On December 12, 1803 the United States completed the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Frans for $15 million. This territory encompassed 530,000,000 acres of territory. As the United States spread across the Appalachians, the Mississippi River became an increasingly important conduit for the produce of America’s West (which at that time referred to the …
Author Archives: Michael Carver
The Scourge of Slavery (#12) — How the Liberty Bell got its name
Every year millions of people come to Philadelphia to see the “Liberty Bell.” This large bell was commissioned in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly to hang in the new State House in Philadelphia. At the time it was commissioned, there was no thought about Independence. Philadelphia was the third most important city in the …
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Historical Tidbits — Retreats across the Delaware
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 19, 1776 The Second Night of Hanukkah at Valley Forge On December 19, 1777 General Washington and his Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge. Many of the …
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UPCOMING EVENT — A Talk on Colonial Brewing
Alapocas Run and Wilmington State ParksBlue Ball Barn1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803January 10, 20246:30 pm – 8:00 pm This program will be a little different from our ordinary brewing demos. I am going to not start a fire and we have plenty of beer that has been previously brewed. At the Blue Ball Barn, I …
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UPCOMING EVENT — Colonial Brewing
Historic Rittenhouse Town6034 Wissahickon AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19144Sat. Jan 20, 202411 am – 4 pm When not brewing, the Regimental Brewmeister will often assume the personae of David Rittenhouse who was a renowned astronomer, surveyor, and Director of the US Mint. Rittenhouse was best known for his work on the transit of Venus and solid accessible …
Historical Tidbits — Encampment at Valley Forge
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 19, 1777 Encampment at Valley Forge With the campaign season ending and cold weather rapidly approaching, Washington moved his army into winter quarters. For his winter encampment, Washington …
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The American Crisis
The American Crisis, or simply The Crisis, was a pamphlet series by Thomas Paine between December 19, 1776 and April 19, 1783 to “recharge the revolutionary cause” during the American Revolution. Sixteen numbered pamphlets were published between 1776 and 1783 in various newspapers. Paine believed ordinary Americans were more apt to continue under the protection …
Economic Crash — Tulip Mania
The Dutch tulip mania of the 1600s is often cited as an example of greed, excess, and financial mania, with the prices driven by the fear of missing out and crowd psychology. Tulips were imported into Europe in the 16th century by the Dutch East India Company, arriving via the spice trading routes that lent …
The DUTCH East India Company
The Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), better known as the Dutch East India Company was set up in 1602 and head-quartered in the Oost-Indisch Huis (East-India House) in downtown Amsterdam, which still stands today. The company was first company to officially issue stocks, which peaked during the Dutch “Tulip Mania”, a craze for tulip bulbs that …
Molly Pitcher Shandy
Molly Pitcher was the nickname of Mary Hays McCauley who is said to have carried water to American soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, before taking over for her husband on the battlefield after he was no longer able to fight. Originally from Carlise Pennsylvania, Mary was married to William Hays …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 