1777 - DANBURY ON FIRE!



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Spring Into 2023

2/26/2023

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OK, so IO sold my period tentage. And bought new costume parts. And hate bad weather. Where to go?

Prime requisite: indoors. Other prime: clientele must be interested in history of a violent type.
Answer: Gun Shows

I attended several Showmasters shows in the past and enjoyed them. I also attended a relic and antique arms show in Fredericksburg, but Civil War interest often trumps the Revolutionary War. 
PA demographics show up well for my book and so I have several shows planned in York and Gettysburg. So we shall see! (Does anyone else ever use the word 'shall' anymore?)


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Doing My Reenacting at WorkI

11/23/2022

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A few fall plans went by the wayside, but can't say I'm sorry.

I managed Chadd's Ford PA for a lovely Friday/Saturday. Then the smart money smelled rain, so the vendors in my environs decamped for home. I will say that the event was so enjoyable in many different ways, both for us and for the non-costumed folk.

But somewhere in there a seed was sewn... as I contemplated loading up the car.

And I walked over to the nearest large military unit and asked them if they wanted my tentage.

They did.

Then I went home and bought a new costume riding jacket.

So I am not out of the game, but will blanket-trade from baskets in the future. Truth of it is that I seem to gather bad weather the way a dog gathers fleas - unintentionally but steadily.

I also need to finish my next book and do all the things that years of devotion to "1777" have blocked me from doing. (Now ... if I could only afford those things!)




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The Fall Campaign - 2022

8/28/2022

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August 1 and the Battle Flags begin to fly for reenactors.

Or do they?

Suddenly a sharp retraction of approval for a certain fall event.
Then, after several weeks, a new type of civilian event is discussed.

How do I feel about the traditional battle array shifting gears?

I feel good, but maybe not for the reason you think.
I am a gun owner, so it's not that.

History as we know it is too impersonal to mean anything to people today. Watching from a distance while men we don't even know pretend to fight a battle does not draw us closer to our ancestors or our country's history.

People do want to be closer to history, as indicated by the popularity of shows  set in our past. Many books open our understanding of the military difficulties faced. My book tries to present common family issues and how they affect individuals caught in family disagreements and driven into financial corners. It shows real people.

The latest reenactor "new thing" is not so new after all, since the expression "living history" denotes costumed individuals chatting with their visitors about their daily lives. So I applaud the Brigade of the American Revolution for considering non-military presentations at events that may have been mainly military in the past.

How many times have I seen three or four officers stalking along, chatting to each other and only each other. They might seem more approachable sitting at ease under tree, listening to a fiddler. They might invite a few kids to draw near and sit with them. The mounted soldier could let his young admirers lead his horse a few feet, perhaps hoist one aboard the saddle. Explain a little more about horses. No hurry ....

Sutlers and demonstrators, usually abandoned during battles, would have all day to entertain their own admirers.

Maybe we'd have more music and relaxation instead of see-the-battle-and-run visitors.








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At last! The Teacher's Key Arrives!

7/4/2022

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Two posts in one week: unheard of!

I do want to announce that the teacher's key has arrived! It gives the home-schooling mom a fair chance, even if she only glanced through the book last year when she bought it!

Precis of chapters and hints for "essay question" answers, it has it all! Enjoy!
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A Summer Special

7/3/2022

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I look forward to fall, but I'm never sure what will happen because I do work in emergency management when our call center is open. Last year, all my plans were blitzed on Labor Day, however I must make plans for events whether they come to fruition or not! Check out my events page, 'cause first event is this week ... time just sneaks up on us.
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The Battle of Ridgefield

5/3/2022

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So mind-blowing to be in CT for the interment of the four persons discovered under a house built in the 1790s! I saw the uniform buttons from the unfortunate gentleman that someone cared enough about to give a decent burial. (The others were thrown down unclothed as far as can be determined.)
I also visited the graves of sundry members of the Hamilton family, at last discovering Uncle John's wife's stone, either placed or replaced near Norman and Eli Hamilton in the Pembroke Cemetery. I also visited the Knapps, Benjamin and Noah, father and son, in Old North Main in Danbury.
A memorable trip for sure. A culmination of my hope and attempt to bring the Revolution to the foreground of both imagination and reality.

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Catching Up on Ft. Frederick

5/3/2022

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The net result counted over 6K came to the 4-day event. With a site out of the main travel pattern, I still lucked into a spot next to the Maple Syrup Man, Casey.
Nice to catch up with the lady semptress from J. Rook. Each night featured a walk to the Potomac River, a joy forever....

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My New Jersey Invasion

4/11/2022

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I wasn't kidding about north being colder than south. The first day at the Abraham Staat House (1740) was warm and lovely, giving me a false sense of security.  Did I freeze the entire rest of the time? Yes. Did I receive compliments on new vestments? Yes! I made some new friends, too! 

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Heavy Investment in Vestments

4/5/2022

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Guess we already know that north is colder than south. I'm learning.
New woolen cape was ordered and came amazingly fast from my friend Lauren at Samson's. Also ordered a top and think I will get another made from fabric I have. Decided to use a tablecloth of my grandmothers for an apron. All I can say is nothing had better get on it! So off I go to South Bound Brook NJ, now with tent stakes that would hold the Spinnaker on a 50-foot sailboat!

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2022 Events Report

3/15/2022

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The Battle at Guilford Courthouse March 11-12

Cold and rain predominated, approx 3" of rain.
The food truck left at 10AM Saturday, so this old lady did what she has never done before: I packed up and left before the event completed. 34 degrees in the morning and 34 when I left, along with my compadre, The Old Goat pedlar, as well as the nice folks with the fire. No fire= no stay. Snapping the pin out of a 2x2 tentpole says it all.  Orders went out to several companies to prevent this in the future. Our country was saved in the 18th century by the same strength of purpose that showed the militia tents all still occupied while we sutlers abandoned ship!
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