Today Americans boast a whoppingly deplorable literacy rate of about 86% depending on how you measure literacy. Compare this to Colonial New England where, discounting slaves, women, indentured servants, and indians, in a time when books, newpapers, and magazines were largely unobtainable, the literacy rate was almost 60%*. Today with telephones, television, radio, and various …
Category Archives: Ideas
Historical Tidbits — STAMP ACT
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. March 22, 1765 STAMP ACT The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first internal tax levied directly on American colonists by the British Parliament. The act, which imposed …
Cannonball Tavern is March 25
Fort Mifflin Come to Fort Mifflin on March 25th when we transform the Soldier’s Barracks into the Cannonball Tavern, complete with authentic beverages and hearty tavern fare. Enjoy 18th century tavern games, the warm glow of a cozy fire, lively toasting, music and the company of civilians and soldiers of the era. This is a …
Cherry Trees
So, I took my wife to DC to view the Cherry Blossoms. We were a bit early as they look like peak blooming will be late this week, but the phenomenon is not to be missed. Spectacular! Cherries have a special place in American History. We’ve all heard the story of George Washington who as …
Cannonball Tavern is March 25
Fort Mifflin Come to Fort Mifflin on March 25th when we transform the Soldier’s Barracks into the Cannonball Tavern, complete with authentic beverages and hearty tavern fare. Enjoy 18th century tavern games, the warm glow of a cozy fire, lively toasting, music and the company of civilians and soldiers of the era. This is a …
Come Help Us Create a Unique Portable Bar at Fort Mifflin
March 19 at 10:30 at Fort Mifflin! We are moving forward with our plans to build a bar wagon. Our second work day is March 12 and we plan to finish out the interior of the wagon so that it transforms from a carriage for people into a carriage for spirits, and snacks that can …
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Historical Tidbits — Leathernecks
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. Why are Marines often called “Leathernecks?” Leather neck stocks were part of the standard uniform of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps at the time of the American Revolution. …
Let’s Rise to the Challenge and REALLY Make America Great Again.
So, I find myself driving alone late at night across Pennsylvania and in the interest of staying alert, I turn on the radio (mistake #1). The music kind of drones on and doesn’t really help so I switch to “talk radio” (mistake #2). Have you noticed that despite their arguments to the contrary, bigots, anarchists, …
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Making Perry
Perry is made by fermenting the juice of freshly squeezed pears with the help of natural yeasts. As apples are to cider, so pears are to perry. Perries have complex but subtle flavors that are typically more delicate than cider; good perry can be like a subtle white wine. In some parts of West England …
Making “Hard” Cider
Cider has a long and rich history in America. It was the beverage of choice from the first English settlers in the 16th Century until well into the late 19th Century. When the Mayflower suffered beam damaged in a storm badly enough to consider turning back to England, a large iron screw was taken from …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 