March 12 at 10:30 at Fort Mifflin! We are moving forward with our plans to build a bar wagon. Our first work day was February 12 and we discovered hidden structural flaws but these have all been corrected. Next step is to work on the interior and paint. Come help as we transform this carriage …
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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. February 24, 1801 Marbury vs Madison Politics in 1800 were contentious. Thomas Jefferson and his political party, the Democratic-Republicans, had soundly beaten John Adams, a Federalist, in the …
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. February 22, 1732 Pennsylvania Statehouse cornerstone laid Construction of Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House would begin in 1732. The construction of the building was …
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General Washington had the first public celebration of his birthday done by his wife, Martha, at the encampment at Valley Forge in the winter of 1778. The next official acknowledgement of Washington’s birthday would not occur for fifty-four years. At the recommendation of Henry Clay of the Senate and Philemon Thomas of the House, Congress …
Fort Mifflin Come to Fort Mifflin on March 25th when we transform the Soldier’s Barracks into the Cannonball Tavern, complete with authentic beverages and hearty tavern fare. Enjoy 18th century tavern games, the warm glow of a cozy fire, lively toasting, music and the company of civilians and soldiers of the era. This is a …
At yesterday’s celebration of Washington’s Birthday at Washington Crossing, I encountered several people who fans of the episode of Moonshiners we shot last year at Fort Mifflin (see it here). Ironically, some of the people who were there to support the filming, who were standing right next to me, weren’t recognized for their contribution. Every …
Continue reading “Never Forget that the Camp Followers were Vital to the Health of the Army”
The title “president” — derived from the Latin praesidere, which means “to sit before” — had usually been reserved for heads of colleges or ceremonial titles in congresses or committees. For example, John Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress. Before American independence, leaders of European countries were called kings, queens, emperors, dukes, or …
Okay, like the other spirits at Fort Mifflin, we cannot definitively tell whether this rum exists. Some people have had very close and memorable encounters but there are true deniers as well. This is a robust concoction distilled in the manner similar to how John Hancock would have made bootleg rum. Rumbustion is rumpus uproar, …
Just like today, people of the 18th Century enjoyed parlor and tavern games, often gambling. At most Living History events, there are long periods between major events. One of the best ways, asside from giving talks and meeting the public, to pass the time is with a game. There are two primary types of parlor …
Insurrections often are propagated upon misinformation. So too are the most recent band of domestic terrorist who like to hide behind our most sacred American institutions. In this series, I want to explore the Bill of Rights and why some of the hype and hyperbole thrown around by the extremist is not just wrong but …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 