time RevWar reenactor Scott Mann.  Scott,  who has been in this hobby since the bicentennial,  formed the unit for the same reason many of us get involved - for the love of teaching history. 

Queen's Rangers.
Scott Mann,  in the center there,  heads up this group.  His is the host unit for the
 Fort Wayne event,  as well as the Vermillion Creek event in October. 

Mike and Scott.
Mike officiated at Scott's 2016 wedding, 
which is how he got involved in RevWar reenacting.

I have to admit,  there is a reverence I have in not only reenacting the time of our
founding generation,  but being around others who do the same.
It resonates with me like no other era.

Though the barracks building was built in the 1840s,  much of an 18th century feel retains,  so the following photos still have a strong 1770s sense to them:

Peeping through the window is to peak into another time...

There is almost a ghostly ethereal feel to these window shots,  with the reflections
coming from both directions.

I formed Citizens of the American Colonies in 2015.  There were a number of us who had been doing the Civil War era for years - decades,  even - and were interested in trying a different time period.  But because we were all friends,  and because we each had differing portrayals - some British,  some American,  some French,  and some Native American -  we did not seem to fit together into one group or category available to join,  so forming our own group,  allowing us to interpret in our own manner,  was a natural step.  Hence:  Citizens of the American Colonies.

Mark,  on the right,  another Citizen's member,  also portrays a Voyageur, 
as well as a Native American.
I like that our group has such a variety - we're always looking for living historians
who want to portray the lives in an authentic and well-researched manner of the
diverse people of the 18th century.

Jennifer & Amy brought along a light lunch for us - fruits,  breads,  and cheese.
It was nice that we could use the bay inside the fort that had the most authentic
look for our time to it.

Yes,  we also reenact the Civil War era.
Reenacting the colonial period,  however,  is giving us the opportunity to study
another time in our great American history.  Researching is half the fun,  and then
putting that research into action completes it.

A toast to the Citizens of the American Colonies!
As reenactors,  we certainly live interesting lives,  don't we?
We can experience times past in ways most folks can't even imagine.  It's almost
like we've jumped into our history books.  Some people think we are
totally off our rocker because of our hobby!

I suppose,  in a way,  we are.

Bonkers,  that is.

But then,  all the best people are!  

(Yes,  I swiped that from the Alice in Wonderland movie).

So here's to all of us who are a bit bonkers!

And it's great to have Amy out as well.
Our next 18th century get-together will hopefully be on July 4th.
This year of 2021 will be the 245th anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence.

My friend Jackie.
Like most other Citizens members,  she is also a long-time Civil War reenactor
who has found a different sense of solace and interest in the 18th century.
Plus,  as she has said,  she gets to research a whole new era in time!

Now we have Larry from the Northwest Territory Living History Association.
I very much enjoyed his presentation on cannons and their missiles.
Especially when the cannon was fired:

I always try to catch the flame as the cannons fire,  which I haven't yet.  
However,  I caught the lighting of the wick,  just a split second before the explosion.
And below,  about three seconds after:

One day I will capture the flamed image...

Citizens of the American Colonies and military mingling,  just as it was!

These two guys---
when they ain't standing...

...they're sitting!
But,  Ken,  on the right,  has a pretty awesome Windsor chair that I want. 
Methinks I'm going to have to bribe him for it!

So...as I drove up to the entry gate of Detroit's Historic Fort Wayne when I returned on Sunday,  the guard inside looked at me,  eyes wide,  and said,  "You're the real deal!  I think I saw you on some money!  Is your last name Jefferson?"

And then he got sincere and said,  "Seriously,  you look really authentic."

That right there is what makes it for me.

In my Sunday clothing on a Sunday at Fort Wayne Detroit.

That's my son using his pen & ink set while Susan is taking a well-deserved rest as her beau's daughters play a game of  Go Fish. 
Now I cannot find exactly when this particular card game was invented,  but most tend
to say it was in China about a hundred years ago.
But you know what?
It kept these girls busy for quite a while.  And how many kids today actually
play cards anymore?
Good for them!

I've been ecstatic at the amount of reenactments that have been taking place so far.  And there are plenty more events coming this summer,  including Independence Day,  which is only a bit more than a week away  (as of this writing),  and even a couple of,  believe it or not,  Civil War reenactments.  

So glad!

Returning home from Fort Wayne,  the heat and humidity was pretty over-bearing, 
so I took a seat before I jumped through the looking glass into the 21st century, 
where I still do not have air-conditioning!

Many reenactors are diving into WWII,  which is cool,  for they are still showing not only American history but world history as well.  I have a few Civil War friends who are now heavily into WWII,  and -  my gosh! - they do it perfect!  

Some of these friends have also included RevWar as well.

And,  yeah,  more perfection - - - - 

In other words, they are doing three well-researched eras with full-fledged bonafide reenactments where they literally take part in interpretation and presentation way beyond fashionistas!

My hat,  whether cocked  (tri-corn)  or top hat,  is off to these well-researched people.

However,  I think I'll stick with two.  Even with Civil War on the wane,  the 1760s and 1770s fills my cup til it runneth over.  Especially with the wonderful living historians who are with me,  for they take it as serious as I. 

I simply cannot get enough.

Until next time,  see you in time.

Thank you to Jennifer Long for supplying me with a few pictures to add to my own.

To visit the Historic Fort Wayne web site,  please click HERE

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