The Regimental Brewmeister will be at Center City Philly as part of “Once Upon a Nation” run by Historic Philadelphia

I will be in Independence National Park all day on June 1st, 13th, 15th, 19th and 27th as part of the “Once upon a Nation” program run by Historic Philadelphia. I am portraying David Rittenhouse and will be happy to discuss Solar observations in the 18th Century, the US Mint, and any other revolutionary issues you …

US Marines in the American Revolution — Fighting Tops

29 May 1781 Early in May 1781, the Continental frigate Alliance sailed home from France. Between the Newfoundland Banks and the Amer­ican coast she moved cautiously for that stretch of water was dominated by the enemy. The weather, however, proved to be more destructive. Amid booming rolls of thunder and a heavy sea on the …

Historical Tidbits — Last of the 13 States to Ratify the US Constitution

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. May 29, 1790 — Rhode Island became the last of the 13 States to ratify the US Constitution. Rhode Island became the 13th state to enter the Union after …

Historical Tidbits — Virginia Plan

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. May 29, 1787 – At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the Virginia Plan calling for a bicameral legislature, an executive, and a judiciary branch of government was proposed by …

The Regimental Brewmeister will be at Center City Philly as part of “Once Upon a Nation” run by Historic Philadelphia

I will be in Independence National Park all day on June 1st, 13th, 15th, 19th and 27th as part of the “Once upon a Nation” program run by Historic Philadelphia. I am portraying David Rittenhouse and will be happy to discuss Solar observations in the 18th Century, the US Mint, and any other revolutionary issues you …

Government Red Tape

Today, “Red Tape” is a derisive term for rigid conformity to formal government regulations that slow or prevent action and decision-making. Usually applied to government and corporate bureaucracies, we associate “red tape” with filling out of seemingly unnecessary paperwork and various low-level rules that make conducting one’s affairs slower and more difficult.  It may surprise …

The Regimental Brewmeister will be at Center City Philly as part of “Once Upon a Nation” run by Historic Philadelphia

I will be in Independence National Park all day on June 1st, 13th, 15th, 19th and 27th as part of the “Once upon a Nation” program run by Historic Philadelphia. I am portraying David Rittenhouse and will be happy to discuss Solar observations in the 18th Century, the US Mint, and any other revolutionary issues you …

Historical Tidbits — New York Stock Exchange

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. May 17, 1792 – Goods, loans and future livestock began to be traded under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street in New York City.  This daily meeting would eventually …

How Cartridge Paper almost killed King George

In order to facilitate rapid loading during battle, 18th Century musket cartridges were made from rolled brownish-white paper.  This paper tube held both the powder and the ball was its own self contained wadding.  For training, reviews and firing a “feu de joie” or celebratory musket salute, however, blank rounds were needed. Numerous accidents were reported …

Historical Tidbits — Smallpox Vaccination.

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. May 14, 1796 – Edward Jenner publishes his procedure for smallpox vaccination.  His procedure differed from previous attempts at vaccination in that he injected a milder “attenuated” version of …