When History Is Destroyed, It Is Gone Forever: The 1825 Sheldon Inn

"And what do you want to bet those same people will travel out east and will  "ooo"  and  "ahh"  over the quaint New England villages that are 200+ years old."

From a commenter on a Detroit Historical Architecture page upon finding out the subject of today's posting has been razed.

(I actually wrote this post in spring 2021,  but could not fit it into the schedule until now)~

. ~ _~ .

I have to say,  I am pretty upset.

A building nearly 200 years old is a rarity here in Michigan.  Even though the metro-Detroit area has been settled by Europeans since 1701  (and centuries before by native Americans),  most structures from that early period are long gone.  In fact,  there are relatively few buildings erected before the 1850s still around.  

So now,  in typical Michigan fashion,  another important piece of the state's past,  and thus,  America's past,  has recently been torn down.

The Sheldon Inn - gone forever.

The Sheldon Inn was built and established as a tavern and stagecoach stop in 1825 ---1825!  Nearly 200 years ago!--- and,  until this past January  (2021),  it stood in its original location facing the Sauk Trail  (known now as Michigan Avenue / US 12 / Chicago Road).  This Inn was built by Timothy and Rachel Sheldon.  The couple moved from Monroe County,  New York,  with all their possessions in a wagon,  intending to settle further to the west,  but when they camped for the night on the Chicago Road two days from Detroit,  they were impressed with the surrounding area and decided to settle there.  On June 6,  1825,  the Sheldons purchased 160 acres near their overnight camping spot, including the property on which this building sat.  They were the third landowners in Sheldon Township,  filing their claim only a week after their first two neighbors.

It was here that they built a Greek Revival home on their land,  and the building almost immediately became an inn,  serving the influx of travelers and settlers spreading westward from Detroit.  The Sheldons farmed the surrounding land,  and soon the hamlet of Sheldon Corners grew around the inn.

Nine years later,  Sheldon Corners would become Canton,  Michigan,  which is still its current name.

In 1830,  Timothy Sheldon became postmaster of the area's post office,  and the next year,  Rachel Sheldon purchased an additional 80 acres adjacent to this property.  The town would soon boast a log schoolhouse,  two general stores,  two churches,  a cemetery,  a cobbler,  and three blacksmiths.

It is interesting to think that this inn was on the same trail - the same road - as other inns and taverns,  such as the Eagle Tavern  (originally known as the Parks Tavern when built in 1831 - now relocated to historic Greenfield Village)  and Walker Tavern,  now a museum on its original site,  both lovingly restored.  

Heading west from Detroit,  the first stop outside of the city was the Sheldon Inn.  The next tavern up would be the Eagle Tavern,  followed by the Walker Tavern...

It was because of the opening of the Erie Canal the same year that this Inn was built that many folks from New York and New England traveled west,  countless settling here in Michigan,  helping it to become the 26th state.  And it was taverns and inns such as the Sheldon Inn that these travelers stayed at as they traveled along the dirt and corduroy roads to the state's interior or further on to the Lake Michigan coast.  

And now,  due to the brilliance of the powers-that-be,  this wonderful piece of Michigan history that helped to tell this historic story is no longer.  

This really makes me sad...and,  in all honesty,  pretty angry - - - once history is destroyed,  it's gone forever.

Eighteen twenty-five...

Once a stagecoach stop,  the Sheldon Inn as it sat not too long ago in its 

original location,  still facing the old Saul Indian Trail,  is now no longer. 

Much of my anger stems from the strong hint that,  as far as I can tell through my internet research,  it has been razed seemingly for no reason.  This was all I could find about its demolition,  which came from the HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION CHERRY HILL SCHOOL:

"Sheldon Inn Demolition Notification

Discussion was had regarding the call to the Township wherein the owner of the Sheldon Inn at 44134 Michigan Ave. has notified staff of his intentions to demolish the building. The owner of this Nation Register Property has called and has advised staff that the building is no longer occupied by residents as it has served as an apartment for the past several years. The Inn is not included in the Canton Township Historic Preservation Ordinance. The owner has agreed to allow the commission to enter the building and photograph anything they wish to photo document the structure. Additional consideration will be discussed with the owner to include the possible filming of the building and the return to the Township the National Register designation sign so that it can be held by the Historical Society."

Now,  it gives no definite hint of a reason why the owner wanted it razed.

Was there unrepairable structural damage?

It sure didn't look like it from the outside to me.  And allowing people to enter to photograph the inside is also a telling sign there was nothing dangerous about the building.

So why would such a historic building allowed to be torn down?

I know,  I know...yes,  the owner has the right to do as he/she pleases.  But this building played a strong role in the history of Michigan and even the U.S.

And it was nearly 200 years old!

Was there even an option for someone to buy it?

The Sheldon's added a one-story wing to the house in the 1830s for an unmarried sister.

Think of the history that took place inside these walls.  

In the great scheme of things,  saving history may seem minor to many.  But it is also important to many,  hence why we have preservation going on throughout the entire world.  And it always seems that during discussions on the razing of historic buildings there are those few who like to needle the rest of us by making snarky,  asinine remarks aimed at those who believe in historical preservation.

And,  as noted in the oh-so-true comment at the top of this post,  these very same people will travel east to visit the history preserved there,  ooo-ing & ahhh-ing at the historic buildings restored.

I believe in saving the past - houses,  objects,  even monuments - for it is something that is important to me.  Yes,  I've put my money where my mouth is and spent actual time  (and money)  in various ways working toward historical preservation.   

I just find it sad that so many in this country would rather not save the past.

Perhaps a new Walmart will replace it - wouldn't that be grand.

Truly heartbreaking.

Until next time,  see you in time.

(photos in today's posting were taken at my one and only visit to the Sheldon House in summer 2020)

To read about the oldest structures still standing in Michigan,  please click HERE

To read about some of the mid-to-late Victorian homes and buildings in Michigan,  click HERE

To read about Michigan's involvement in the War of 1812,  please click HERE

To read about historic train depots here in Michigan,  please click HERE

To read about Michigan's taverns and travel of the 19th century,  please click HERE 

~   ~   ~

Greenfield Village 2021: The Summertime Visits

Summertime summertime USA,  as the old song by the Pixies Three goes:
School is out and we're glad that we passed,

summertime is here at last...

And there are few places I'd rather spend my summers than at historic Greenfield Village,  that amazing open-air museum filled with not only historic homes from the 1600s through the 1930s,  but of presenters who bring the past to life by doing chores of the season as well.  My visits are nearly always wonderful and I have learned so much.  I've also shared my historical research with presenters as well - most of the presenters and I have a mutual respect for each other's knowledge.  And I have to say that it was the workers at the Daggett House and,  to another extent,  Firestone Farm,  that have taught me much in my visits over the years;  presenters such as Roy,  Sharon,  Larissa,  Gigi,  and numerous others I give credit to in helping to garner my interest in period farm activities and chores along with daily life in the past.

You see,  it was by my frequent Greenfield Village visits over the past nearly 40 years that really helped me to understand more completely the Seasonal  activities and chores of the past,  which do not always coincide with our 21st century seasonal activities.

Yes,  I've been going to Greenfield Village with my wife for 38 years as of 2021  (and I even visited before that,  but not quite as often).

Now,  for today's posting you will find my 2021 summertime excursions,  dropped here month by month.  Even though most of September is technically a part of summer,  the general consensus tends to lean that fall begins on the first of that month,  and judging by the leaves on the trees,  the usually cooler days and nights,  and the way the shadows from the sun lay,  I will have to agree that the celebration of fall can begin at that point and I will leave September,  October,  and November for a later post.

Shall we,  then,  begin our summertime journey to Greenfield Village with June?

Patriotic fervor begins in earnest as the calendar turns from May to June.  
Clip-clopping through the streets lined with historic homes of the past is one of the best ways to see the Village.

The tavern  (on the right)  and the general store.
I have visited the original locations of  these two structures.

Over the past couple of years I've been making it a point to visit the original locations of the local structures that have been removed to the Village.  I have visited most but I still have a few more to go.

You will see a blog posting about it probably sometime over the winter here on Passion for the Past.

The weaving shop  (1840)  and the pottery shop  (1787)  across the pond.
The weaving shop,  on the left  (originally from the Richmond Hill plantation in Bryan County,  Georgia),  once housed cotton gins used for separating the seeds from the cotton.  At that time,  most of the first floor was open,  allowing access for horses to the drive mechanism for the gin.
The pottery shop,  on the right,  was originally situated on the Fairfield Plantation at the Waccamaw River near Georgetown,  South Carolina,  and once housed the threshers, grindstones, shafts, and pulleys needed for the miller to do his job of threshing the grains of rice.

Few places show farming past better than Firestone Farm.
You always know what chores are done not only per season,  but per month...and sometimes even per week,  just as would have been done in the 1880s.

Larissa was out picking raspberries on this June day.

I saw this and it looked like a painting.
Yes,  the farmers at Firestone will oftentimes purposely leave certain equipment and tools out in the fields to help create a bit of a scenario.

What would a visit be to Greenfield Village be without a stop at the Daggett House,  my particular favorite?  I cannot remember not stopping here at least for a walk-through each time.

Roy,  Chuck,  and Jan - the welcoming team at Daggett.

As we move into later June we see preparations for the Great American Holiday occur,
such as not only the buntings  'neath the Ford house windows, 
but in their flowers as well.

And colorful red,  white,  and blue ribbons tied upon the tree branches.

Cindy is always happily greeting visitors into the Ford home.

The house where Orville & Wilbur Wright were born,  originally in Dayton,  Ohio, 
stands patriotically majestic inside Greenfield Village.

Even JR Jones decorated the front of his store.

The Smiths Creek Depot,  a stop along the train line in which Thomas Edison rode
daily as a youth,  as it now sits inside the Village.
One would think it was the 4th of July with all of the red,  white,  and blue.
Ahhh...but that holiday is coming up next - - 

Let's revisit the 4th of July - America's birthday celebration!

Now,  I did an Independence Day post back in July when a few of us visited Greenfield Village while wearing our period clothing,  as I've done for years.  But what I plan to show here are a few photos that were not part of that posting:

Well,  someone delivered this broadside to me.
The colonies are declaring their independence!
They need to win the war first.

As a member of the Provincial Congress and leading Whig in Sudberry,  I felt it my duty to read the declaration to the local citizens.

Could this be Anna Daggett and her son Isaiah?

My best side...lol.
I see there's plenty of work to be done in the fields...

A few of the ladies gathered in the garden.

Jackie stops and smells the roses...it was such a busy day!

Later in July...

The Ford home -
This was the home in which Henry Ford was born in 1863.
I've also been to where this building originally stood.

Back to Daggett in late July.

I took this picture looking through one window to see out another.

The back kitchen garden is really flourishing.

Since this Cotswold Cottage is from 17th century England and was not moved to these shores until the 1930s,  this could be an English scene from the later 18th century.

This was taken from inside the Logan County Courthouse looking across the Village Green toward the JR Jones General Store.

The Henry Ford  (Greenfield Village)  recently acquired the Vegetable Building that was once a part of Detroit's Central Farmers Market,  originally built in 1860 and opened in 1861, saving it from demolition.  Like the farmers markets of today,  the Detroit Central Farmers Market was a gathering place – a commercial center,  a hub of entrepreneurship and a community space where family,  friends,  and neighbors congregated and socialized. 

The Vegetable Building from Detroit's Central Farmers Market as it looked in 1888.

Due to the acquisition,  this farmers market will once again become a destination - a resource for exploring America's agricultural past,  present,  and future.

In the above pictures we can see the rebuilding of Detroit's Central Market as it looked in late July.
And in the photo below we see how it looked in early September:

It's exciting to have a new-old structure coming to Greenfield Village.  It's been since June of 2000 that the last historic building,  the Detroit,  Toledo,  & Milwaukee Roundhouse,  officially opened there.
I am so excited to see how it will be utilized,  especially in the fall.  Wouldn't it be cool for them not only to sell heirloom vegetables there,  but heirloom vegetable and flower seeds as well?
We'll find out in spring 2022,  for that's when it will be ready for its grand opening!

Let's move up to the next month:

There is always a hint of fall in early August.  In fact,  August begins with an important day in the farming calendar:  Lammas  (or Loaf Mass)  Day,  the day in the Book of Common Prayer calendar when a bread loaf baked with flour from newly harvested corn or summer wheat would be brought into church and blessed.  It's one of the oldest points of contact between the agricultural world and the Church.

Many colonial farmers celebrated the holiday  (or holyday,  as these special days of celebration or worshiping were called)  on August 1st,  which marked the first major harvest of the beginning fall season.  Even though it is still technically summer,  August was,  at one time,  also considered one of the months of harvest time.  As such,  Lammas Day was a sort of Thanksgiving, and so it remained for many colonial families until a national Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed toward the end of the 18th century. 

On a colonial-era Lammas Day,  it was customary for the head of the household to bring to church for a blessing the first loaf of bread made from the new crop,  which began to be harvested at Lammastide,  which falls at the halfway point between the summer solstice and the autumn September equinox – roughly being August 1st.  That loaf was then used as the center of the family’s Lammas Thanksgiving feast. 

Lammas Day is still somewhat celebrated in England and throughout the British Isles and elsewhere throughout the world,  though it is a forgotten holyday by most here in America  (though a variety of Pagan religions also still celebrate it).

So it is on this Lammas Day we look at the Loranger gristmill. 

Henry Ford purchased this 1832 building,  originally located on Stoney Creek near Monroe,  Michigan,  and it was one of the few structures moved to historic Greenfield Village in Dearborn,  Michigan without prior disassembly.

Meanwhile,  over at Firestone Farm,  the chores continue on~

We see Tom mounding potatoes at Firestone Farm.

The Firestones had a kitchen garden as well.

Some of the late summer harvest in the Firestone Cellar.

Tom is carrying pig feed,  I believe...

Firestone is a real working 1880s farm where the chores of men and women can be seen as would have been done by the season.

The corn is a-coming up rosy on this late August day at the Ford Farm!

Looks like Tom Turkey decided to roam about the Village.
Thanksgiving's a long ways off!

Here we see the hearth from the Plympton House,  of which a brick near its center is dated from 1640,  telling us when it was built.  The wooden structure that is constructed around this fireplace,  however,  is from the early 1700s,  erected after a fire destroyed the original house,  the hearth & chimney being the remaining remnant left of the original.

This is the hearth from the Plympton House.
Pay close attention next time you are in the Plympton House and let your historical knowledge run away with your imagination,  for as you notice the  "…nest of iron pots of different sizes,  a long iron fork to take out articles from boiling water,  an iron hook with a handle to lift pots from the crane,  a large and small gridiron with grooved bars and a trench to catch the grease,  a dutch oven  (or bake pan),  skillets of different sizes,  a skimmer,  skewers,  a toasting iron,  tea kettles,  a spider  (or flat skillet)  for frying,  a griddle,  a waffle iron,  tin and iron bake and bread pans,  ladles of different sizes,  brass kettles of different sizes for soap boiling, &c.,"  you may also  "notice"  by way of historical imagination the once familiar scents of herbs drying,  a suet pudding bubbling on the hearth,  possibly ducks roasting,  perhaps a meat pie or a stew hissing,  or maybe even the less alluring aroma of milk souring into cheese and the continual process of drying out baby flannel.

As for the bricks,  Henry Ford's chief architect,  Ed Cutler,  mentioned upon tearing the house down to be shipped to Greenfield Village:  "They were all little old hand-made bricks.  Of course,  to an ordinary person,  a brick is a brick,  but these were little hand-made things and were crooked as the dickens...there were four of them that had markings on them.  I think one was 1640,  and the other was W. X. P.  In erecting the fireplace,  I put those things  (the marked bricks)  right in the front so they could be seen.  That was not quite like the original,  but we wanted those bricks to be the center of interest."

Yes,  this unassuming house,  painted in red,  has plenty of stories within its walls.

And just past the Plympton House we find,  once again,  the Daggett House from the mid-18th century.

On this cloudy summer day,  we find Jan a-waiting visitors in the Daggett doorway. 
That is the Farris Windmill to the right.  Named after the Farris family,  who ran this mill for three generations,  this windmill,  built in 1633,  was once the oldest on Cape Cod  (in Massachusetts).  It now stands at the southeast end of Greenfield Village.

Jan and the others work consistently in the kitchen garden. 
I love when they will give a tour of the heirloom plants.

The table in the Daggett parlor.
I see a horn cup,  a leather cup,  a pewter plate,  a teapot,  a rush light with
a candle,  playing cards,  and a pipe.

Here we see another rush light in the parlor of Daggett.

Inside the Daggett parlor a few of what may remind one of the  lady of the house's
treasures a-top of the cupboard..

And we have Roy working the shave horse.

So I did something I've been thinking about doing for quite a while:

I,  for the first time,  turned a couple of my blog posts into a book!

As you may know,  I have this infatuation for the Daggett House - that  "saltbox"  built about 1750 and presented as in the 1760s.  In my book I included a ton of pictures  (smaller than I'd like,  but...)  and a tightened text taken directly from two postings I published in this Passion for the Past blog  (HERE and HERE). 

I wanted to show my friends who work in the historic home,  so I brought it along with me.  I mean,  what better place to take a photo of the book than inside the house it is about?

No,  it is not for sale.  It was a bit expensive to do,  and it took me quite a long time to research and write what I have.  How can I put a price on that?

I wanted to have a concise collection of Daggett information at my fingertips,  and that's why I did it.

Pretty cool.

We'll end our summertime visits to Greenfield Village there.  September began a new month,  and,  yes,  a new season,  and,  of course,  I will have a slew of new photos of my fall time there.

But you'll have to wait until December for that one.

In the meantime,  until next time,  see you in time.

 ~   ~   ~

The 2021 Encampment on Lake St. Clair of the Lac Ste. Claire Habitants et Voyageurs de Detroit

Clothing - period clothing - is the first thing anyone sees and takes notice of at a reenactment.  I mean,  that's pretty much how one can tell they are at a reenactment,  correct?   And if the reenactment is not really of a true historical nature,  such as a Renaissance Fair with its fairies,  Shrek,  talking trees and all,  it's still the clothing that will give an impression of the past - even if much of  it is  "pseudo."

And for the most part,  I would say the majority of us who make the effort to practice authentic living history do a pretty good job in the period clothing department.  Oh,  there are those few who don't really give a care  (and it shows),  and there may be a few disagreements from others in the  "who wore what"  department,  as well as some of the unnecessary nit-pickiness that even our ancestors would scoff at,  but generally,  I would say many of us could be placed in the past and pass as a local  (until we begin to speak--lol---then our cover would be blown).

"The flax to linen process was a popular demonstration
at this event.  Lac Ste. Claire Voyageurs Encampment
at Lake St.  Clair Metropark in Michigan."
~Photographer Kerry Dennis

However,  living historians cannot live on clothing alone - - the past will still be dead without the proper additions  (and historical knowledge!)  to help bring it to life no matter how good you look.

To me it is the historical accessories - items that can be presented or used to help show the past - that make the garments,  and,  thus,  you,  fit into the world of another time,  helping to paint a larger picture of an era long gone.

And there always seems to be a story when one reenacts with the Lac Ste. Claire Voyageurs,  for it seems each of  the members tend to show to a great extent the world of the Great Lakes past like few others do.

I've tried to do my part over the years,  and I did this year again as well:  for instance,  day one - Saturday - was the day I brought along my flax processing tools to teach the public about turning the flax plant into linen.

Day two - Sunday - I brought my colonial lighting apparatus,  where I had a sort of show-n-tell about the different means of lighting an 18th century home. 

Oh,  but the days there were HOT and humid,  and,  on Sunday,  it became very windy as well.  So windy,  in fact,  I had concerns about my tent  (the wind coming off of Lake St.  Clair actually lifted it up and some of my wood poles fell).

But,  even with that,  it was a great weekend----any time I can be in period clothing with friends is fine indeed.

What I think I like most about the Voyageurs encampment is
the involvement and participation of the reenactors.
Such as building a small fort right in the middle of the line of tents.

It's the sort of thing that separates this reenactment from most others.
I see the banner  (flag)  of the Kingdom of France a-flying there.

Richard is a long-time historic reenactor of multiple time periods,
including not only colonial/Rev War,  but Civil War and WWII.

I always,  always  love it when natives come to teach their history.

Doc Bloodsworth was kept busy speaking about
his cures for what ails people.

McSpillin,  a traditional folk music group who specializes in Celtic and Gaelic music, 
was set up next to us.  It was wonderful to hear their fine and fun music throughout
the day.  Their style centered strongly in mainly British Isles tradition & roots
- a true joy to listen to.

And there were other musicians throughout the camping area playing
traditional period music as well.

Also traditional dancing.

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.

If you know anything about Voyageurs you know that they
were fur traders.  Marko had a fine set up for speaking to the
public about this part of our local history.

Jeff gave an awesome presentation on life in Detroit during the 18th century.
What??  You didn't know Detroit was around at that time?
Ha!  This city of my birth has a long history...

Joey,  here,  not only represents a Voyageur,  but a blacksmith as well,  and can often be seen cooking at his camp when he's not clanging his hammer. 
On this day he made pheasant stew.

Aside from the French flags that were flown,  there were numerous other historic flags,  including the  "Betsy Ross"  from 1776,  The Taunton from 1774,  and the Grand Union from 1775.

Over at the gun camp we see the Bennington Flag  (Spirit of  '76). 
Some say the flag was from as early as 1777 from the Battle of Benningon 
(though this is questionable)  or from early 19th century - possibly 1826, 
to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.
Below the Bennington we have the Gadsden flag from 1775. 

Numerous guns,  axes,  hatchets,  knives and other tools of the
18th century were laid out for the curious visiting public to eye
and learn about at the gun tent.

The hawk throw.
If you look closely,  you can see the tomahawk flying in mid-air.

Mark takes his turn.
Both Dale and Mark did great.

Ken fires his musket.

The guys at the gun camp fire their muskets.

The gunsmith was set up...

...and,  yes,  he did make the musketry he had on the racks.

Wot?  Another flag!
This time the British Union Jack,  from 1801.

The flag of Great Britain,  commonly known as King's Colours,  the Union Jack,  or the British flag,  was initially used at sea beginning in 1606,  and then more generally throughout England from 1707 to 1801,  and is slightly different from the one seen here  (no diagonal red),  which is the Union Jack of 1801 til present day.

And here we have a weaver weaving on a table loom.

For the first time since I've been participating with this Voyageur encampment
there was a chocolateer making chocolate in the same way as was done in the 18th century.

It was this gentleman's first time ever presenting,  much less showing how
chocolate was made.

And,  though I did not capture an image to show it,  he garnered
a rather decently large crowd of interested onlookers.
I really enjoy when reenactors,  especially new ones,  take the
step beyond just being a camp-sitter.

As you've seen in today's posting featuring the Lac Ste.  Claire Voyageurs,  as well as many previous postings of the group,  they enjoy showing the crafts from the old times,  including candle making,  chocolate making,  weaving,  gun making,  performing music of the old days,  fur pelts,  and other activities.  Well,  this year I wanted to get in on some of that,  so I brought along my flax processing tools and equipment.

My Saturday camp,  with the flax,  the break,  the scutching board,  and the hackle.
These items were a draw for interested spectators.

Here is some of the raw flax I brought along to process.

The knee-breeches I was wearing and most of the clothing the ladies with me had on were made of linen,  so I began my presentation by telling the audience we were wearing flax for clothing - most did not know linen was made from the flax plant.

After speaking on planting and harvesting our flax, 
 I then began to show the process of plant to linen, 
beginning with the flax break.

It was seeing the flax break that drew the people to my camp, 
for when they saw this contraption,  curiosity got the best
of them and they simply had to come over and see what it was.
You can also see the scutching board in this photo.

I told the visitors about how my wife surprised me with the scutching board for Christmas last year,  and how I was probably the only person that received such a gift and how excited I was.  Someone from the audience noted that I would have probably been the only person to be so excited to get one for Christmas.

I agreed!

I was pleased that this old-time craft attracted such decent-sized crowds.
The interest in the past is alive and well,  thank God.

Hackling the flax.
The audiences were wonderfully fascinated and asked many questions.

While Larissa and I were doing our farm presentation,  Charlotte and Jackie took over the camp and,  much to my happiness,  spoke to interested spectators about the flax process.

However,  the next day...

For my Sunday presentation I chose to bring a variety of replicated 18th century
lighting devices...and to show the number of dips it takes to form a candle.

Strolling along the banks of Lake St.  Clair...

My three living history companions:  Jackie,  Charlotte,  and Larissa.

I am going to take a moment here to speak about these three ladies:
they have been my constant living history partners/companions for over a year now. 
They have taken part in our living history excursions at not only reenactments, 
but at the frontier cabin.  The knowledge shared by each is astounding.

When you get the best,  the experience is the best.  
Thank you,  my good friends.

Your host~
I hope you enjoyed our jaunt through the Lac Ste.  Claire Voyageur encampment.  Even though I represent one from the New England colonies,  I am still accepted among the French of  Fort Detroit.

Reenacting with the Voyageurs is a wonderful experience,  for their history is a sort of timeline on its own;  they go back to the 1600s up through the mid-1800s - a good 200 years.  With so many doing a variety of different period crafts,  the visitors really get  "their money's worth."  It's great to be able to step up to any camp site and see & learn something new.

In case you haven't noticed,  I've been very busy in my time-travel adventures of late;  from May 29 through the last weekend of August - roughly the three main months of summer - I was in period clothing seemingly nearly as much as I was in my modern t-shirts & jeans.  In fact,  I did 15 different events within that three month period,  most of which were documented here in Passion for the Past.  And the few that were not - I did a school event and a period fashion show - will be in an upcoming post.

Yeah,  I was quite the busy time-traveling man,  making up for the lost reenacting year of 2020.

There will be a bit of a break in the hobby for me this month of September.  However,  come October and November...let's just say there will be more to come.

Oh,  and I can't wait!  

Until next time,  see you in time. 

Here are each of the events I participated in this summer:
Time Line at Port Sanilac

The Voyageurs at Chesterfield

Voyageurs at Port Sanilac

Colonial Fort Wayne

4th of July at Greenfield Village

5th of July at Mill Race Village

Period Fashion Show

Colonial Frankenmuth

Civil War at Charlton Park

Colonial Frontier Cabin Summer Excursion

Civil War School Presentation

Civil War Days at Port Sanilac

Colonial Kensington

Harvesting Flax at the Colonial Frontier Cabin

Voyageurs Metro-Beach Encampment

A special thank you to Kerry Dennis,  Barb Baldinger,  and Richard Reaume for allowing me to mix a few of their photographs with my own.

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