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 18, 1801 XYZ Affair The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War. …
Category Archives: Ideas
Bill of Rights Day — December 15, 1791
On December 15, 1791, the new United States of America ratified the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of its citizens. The Bill of Rights draws influence and inspiration from the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and various later efforts in England …
Historical Tidbits — General Lee captured
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 15, 1776 General Lee captured General Charles Lee left his army and rode to Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, with a minimal guard. The following …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — General Lee captured”
The Regimental Brewmeister does “Talks” as well as brewing demonstrations.
The Regimental Brewmeister is happy to give talks and lectures at your site to audiences of any size. I ask that you provide appropriate auto visual projection equipment and event promotion. I typically come in 18th Century attire and conduct interactive discussions. While I am happy to consider talks on other subjects, I have delivered …
Continue reading “The Regimental Brewmeister does “Talks” as well as brewing demonstrations.”
Join the Regimental Brewmeister
People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th Century kit, you can be part of the program or just hang out in the tent as you see fit. However, if you are truly interested in really learning the process, teaching the public, and being the brewer, you should …
Join the Regimental Brewmeister
People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th Century kit, you can be part of the program or just hang out in the tent as you see fit. However, if you are truly interested in really learning the process, teaching the public, and being the brewer, you should …
The Pennsylvania Turnpike — 1791
In June, 1791, a private turnpike company was formed ‘for making an artificial road from the City of Philadelphia to the Borough of Lancaster’ — a distance of sixty-six miles. It was the first stone paved turnpike of substantial length in the country, and the most costly and ambitious public works project undertaken up to …
Debtors’ Prison
Well, Tis the Season when many of you are in a Dickens of a mood so let’s talk about 18th Century debtors in England. Prior to the Bankruptcy Act (1869), missing even a small debt payment could lead to decades of imprisonment. If you are familiar with Charles Dickens’ novel Little Dorrit, originally published as …
How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools – Measuring Elevations
Measuring how high a hill rises or whether a field is level involves the following equipment: A Jacobs Staff — a stick or pole with length markings. A set of chaining pins – markers that can be placed in the ground A Gunter’s Chain – a steel chain of 100 links exactly 66 feet long …
Continue reading “How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools – Measuring Elevations”
The Scourge of Slavery (#12) — How the Liberty Bell got its name
Every year millions of people come to Philadelphia to see the “Liberty Bell.” This large bell was commissioned in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly to hang in the new State House in Philadelphia. At the time it was commissioned, there was no thought about Independence. Philadelphia was the third most important city in the …
Continue reading “The Scourge of Slavery (#12) — How the Liberty Bell got its name”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 