In my presentation as Regimental Brewmeister, I frequently extol the benefits of beer over the local water. While drinking beer will protect you from Typhus and Cholera, there is a slightly greater chance that you will contract Yellow Fever if you drink beer. Turns out that the alcohol you’re drinking, and that you are excreting …
Continue reading “Okay, I have bad news: Beer makes humans more attractive to mosquitoes.”
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. July 3, 1778 Massacre at Wyoming On July 1st, John Butler’s force of about 1,000 regular British troops, Loyalist irregulars, and Indians, marched into the Wyoming Valley and seized …
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. July 2, 1776 – “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. —I am apt to believe that it will …
When the U.S. Mint opened in Philadelphia, coins were made of copper, silver, and gold, in accordance with the Coinage Act of 1792. Because these coins were made of precious metal, their value was directly related to the amount of metal they contained. Unfortunately, these coins were also vulnerable to a practice known as “clipping.” Clipping …
Continue reading “Ruffles have Ridges … and so do US Coins!”
In 1696, Sir Isaac Newton was tapped as the Warden of the Royal Mint. These positions were, typically, considered ceremonial government honors for those citizens who had already aspired to greatness rather that real responsibilities. But Newton saw that the country had a massive counterfeit coin problem and took actions to address it. You have …
Continue reading “Ridges and Other Markings on Coins were Introduced by Isaac Newton”
When Congress declared independence in 1776, they pitted an economically small country against one of the most powerful nations on the globe. Not only did these colonies need to form a new government, unify the people, and field an army to fight for independence, they also needed to find a way to pay for it …
Because of a shortage of hard currency, most of the colonies issued paper currency prior to the American Revolution. This coupled with an ongoing trade that often involved various foreign currencies, was sufficient for most trade as we had a largely barter driven economy. When war broke out with Great Britian, the Continental Congress grappled …
At a time when gender roles were very strict and women generally did not work outside a few very limited industries, David Rittenhouse, the first director of the US Mint, hired women onto the production staff. In 1795, Sarah Waldrake and Rachael Summers were hired as adjusters making the US Mint the first federal agency …
Continue reading “Long Before the ERA, David Rittenhouse Provided Government Jobs for Women”
We often go to Independence National Historical Park just to see the big historic sites but its good to remember that this is also a very tranquil park (when you get away from the tourist). Next time you are there, take some time to visit the gardens. 18th Century Garden The 18th Century Garden showcases …
Continue reading “Tranquil Gardens within Independence National Historical Park”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 