From June 2023 - Blacksmith, Soldiers, & Log Cabin Weekend at Waterloo Farm

I don't always wear colonial clothing at Waterloo - just mostly.

In fact,  here I am in 1860s clothing.

Back to the 1700s soon!

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"Just pretending"...yeah,  right.
That's a real flame shooting
out of that cannon!

A little late but,  quite frankly,  I just somehow forgot about this event and meant to write a posting about it a few weeks back,  for this event took place in mid-June.  I suppose now's as good a time as ever,  right?  I mean,  out there it's still summertime...

This event celebrates Michigan's log cabins,  the soldiers that fought in the American Civil War,  as well as the blacksmiths that were so prominent around here in the 19th century.  In fact,  celebrating our log cabin heritage is nearly a holiday here in our mitten state,  and throughout the lower and upper peninsulas,  wherever there are historic log cabins,  there are celebrations of those wonderful pioneer structures that helped to build not only our state but our country,  all on the third weekend every June.

Charlotte and I took part in Waterloo's celebration,  though we were dressed in our 1860s clothing rather than 1770s as you normally see us,  for we are representing log cabin pioneers of the mid-19th century.

I think it's great that Waterloo goes beyond only speaking on the log cabin and allowing the occupation of blacksmithing into the picture,  along with the soldiers from Michigan as well,  both demonstrating their skills and equipment.  The interest in history needs to grow,  and be on a positive note rather than the prominent negative so invasive today,  so including life during the times of these cabins are an important addition.

Inside the cabin,  we were also inclusive to our touring groups;  when we saw kids,  we let them know what their lives would have been like,  for example.  The same with adults,  both male and female.

Also,  Charlotte found time early on to weed in the garden.  It's unfortunate that we live so far away and cannot make it out more often,  but we do our best to do what we can.

From a distance...

As Charlotte herself commented:  "Just me livin'  the Victorian reenactor dream!  Weeding the garden at the cabin but it’s mostly grown over.  Turnips are doing great!"
We did not have much rain in the spring,  but by June we had quite a bit so
the weeds really took off.
We will work on ideas for next year's garden - it's all a learning experience.

Mark and Dan were there.

But just who exactly are these two?

These two also play an important part in our
  Charlton Park living history event. 

The Cary family.

Jim represented General Custer.

Of course he spoke on what happened at Little Big Horn.  But Custer was much more than that,  and he gave a good lesson that goes beyond the Facebook University School of Little Knowledge  that too many people tend to get their historical information from.

Visitors were able to see,  up close and personal,  cannon demonstrations.

I always enjoy hearing  (and feeling)  the boom of the cannon!
As Tom Bertrand wrote:  "It was loud and blew lots of leaves off the poor tree."

Allison and her husband along with their carpenter friend.

He brings along all of his own period tools to work with and demonstrate.

There were also numerous blacksmiths demonstrating as well.

Why...look---toymakers!

Quilting and chair caning was also demonstrated.

And music...sweet music...there was music everywhere...
But not Modern contemporary music or anything like that.  Rather,  it was period
music from the 19th and early 20th century.  All played in a traditional manner.

And then there was this musician who I met:  Eddie Josephs,  and he brought a variety of country instruments...some electrified.

Eddie performs with the Tin Penny Band,  and their
musical genres include bluegrass,  Irish, 
and jugband music.

But this day he was a soloist - - - 

...until I came along and asked if I could try his red,  white,  and blue guitar.  He proceeded to tell me it is a replication of the guitar that country music legend Buck Owens  ("Act Naturally")  used to play.  I vaguely remembered that - -  but,  yes,  he allowed me to play it.  And then he asked me to play a song,  so I chose one of my old-timey favorites  (with only three chords)  "Hello Stranger...",  originally done by The Carter Family back in the late 1920s or early 1930s.  Emmylou Harris also recorded it in the 1970s.  Anyhow,  I played it,  he played along,  and I actually sang!  Now,  I have no singing voice,  but Eddie didn't seem to mind and we just went right through that old tune.  It's been a long time since I played guitar - I'm very rusty,  but I sure did enjoy myself and thanked him profusely!

Though I am more comfortable - more me - in 18th century
clothing,  I very much enjoyed taking part in this 1860s day.
Hey---any day in the past is great for me!

I had so much fun that day at Waterloo Farm for their Blacksmith,  Soldiers,  & Log Cabin weekend!  I saw so many friends,  new & old,  and spoke to so many visitors - it's not often I wear my 1860s clothing anymore - - !

Thank you Waterloo!

Here is a video to watch and give you an idea of this wonderful museum:

Until next time,  see you in time.

To read more on Michigan's celebration of Log Cabins,  please click HERE

Here are the links to all of our cabin day experiences  (so far):

If you are interested in our other cabin excursions,  please click the links below:

To read about our 2020 autumn excursion at the cabin,  click HERE

To read about our 2021 wintertime excursion at the cabin,  click HERE

To read about our 2021 springtime excursion at the cabin,  click HERE

To read about our 2021 summertime excursion at the cabin,  click HERE

To read about our 2021 summer harvesting of the flax at the cabin,  click HERE

To read about our 2021 autumn excursion making candles at the cabin,  click HERE

To read about our 2022 winter excursion at the cabin,  please click HERE

To read about our 2022 spring excursion at the cabin,  please click HERE

To read about our 2022 summer excursion at the cabin,  please click HERE

To read about our 2022 autumn excursion at the cabin  (Pioneer Day),  please click HERE

To read about our 2023 winter excursion at the cabin - Candlemas,  please click HERE

To read about our 2023 spring excursion at the cabin - Rogation Sunday,  please click HERE

To read about our 2023 late spring - more planting at the cabin  (& early farming history),  click HERE

To read about the 2023 early summer weeding at the cabin  (and a timeline event),  please click HERE

To read about our 2023 summer excursion at the cabin  (Lammas Day),  please click HERE

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