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 …
Category Archives: General history
18th Century Parlor Games
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 …
THE BILL OF RIGHTS: A BRIEF HISTORY #6
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 …
THE BILL OF RIGHTS: A BRIEF HISTORY #5
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 …
THE BILL OF RIGHTS: A BRIEF HISTORY #4
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 …
East India Company Breakfast Martini
Cocktails are traditionally thought of as an American innovation, but they were actually inspired by British punches—big bowls of spirits mixed with fruit juice, spices, and other flavors, consumed in punch houses in the 18th century. The term cocktail was even first seen in a British newspaper printed March of 1798. But the term wasn’t …
East India Company Punch
Cocktails are traditionally thought of as an American innovation, but they were actually inspired by British punches—big bowls of spirits mixed with fruit juice, spices, and other flavors, consumed in punch houses in the 18th century. The term cocktail was even first seen in a British newspaper printed March of 1798. But the term wasn’t …
US Marines in the American Revolution — Willings’ Marine Expedition
February 1778 In the period prior to the Revolution, James Willing, scion of a prominent Philadelphia family, had engaged in trade at Natchez. In the fall of 1777, he received, through the influence of his brother Thomas and a close friend, Robert Morris, a commission from Congress that authorized him to organize a volunteer company …
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East India Company Hibiscus Fizz
Cocktails are traditionally thought of as an American innovation, but they were actually inspired by British punches—big bowls of spirits mixed with fruit juice, spices, and other flavors, consumed in punch houses in the 18th century. The term cocktail was even first seen in a British newspaper printed March of 1798. But the term wasn’t …
Okay, The East India Company is Really Famous for … Tea.
Tea is arguably the world’s most popular beverage. It is enjoyed by millions of people around the globe daily. But this wasn’t always so. In addition to trading in luxurious goods such as exotic spices, fine fabrics and bullion, The East India Company played a pivotal role in introducing tea not only to the British …
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 