If you read this blog enough, you are familiar with 18th Century taverns being the social and business hubs of many communities. Early taverns weren’t just bars, they were used for business meetings, post offices, news agents, militia headquarters, judicial meetings, polls, and as places for lively political debates. To overcome social anxiety and help …
Category Archives: Ideas
And Now for Something Completely Different: The State Sport of Maryland is Jousting!?
Typically associated with either its military or aristocratic origins, jousting is a martial art we associate with 13th century medieval tournaments. Mention jousting and images of knights galloping headlong toward armored opponents, aiming wooden lances, and smashing against each other in an explosion of splinters comes to mind. Aside from the sometimes with deadly results, …
The Regent’s Punch
George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales, was born on August 12, 1762 at St James’ Palace, the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte. When his father became incapacitated due to mental instability and ill health, he ruled for nine years as Regent (1811 – 1820) before becoming King upon his father’s death in …
Turkey? Why Turkey?
For many a Thanksgiving meal is centered on turkey. Turkeys are indigenous only to parts of North America and Europeans only first came into contact with turkeys roughly 500 years ago. So how did turkeys (the bird) end up being named so similarly to Turkey (the country)? As far as we can tell, the first European …
The Scourge of Slavery (#8) — Thomas Jefferson, a Slaveholder, argues to end slavery in new United States
There were 87 edits to Jefferson’s original draft of the Declaration of Independence. Most were trivial, shortened phrases here or word substitutions there, but there is one glaring omission. One entire paragraph highlighting perhaps the greatest CRIME committed by King George, Parliament, the various “companies” (like the East India Company) and other agents of British …
Despite Today’s Politics, the Turkey was Never Considered as Our National Symbol
There is a myth that the turkey almost came to represent the United States. The story goes that after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Congress asked Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to design a seal for our new nation. Since many of the Germanic nations, incorporate eagles into their pageantry, the eagle …
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Bombay Presidency Punch
Because trading was hazardous and had uncertain returns, investors formed commercial syndicates to spread the risk. The two most famous were the East India Company, a British organization chartered in 1600, and the Dutch East India Company, chartered in 1602. The latter issued stocks and bonds to the public, so it could be considered the …
Beer Recipe: The Kings Shilling Stout
The King’s Shilling Oh my love has left me wi’ bairnies twaAnd that’s the last o’ him I ever sawHe’s joined the army and he marched awa’He took the shillin’He took the shillin’ and he marched awa’CHORUSCome laddies come, hear the cannons roarTake the King’s shilling an’ we’re off tae warCome laddies come, hear the …
Martha Washington’s Rum Punch
Elections in the 18th Century were festive. Food and drink were provided to voters to encourage both turn-out (often 85 percent of the eligible voters[1] participated). Songs were sung and GALLONS of rum punch were consumed. Prior to Prohibition, handing out drinks in order to woe voters was common. When Washington entered politics for the …
Schuylkill Fish House Punch
Fish House Punch is an alcoholic drink consisting mainly of rum. The first mention of Fish House Punch — though not yet by that name — may be in the notes of William Black, the secretary of the embassy of Virginia Commissioners who visited Philadelphia in 1744. He recounted being met by locals on the …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 