I am in the planning stages for three big projects where I need to actively recruit support. If you are interested in participating in either of these projects, please let me know soon. TAVERN NIGHT at Rittenhouse Town — February 2025 This is the birthplace of David Rittenhouse, and we are basically taking over the entire …
Continue reading “I am looking for Tavern helpers and thespians”
Juan de Córdoba of Seville became the first merchant to send an African slave to the New World in 1502. By 1504, a small group of Africans, likely slaves, who were captured from a Portuguese vessel, made their way to the court of King James IV of Scotland but the English will not join the …
Stubbins Ffirth Bathed in Vomit to Prove Yellow Fever Wasn’t Contagious Doctor Stubbins Ffirth, an American doctor began to investigate the causes and communicability of yellow fever in 1793. A yellow fever epidemic hit Philadelphia in July 1793 and peaked during the first weeks of October. It is estimated that 5,000 of a population of 45,000 …
Continue reading “Doctor Heal Thyself — 18th Century Medicine Gone Wrong”
A common question poised to those of us who reenact the 18th Century — “Is it true that they never bathed?” It’s unfair to assume that just because hygiene standards were different in the 18th Century, people didn’t care about cleanliness. People DID bathe in the 18th Century. There is a widespread assumption that before …
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. On October 22, 1797, French balloonist André Garnerin, made the first safe descent with a silk parachute from a balloon André-Jacques Garnerin was ballooning pioneer of great regard and …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — First Parachute Descent”
Okay, so “Punch” has been around much longer than the 18th Century. In fact, the idea of punch is, well, old, really old. The word can be traced back to the 15th Century and it’s all tied to the reason sailors wanted a shorter route to Asia – Nutmeg. At its peak, nutmeg bought at …
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. October 22, 1777 Attack on Red Bank In late fall of 1776 James Whithall is approached by delegates of the Continental Congress with a request to erect a Fort …
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. On October 22, 1797, French balloonist André Garnerin, made the first safe descent with a silk parachute from a balloon André-Jacques Garnerin was ballooning pioneer of great regard and …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — First Parachute Descent”
Benjamin Banneker was born free in 1731 in Baltimore County, Maryland. He was gifted in the sciences and became a naturalist and almanac-maker. Banneker lived near the Ellicott family gristmills, and Andrew Ellicott’s cousin had encouraged Banneker’s talent for computing. These talents ultimately led to his being a critical part of the team that did …
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. October 21, 1797 – “Huzzah, her sides are made of iron!” — USS Constitution launched October 21, 1797 in Boston When the United States won independence from Britain, the …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — USS Constitution launched”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 