Handsel Monday, the first Monday after January 1, was an old 18th century Scottish tradition where masters would give their servants presents and give them the day off. Sweet! “Handsel” is a Middle English word meaning good luck or good omen. The handsel present was typically money, meaning even the poorest servant had a little extra cash …
Monthly Archives: January 2025
Open your purse on Plough Monday
Plough Monday (the first Monday after Epiphany or January 6) marks the traditional start of the English agricultural year. It is often celebrated with some unorthodox partying/fundraising. A boy dressed as an old woman (called the “Bessy”) and man dressed as an animal (called the “Fool”), accompanied by roving musicians, drag a plough from house to house to …
GOP vs Founding Fathers
Round 2 — Lower Taxes Republicans tout that the want less government and lower taxes and they are willing to cut a few social programs and even essential services like in order to lower taxes, but so be it. They argue that we should put our trust in people, not in government pushing issues of …
The Whitesmith
Whitesmithing, or tinsmithing, is a much newer form of metalworking that developed in the late 1600s and gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although found worldwide, whitesmithing was popular in mainland Europe and especially Britain. Whitesmiths work with thin sheets of iron or steel that were dipped in molten tin to protect the metal from …
UPCOMING EVENT — Tavern Night
Historic Rittenhouse Town206 Lincoln DrivePhiladelphia, PA 19144 Saturday, February 8th Join Historic RittenhouseTown for Tavern Night! Come join us as the buildings and grounds of our historic 18th-century homestead are transformed into a tavern from the 1770s, where the simple pleasures of good food, drink, and fellowship collide. Tavern Night will feature an evening of …
GOP vs Founding Fathers
Round 1 — Separation of Church and State Well folks, this is an election year. This guarantees we will disagree on many things but please heed this bit of advice – wear boots! The Republican Party likes to claim that they are “originalist” and that they know the intentions that the Founding Fathers had when …
Basic Colonial Brewing #1 — The Importance of Beer in the 1700’s Colonial America
Today we think of beer as a luxury item, something to enjoy during our leisure times and beverage known and imbibed for its intoxicating properties. This was not always true. In fact, beer was once considered the most healthy drink to give to children and vital to survival. To understand this, you must first understand …
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The Secular Argument for the Establishment Clause of Amendment 1
It is great to argue that the first Congress was inspired to adopt the Establishment Clause[i] by stories of Puritans and other separatist fleeing religious persecution in Europe and some mythical ideal that Americans are somehow more tolerant of other religions than their forebears but this is clearly NOT TRUE. Jews, atheists, Wiccans and Muslims …
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The OTHER Clock at Independence Hall
When you visit the Philadelphia State House (AKA Independence Hall), you will be told the story of the Liberty Bell and it multiple recastings before being hung in the tower behind the hall. You will no doubt hear the bells (now the Centennial Bell) as it chimes on the hour and of course most photos …
Historical Tidbits — Common Sense
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. January 10, 1776 – Common Sense, a fifty-page pamphlet by Thomas Paine, was published. It sold over 500,000 copies in America and Europe, influencing both the authors of the …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 