We all think of Benjamin Franklin as a grandfatherly type who invented and published things, sort of that eccentric neighbor who was everyone’s friend, but there was a ruthless side to Franklin. In 1728, a printer named Samuel Keimer founded the Pennsylvania Gazette, the second newspaper ever printed in the colony. It did not do …
Continue reading “Dirty Business and Politics are Often Bedfellows”
Punch was introduced from the Indian subcontinent to England by employees of the East India Company in the late 17th century. The original drink was named paantsch from Hindi पाँच (pāñć), meaning “five,” as the drink was frequently made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, juice from either a lime or a lemon, water, and spices …
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. November 16, 1776 Fort Washington taken by British After winning a major victory on Long Island the British began to move against Manhattan in mid-September. Unwilling to abandon New York …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Fort Washington taken by British”
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. November 16, 1777 Siege Fort Mifflin On September 22, Howe succeeded in achieving an uncontested crossing of the Schuylkill River and four days later occupied Philadelphia. Having taken the city, …
In the drink world, a shrub is a concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is the most common base for shrubs, and herbs and spices are often added to create interesting flavor combinations. By the 18th Century, making shrub with no vinegar was considered passé but vinegar shrubs will make …
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. November 15, 1777 – Articles of Confederation, the first US Constitution, is passed on this date in 1777. Two days later, the Continental Congress sent the Articles to the …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Articles of Confederation”
The traditional hot toddy formula is simple: Start with a hot cup of tea, add lemon and honey, then a bit of whiskey. This is certain to make even the worst cold feel just a little better. The toddy is believed to have been invented in Scotland sometime in the eighteenth century. It was a …
Switchel or “Haymaker’s Punch” is a drink made of water mixed with vinegar, and often seasoned with spices like ginger. It is usually sweetened with molasses or brown sugar. Switchel originated in New England, and it became a popular summer drink in the American Colonies in the late 17th century. By the 19th century, it …
The American revolution was a matter of great interest for the people in Britain. The British press weighed in on economics, military success and failures, the morality of the revolution, and more, through the press and private correspondence. As the British enjoyed one of the freest press systems in the world, not everyone felt obliged …
Continue reading “How the British Perceived the American Revolution”
The earliest record of the precursor to lemonade hails from the Mediterranean coast of medieval Egypt. Kashkab was made from fermented barley (like beer) combined with mint, rue, black pepper and citron. Thanks to Jewish books like the Cairo Genizah, we know that Egypt traded and exported bottles of the sugary lemon juice concoction throughout …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 