This is a slower time of year for living historians, especially for those of us who live up here in the cold north country of Michigan. But I try to have a blog post ready around once every seven to ten days, and oftentimes an idea will strike me out of the blue, such as this one. It just so happened that I was perusing through a few of the older living history photos taken a few years back - some of which I have not seen in years, while others a bit more frequently. As the title of this post says: Every Picture Tells A Story (from an old Rod Stewart tune), and, yes, each photo here, most of which were taken in and around the mid-1700s Daggett House, has some sort of a story behind it...or it's simply just an image I found and find appealing.
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Years ago, my wife, Patty, and I used to go horseback riding frequently. Almost every weekend. And we decided we wanted to take riding lessons, which we did. Oh! It was awesome - - every week found us sitting atop of horses, being taught how to handle the reigns and steer and other nuance information. Once my wife became "with child," we stopped for fear for the baby (who is nearing 37 years old as of this writing). By the time we were ready to pick up the practice again, the stables were, sadly, no longer there. Every-so-often we would meet someone with horses and oftentimes go riding, but not near as often as we'd like.
So it was a while back that I went to the farm of a friend and did a sort of colonial photo shoot. Though the initial intention wasn't necessarily to be Paul Revere - my main course of thought was to get a few nifty pictures of me as a colonial on a horse - it just so happened that the Paul Revere similarities was the way it turned out.
Now, me and my founding hero look nothing like one another. Mr. Revere was stockier and heavier than I, and his dark hair was cut in a sort of Captain Kangaroo-style. Still, because I portray him in historic presentations, it was a good experience to ride a horse dressed the way I was - - and I even carried a lantern for a few images.
And the following pictures are the result:
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| Do I look comfortable on a horse? I should, for I began riding decades ago.. |
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| Years ago, my wife and I took riding lessons. We became good enough that the stable where we went would tell us to go ahead and ride and enjoy ourselves. So we would take the horses up and down the country dirt roads, people waving at us as we clip-clopped along. We felt we were something special! |
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| I am hoping to have the opportunity to do this again. Soon. |
Horses were central to life in the 18th century colonies, used for work, travel, and leisure. They were also a sign of wealth and status. These animals were used to carry people and goods, and to pull vehicles and farm implements.
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| This is, in a way, a fake picture. Okay--not totally fake. Not AI or anything like that. It's actually the blending of two photos to make one. Through the magic and know-how of Paint Shop Pro, I snatched one of the photos taken of me riding my friend's horse and blended it with my favorite house inside Greenfield Village...in the winter, no less. I think it turned out pretty realistic, don't you? |
In the early years of the colonies, horses were a sign of wealth, but by the first half of the 1700s, they had become commonplace and most people owned at least one horse. By the 1760s, horses were a normal sight across the countryside.
The first time I ever got upon a horse while in my period clothing happened back in 2008 at Detroit's historic Fort Wayne during a Civil War reenactment.
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| The thrill of being on a horse for the first time while wearing 1860s clothing was almost magical. There's not a feeling like it. It's a childhood dream come true. |
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| Basically I just sat for my photo opp - even though by this point I had been riding for twenty tears, I'm not sure if the horse's owner believed me so I didn't dare ride off anywhere. Still, doing my pose in 1860s clothing atop a horse certainly gave it a sort of living history/immersive feel. |
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| Another friend brough a horse to the Port Sanilac Civil War reenactment, and this time I was able to do a little more than pose. But...first I did pose, and had my tintype taken. |
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| Here is how the image turned out~ How cool this is - an actual old-time tintype~ |
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I may not be the swiftest in the saddle, but I certainly can take a horse out for a walk or trot, and I appreciate Marty, the horse's owner, allowing me to ride a bit. Riding through the reenacting tent city - moving up and down the rows of tents and waving to my reenacting friends - well, this was definitely a high point for me. That's my patriotic wife there - she was quite surprised to see me saunter past. By the way, this was one of my all-time favorite moments. I'm so very glad someone thought to take a picture! |
Another high point for me in this hobby was when I had the honor and privilege of plowing behind a team of Percheron horses.
Because I was at an 1880s farm - Firestone Farm, located inside Greenfield Village - I, once again, wore my 1860s clothing, which work very well with 1880s fashions - there was very little difference for most people to see.
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| Yes...that's me looking determined to do it right for my first time out plowing behind a team of horses. What a thrill it was to have that opportunity. The Firestone Farm workers told me I didn't do bad at all, especially considering it was something I've never done before. I was even welcomed into the "very small group of people who actually done this" club by one of the hands! Yep---this was a major highlight for me in my living history years. |
In my pre-teen days, I used to love to watch the old west movies of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, as well as the TV shows like Wild Wild West and Bonanza. To be honest, I still do. But way back in my youth, me and my dad never missed when any were shown on broadcast TV. Of course, being a kid, I used to play Cowboys & Indians and often make believe I was living back in the 1860s/70s/and 80s out in Texas or Montana.
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"The old west lives!" Back in 2013, a few of us decided to throw on our 1860s clothing to spend a beautiful summer day at Crossroads Village up near Flint. Crossroads Village is an open-air museum, along the lines of Greenfield Village, though it is on a smaller scale. The historic buildings here are all from the 19th century (with one or two 20th century exceptions), and are all from Michigan. Crossroads first opened to help celebrate America's 200th birthday in 1976 - the bicentennial. The layout of this Village is excellent, for it does depict a Michigan small town of about 150 years ago very well. What they need to work on are the presenters inside most of the houses, including their clothing and their information (it gets me every time when I hear them state as a matter-of-fact that "people didn't live very long back then," a myth that has been proven to be just that---a myth). That being said, the broom maker, the miller at the gristmill, and the men at the train all do an excellent job in their presentations. But the over-all feel as one walks about the tree-lined wood-plank sidewalks along the dirt roads is being immersed in the time of our great and great great grandparents...especially if you are wearing their fashions. |
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During one of the special themed weekends at Waterloo Farm Museum, I hung around a few rough-n-tumble-looking guys from the 1860s. It's true that I'm not nearly as excited to wear my 1860s clothing as I am when I wear my 1770s clothing. But these guys? Yeah...they're cool guys. It feels like 1863. I can fit in and hang out with them.... |
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| Here we have another of my favorite pictures - engulfing the 18th century~ Those standing on the grass represent the 17th century Those on the porch are representing the 18th century. |
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| Here's my wife, Patty, and I - preparing to harvest our flax at the cabin garden. We grew heirloom flax from seed - the very same grown at the Daggett House. I searched far and wide for period rakes - patience is a virtue! |
My friend, Larissa, and myself formed a presentation partnership, and now for over a decade we have been going to schools, libraries, senior centers, reenactments, historical societies, country fairs, and other places to present mostly on everyday life on a farm in either the 19th or the 18th centuries.
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| Here is Larissa and I presenting on period farming. This was one we did in Eaton Rapids in an old historic barn. The best part was our audience were all very old men - all of which came from farming families - and they gave us a standing ovation when we were done. Some of the men told us that we brought back many memories of their youths, or of their fathers, and even of their grandfathers. This was one of the best we'd ever done! I mean, if we get this sort of celebratory congratulations and accolades from those who were "there," then we're at the top of our game! |
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| Larissa & I don't only present Victorian era farming, but also Colonial period as well. I made this period farm photo by taking a conglomerate of about four or five different pictures and making one cohesive photo out of them. |
Lynn Anderson put together this amazing timeline that centered on fashions through time. Now, when one thinks of fashion shows, we usually think about those pouty women who walk down a runway wearing the most garish clothing anyone could imagine. But not when you see a historical period fashion show (click HERE).
In fact, this fashion show actually had soldiers - military men - as a part:
I also took part with my friend Larissa as an 1860s farm couple, and Fred & Bonnie Priebe were also there as President and Mrs. Lincoln. Plus there were folks representing fur-trappers, Natives, Regency styles, Amelia Bloomer was there, turn-of-the-20th-century/Titanic era, 1920s flappers, and, well, just click the link HERE for a post with loads of pictures.
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| Representing America's finest from WWII (the two men on the left), then to the World War I soldier. Next to him is my son, Robbie, representing the Yankee Civil War solder. And to his left is War of 1812, then on the right we have the Revolutionary War. I thought it looked terrific seeing nearly two centuries of military, just hanging out and talking. So...here you are! |
Lynn really did quite the job.
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| My wife & I~ How we spent our 39th wedding anniversary... |
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| Walkin' down this rocky road Wondering where my life is leadin' Rollin' on to the bitter end... That's the gristmill behind me and the printer's shop off in the distance. |
Normally, I am usually at least somewhat aware when I am having my photo taken by other people.
However, there are those times when I have absolutely no idea that a camera is pointing in my direction. The following few shots are those times - and each has such a look of the past come to life---just all natural-like...
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| I enjoy visiting Greenfield Village while wearing my period clothing. Greenfield Village has over 300 years of history on the grounds, so when I dress colonial, I try to stick by the houses from that period in time, usually the Daggett House. In this picture I caught up with my friend Rebecca, who just happened to work at the Village - at Daggett! - back in 2019. My wife wore her modern clothing for this visit and was walking behind us when she snapped this shot. I think it turned out rather good, don't you? |
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| Around the same time my wife took her picture, Ed Davis took this one of Rebecca & I. |
And, yet, here is another image of Rebecca & I, though on a different day and different year.
It was toward the end of my time visiting the Village and I was making my way to the exit when, who should appear coming toward me? Why, my friend Rebecca! So, naturally, like any good 18th century neighbors, we stopped to chat:
To read more about the Daggett House, please click HERE
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Gary Thomas took this photo of Rebecca and I in 2018. I really like it because neither of us knew we were having our picture taken, so it is just a natural image of two friends from the 18th century having a conversation... Rebecca has an extensive historical knowledge, so our conversations can run pretty deep. |
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| Here is another Gary Thomas image capture from that same day in 2018. That's the Martha-Mary Chapel in the background - a replication of a New England church. |
If you follow this Passion for the Past blog, then you are probably aware of the colonial cabin excursions I take part in with my close friends (and sometimes my wife) at Waterloo Farm Museum, where we try to live a full day multiple times a year as if it were 250 years earlier. Once-in-a-while we might have a visitor, which can add to our experience.
Now, we don't do - or even attempt - first person, but we try to keep our focus and conversations history-based.
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A gathering of friends. We do our best to refrain from modern "hot topic" talk, for we do come here to get away from such discussions as best as we can. Mind, I don't mean we speak in 1st person - that would take far more time to do correctly and not sound "Hollywood." Now, we may throw in a period word or phrase here and there, but to make the attempt to carry on in such a manner is beyond what we actually care to do. 18th century English is like learning a second language. So, we keep our speech pointed to history-&-learning based, and that works just fine. I'm not even sure who took this picture, but it's easy to see we had no idea our likeness was being captured in such an unassuming way. It could easily have been the 1770s here. |
Back in the day, I was often able to help out with certain things here and there when visiting Greenfield Village, and I always maintained to the visiting public, should they ever catch me to speak with me, that I was not a presenter nor any kind of employee there. In fact, when visitors who I did not personally know would come around, I would make myself scarce. However, if I did ever speak with them - and it is/was always outside of the houses, I remain(ed) pleasant, and smile(d). But my friend, Ed Davis, got a nice shot of me through the Daggett window as I helped to make 18th century beer.
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| Imagine my surprise when Ed Davis sent me this image! Helping to make beer - even if only for a few minutes, was always a very special treat for me. And without really even trying, it was taking history a step further. This is the sort of thing Colonial Williamsburg does with their guests. |
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| Same day---different angle~ |
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| Here I am helping former Daggett presenter Roy as he finished up the well-sweep. I didn't do much - I just held the wood pole as he drilled a hole. |
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| Could this be Samuel Daggett counting the debt he was paid for the extra work he had done for folks in the local community? Or is it former presenter Roy giving another wonderful history lesson utilizing his replica period money? Yes!! |
Sometimes just being at the right place at the right time can allow you to capture a fine image unexpectedly. Now I'm not saying they're gold medal award-worthy or pieces of art, but something a little off the beaten path in a style I find appealing.
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| This happens to be one of those right place-right time photos. Gigi, the young lady here, often stands with her hands on her hips, and she stood there waiting on this day as the horse & omnibus moved past. I stood behind and snapped this. Being that the Daggetts lived in a rural area - Sam Daggett having around 80 acres of land - there would not have been too many travelers passing nearby, so Anna Daggett would have most certainly kept an eye out should one pass through. |
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| Here is another right place-right time photo. Both Gigi and Chuck are waving at each other as Chuck moves up the walk-way. If Greenfield Village did a 1st person village, perhaps Chuck would be portraying a weaver, come to spend time with the Daggett family, weaving upon their loom. |
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Okay...just one of Ken's wild thoughts, but it never ceases to give me chills when I visit the Daggett, the Farris Windmill, Giddings (not pictured), and Plympton Houses just knowing that each was built before the time of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride, before the Boston Massacre, before the Boston Tea Party, before the Intolerable, Townshend, and Stamp Acts, and even before the French & Indian War...and also to think that they were around during the time of George Washington, John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, the American Revolution, and of the time of the Declaration of Independence! In the case of the Farris Windmill, it was built shortly after the Pilgrims arrived here. If that don't get your history gene going, nothing will! |
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| Here's the Giddings House mentioned in the above picture comment. |
To read more about the Farris Windmill, please click HERE
To read more about the Plympton House, please click HERE
To read more about the Giddings House, please click HERE
Would you like to learn a little more on 19th century mourning?
Click HERE.
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| This is a bittersweet picture, for it was taken in 2017 of myself with my good friend, Fred Priebe, on his very last day of work at Greenfield Village before his retirement. He had been presenting there for thirty years, and for nearly twenty of those years we remained great friends. In his early years at the Village he actually presented as Sam Daggett! In this photo he was as a storekeep at the JR Jones General Store from the 1880s. Sadly, Fred passed away only a few years later. |
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| This is one of my most favorite photos I may have ever taken! It is of Fred Priebe portraying President Abraham Lincoln at the Port Sanilac Civil War event, and Fred...er...Mr. Lincoln, was reciting, I believe, the Gettysburg Address. |
Now let's had back to the Daggett farmhouse:
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| The Daggett Farm is always a must-see for me whenever I visit Greenfield Village. I very much enjoy seeing the era of our founding fathers such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, come to life right before our eyes, including the outdoor chores we see here in the kitchen garden. It helps to give a deeper understanding to the times of America's founding. |
Ah, but then there's winter to contend with - - -
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| I remember this day clearly. My wife & I were going to Greenfield Village for Holiday Nights. It began to snow shortly before we left hour house, which is about a half-hour drive from the Village. But the snow really came down - I knew what I wanted to do...so we arrived a bit early so I could take a snowy picture of the Daggett House before darkness hit. Greenfield Village is walled in, so I had to hold my camera up over the wall - I'm not very tall, you know - but I did as best I could, and this is what I captured. It was quite the blizzardy day and I believe my camera captured the look and feel very well. |
Meanwhile...in the late summer of 2016:
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While at the Ste. Clair Voyageurs event back in 2016, I watched as a pretty nasty storm began to move in over Lake St. Clair. So there I was, sitting under my fly as people - reenactors and visitors alike - ran to get to shelter before the storm hit. And as they scurried along the waterfront, the black clouds quickly blocked out any sunlight. With the storm clouds coming toward us from the southwest, they starkly accented the white sky in the northeast, and this created very cool silhouettes from those running along the shore. Hmmm...I got an idea...I gotta good idea... "Hey Kevin!" I yelled to my friend (Kevin Grand), "I'm going to run over by the lake. Would you take a few photos of me? Just stay right here under my fly as you take them." My friend took about a half dozen pictures and the one posted here is my favorite. |
There was a summer, when I was a part of the Michigan Soldier's Aid Society, that we spent homing our knowledge and presenting 1860s mourning practices. During the American Civil War, over 620,000 soldiers died during the four year conflict - more died from disease than from bullets.
Death was ever-present for those on the home front.
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| Yes, we even had a mock Civil War-era funeral, which was portrayed every bit as real as if someone had actually died! This took place at Waterloo Farm Museum, right around the spot where our colonial cabin garden is now |
Click HERE.
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| This was one of the most magical evenings ever - - we were doing Christmas at the Fort (Detroit's historic Fort Wayne), and we lit the candles on our table-top Christmas Tree, singing Christmas Carols...Christmas Magic like little else! |
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There's a feeling I get when I look to the west... I love it when the sun begins to set and I find myself still inside the Daggett House. Yes, it was close to 5:00 on Black Friday as the sun went down. And I was looking west~ |
So, this year of 2025 is my 11th year doing 18th century living history and my 21st year as a reenactor in general (beginning that year doing the American Civil War period). I began this reenacting adventure in my life back in 2004, and though I know there are many who've been doing this hobby much longer, I think I've done pretty good for myself here. Though my main course is the 1770s, I still do the 1860s here and there, as needed or desired. I do enjoy the 1860s very much, but I enjoy the 1770s that much more. As someone - a Civil War reenactor, nonetheless - said to me: "You look like you belong in the Revolutionary War period."
That is extremely gratifying for me to hear. I have always loved that era and, as a living historian, think of it more as "my time."
That is extremely gratifying for me to hear. I have always loved that era and, as a living historian, think of it more as "my time."
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| Here is the first-ever photo of me wearing my first set of colonial clothing sitting at my very Victorian desk - an actual antique from the 1850s. |
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| Here is my first ever photo dressed colonial at the Daggett House. My breeches were a mite too long, I didn't really care for the blue silk jacket, and wearing a haversack, as I learned, just was not correct. Hey---you learn as you go! |
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| And on that same April Day - a shot of me inside the Daggett House. First time is always special! |
Every year I try to expand on my living history experiences. Most of these now tend to take place at the Waterloo cabin where I have taken part in candle dipping, cider making, chopping down a tree, eaten period recipe food cooked over the open hearth, celebrating ancient holidays no longer celebrated in the 21st century, threshed wheat, grown and processed flax (something I learned from Roy at the Daggett House), celebrated the harvest, gardened...and so much more---and that's just at the cabin. But I still very much enjoy visiting Greenfield Village while "dressing the part."
Time tends to speed up the older we get. And it's hard to believe that
If you liked this post, I'd be willing to bet you'll like THIS ONE as well.
Until next time, see you in time.
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