I need your help with the Moland House. After 15 years of tireless effort and superb leadership, Jo-Anne Mullen has decided to step down from organizing the annual reenactment at Moland House. In order to make sure this event continues uninterrupted, I am taking the reins of organizing the event (sadly this means I will not be …
Author Archives: Michael Carver
Basic Colonial Brewing #5 –Why use Copper?
Go to almost any brewery or distillery and you will see lots of gleaming copper. This is not some quaint historical holdover nor is it there for show. We use copper in brewing for real and practical purposes. The reasons for using copper were well understood by the Colonial Brewer but why it worked has …
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To the Last Extremity – Spruce Ale
Americans love the idea of a last stand, a battle to the end. We see this in the Battle of Bunker Hill, WE see this during the War of 1812 at both Fort McHenry and at Chalmette, Louisiana, we see this during the Texas Revolution at the Alamo, at the Little Big Horn, WWII’s during …
Historical Tidbits — British Retreat from Boston
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. March 17, 1776 – EVACUATION DAY: Following a protracted siege by the Continental Army, and the emplacement of artillery upon Dorchester Heights, the British retreat from Boston. On March …
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The Irish in the American Revolution
It was coincidence only that Evacuation Day in Boston and St. Patrick’s Day fell on the same date. No one appreciated this concurrence more than George Washington who surrounded himself with officers of Irish birth, an whose army was estimated to be at least 48% Irish born Catholics. It was noted that the Commander-in-Chief made …
Historical Tidbits — Battle of Guilford Courthouse
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. March 16, 1780 Battle of Guilford Courthouse The Battle of Guilford Court House was fought at a site which is now in Greensboro, North Carolina. A 2,100-man British …
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Historical Tidbits — Leathernecks
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. Why are Marines often called “Leathernecks?” Leather neck stocks were part of the standard uniform of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps at the time of the American Revolution. …
How was Colonial Beer Different
We recently held a brewing class at Fort Mifflin and one question was asked that deserves clarification in this blog: “How were beers of the 18th Century different from what we drink today?” I hope the table below adds some clarification. Colonial Beers vs Modern Beers: Key Differences Colonial BeerModern BeerMaltMixture of malted grains including …
Beer Recipe: Air and Exercise — Rattleskull
“Air and Exercise” = being whipped with a Cat-o-Nine-Tails. Prior to the arrival of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, American officers often imitated their British peers. In a rather startling example, George Washington once lobbied congress for permission to allow 500 lashes — “Air and Exercise”– as punishment to maintain discipline the Continental soldiers! Congress …
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TWO “OUT OF THIS WORLD” EVENTS
Join David Rittenhouse as he observes the SOLAR ECLIPSE Richard Wall House1 Wall Park Drive, Elkins Park, PA 19027Sunday, April 7 11:00 – 3:00 and Historic Rittenhouse Town208 Lincoln Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19144Monday, April 81:00 – 4:00 pm There were two total eclipses of the sun visible in the occupied regions of North America during …
