The first surveyors in America arrived with the Jamestown Company in 1621. Given the goal of quickly settling Virginia and the vagaries of Royal Charters for Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolina colonies, surveyors were critical to establishing order in the colonies. The role of the surveyor was to transfer land from the crown to private …
Monthly Archives: February 2023
Better Beer Bottles
In 1864, Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought a brewery in Amsterdam. Now, all have stories about beer bottles and construction workers. So, it may surprise you that Heineken once tried to make putting their bottles into the walls of cheap housing a common practice. Heineken noticed that empty beer bottles were not making it back to …
Why am I so Stingy with my Bottles?
Okay, the Regimental Brewmeister is a little uptight about bottles. First off, the bottles I use, while definitely anachronistic to the 18th Century, are of a design that came into vogue during the last half of the 19th Century so they are historic (just the wrong era…). But more important than that they are expensive …
Historical Tidbits — Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. February 27, 1776 Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge The royal governor of North Carolina, Josiah Martin, began to muster the Loyalist militia in order to suppress the unrest including …
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Come Help Us Create a Unique Portable Bar at Fort Mifflin
March 12 at 10:30 at Fort Mifflin! We are moving forward with our plans to build a bar wagon. Our first work day was February 12 and we discovered hidden structural flaws but these have all been corrected. Next step is to work on the interior and paint. Come help as we transform this carriage …
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Historical Tidbits — Marbury vs Madison
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. February 24, 1801 Marbury vs Madison Politics in 1800 were contentious. Thomas Jefferson and his political party, the Democratic-Republicans, had soundly beaten John Adams, a Federalist, in the …
Historical Tidbits — Pennsylvania Statehouse cornerstone laid
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. February 22, 1732 Pennsylvania Statehouse cornerstone laid Construction of Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House would begin in 1732. The construction of the building was …
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Happy Birthday General Washington
General Washington had the first public celebration of his birthday done by his wife, Martha, at the encampment at Valley Forge in the winter of 1778. The next official acknowledgement of Washington’s birthday would not occur for fifty-four years. At the recommendation of Henry Clay of the Senate and Philemon Thomas of the House, Congress …
Cannonball Tavern is March 25
Fort Mifflin Come to Fort Mifflin on March 25th when we transform the Soldier’s Barracks into the Cannonball Tavern, complete with authentic beverages and hearty tavern fare. Enjoy 18th century tavern games, the warm glow of a cozy fire, lively toasting, music and the company of civilians and soldiers of the era. This is a …
Never Forget that the Camp Followers were Vital to the Health of the Army
At yesterday’s celebration of Washington’s Birthday at Washington Crossing, I encountered several people who fans of the episode of Moonshiners we shot last year at Fort Mifflin (see it here). Ironically, some of the people who were there to support the filming, who were standing right next to me, weren’t recognized for their contribution. Every …
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 