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 7, 1787 – Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island …
Author Archives: Michael Carver
Could one of our Founding Fathers have been a Jew?
While writing the blog on Chanukah in Colonial America, I came across some lectures and articles by Andrew Porwancher, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, who has an interesting hypothesis. It seems that while researching the early life of Alexander Hamilton, Porwancher uncovered some interesting facts. Alexander Hamilton is the son of Rachel Faucette …
Continue reading “Could one of our Founding Fathers have been a Jew?”
Hire the Regimental Brewmeister for your Event or Site
Add excitement and authentic color to your special event, or create one for your site, with Philadelphia’s best Colonial Brewer and tradesman. Whether it is a reenactment, motion picture, a tavern night for a private event, or other endeavor, I can bring can bring a real sense of authenticity and fun to your event and …
Continue reading “Hire the Regimental Brewmeister for your Event or Site”
The Scourge of Slavery (#10) — Concessions were made to slave owners in the US Constitution — the 3/5ths Compromise
At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, it is important to remember that none of the delegates called for an actual the end of slavery. While some of them expressed their discomfort with it — George Mason of Virginia called for anti-slave trade laws and Gouverneur Morris of New York called slavery “a nefarious institution – …
Glögg
Hot spiced wine has been offered to messengers and postmen in Norway who travelled on horseback or skis in cold weather since at least the 16th century. Glögg is a common winter drink consisting of sweet wine or grape juice mixed with syrup and some harder spirits like rum, brandy or cognac. Glögg begins by …
Prescription Julep
Most people in the United States associate Julips drinks with The Kentucky Derby and certainly mint juleps have a storied history in that event but julep drinks have been around a lot longer and there are more julep drinks than the mint julep. This cocktail has origins back to the late 1700s, and ‘Julep’ is based …
How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools – Measuring Lines
Land surveys consist of six basic tasks: Determinizing your position on Earth using celestial navigation methods Measuring distances with a Gunter’s Chain. Measuring changes in elevation with a Range Pole Measurement of directions and angles using a Compass. Drawing the map on a Plane Table, and Computing areas with basic plane geometry In this series …
Continue reading “How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools – Measuring Lines”
Historical Tidbits — 1st Bank of North America established
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 31, 1781 1st Bank of North America established Chartered May 26, 1781, by the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation, this enterprise was the first national and truly …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — 1st Bank of North America established”
Auld Lang Syne
At midnight on December 31st, throughout the English-speaking world, the song “Auld Lang Syne” is sung practically everywhere. This song — actually a poem by Robert Burns — is indelibly linked to New Year’s celebrations, but what does it mean? You’ve all seen Billy Crystal in Harry met Sally: “Does that mean that we should …
Historical Tidbits — Arnold Attacks Quebec City
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 31, 1775 — Patriot forces under Colonel Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery attempted to capture the British-occupied city of Quebec and with it win support for the …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Arnold Attacks Quebec City”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 