Finnish Wife Carrying Competitions Rosov Ronkainen, a notorious Finnish man from the 1800s, is known for stealing both women and food from nearby villages. He required his accomplices to go through an obstacle course while carrying something heavy on their backs to be sure they could handle the stolen bounties. Now, Finland has both a …
Continue reading “And Now for Something Completely Different.”
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. December 1, 1779 2nd Encampment at Morristown While much in made of the harsh conditions at Valley Forge, the winter of 1779 was the harshest in the war. “A …
Despite what you may think today, Philadelphia was America’s first planned city. William Penn had a broad vision for the new settlement and started a revolution in city planning: the open grid plan that became Philadelphia. Having witnessed plague in London in 1665 and the famously calamitous fire of 1666, Penn wanted his Philadelphia to …
I am sure you’ve heard “Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” This is an adage of unknown origin claiming that low alcohol-by-volume (ABV) beverages (like beer) are best imbibed at the end of a night of drinking rather than early on. There are, however, NO scientific studies supporting …
Continue reading “The “beer before liquor” rule has no scientific basis.”
In 1993, my boss gave all his chemists a really cool gift. He made vanilla extract and bottled it for everyone in the lab. The vanilla was far superior to anything you buy in the store and while it is long gone, I still remember the label: Ross Schaeder’s Handmade Vanilla NEVER SOLD, only givento …
Continue reading “The Regimental Brewmeister’s Vanilla Extract”
During the early American Revolutionary War, Continental Army lacked strong central command and was made up of state-run militias operating independently of each other. Each militia operated by its own rules and regulations and there was very little standardization or guidance for the duties and responsibilities of soldiers and officers. In 1777, Friedrich von Steuben …
On September 17, 2022, Fort Mifflin took possession of an Amish surrey style wagon approximately 5 ft wide and 7 feet long in serviceable condition. This buggy was donated by Warehouse on Watts and transported to the fort by Fort Mifflin staff. The buggy is in “good” condition but not roadworthy and does need minor …
Continue reading “Come Help Us Create a Unique Portable Bar at Fort Mifflin”
There is a myth that the turkey almost came to represent the United States. The story goes that after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Congress asked Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to design a seal for our new nation. Since many of the Germanic nations, incorporate eagles into their pageantry, the eagle …
Continue reading “Despite Today’s Politics, the Turkey was Never Considered as Our National Symbol”
On December 18, 1777, General George Washington’s army celebrated the first national Thanksgiving in Gulph Mills and on Rebel Hill. The celebration caused a one day delay in the army’s march to Valley Forge, which General Washington had decided a day earlier, was to be where the army would make its winter quarters. The purpose of …
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor – and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 