Category Archives: Ideas

Okay, I have bad news:  Beer makes humans more attractive to mosquitoes.

In my presentation as Regimental Brewmeister, I frequently extol the benefits of beer over the local water.  While drinking beer will protect you from Typhus and Cholera, there is a slightly greater chance that you will contract Yellow Fever if you drink beer.  Turns out that the alcohol you’re drinking, and that you are excreting …

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Brewing Up History with Regimental Brewmeister

July 4, 202410 AM – 6 PMWashington Crossing Historic Park1112 River RdWashington Crossing, PA 18977 Okay, we are going back to Washington’s Crossing. Not to invade New Jersey (we’ll do that later) but to brew beer. Military expeditions were not possible in the 18th Century without vast quantities of beer (DON”T DRINK THE WATER!).  I will, therefore, …

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Ridges and Other Markings on Coins were Introduced by Isaac Newton

In 1696, Sir Isaac Newton was tapped as the Warden of the Royal Mint.  These positions were, typically, considered ceremonial government honors for those citizens who had already aspired to greatness rather that real responsibilities. But Newton saw that the country had a massive counterfeit coin problem and took actions to address it.  You have …

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The New Nation Needed SPECIE Coinage

Because of a shortage of hard currency, most of the colonies issued paper currency prior to the American Revolution.  This coupled with an ongoing trade that often involved various foreign currencies, was sufficient for most trade as we had a largely barter driven economy.  When war broke out with Great Britian, the Continental Congress grappled …

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Long Before the ERA, David Rittenhouse Provided Government Jobs for Women

At a time when gender roles were very strict and women generally did not work outside a few very limited industries, David Rittenhouse, the first director of the US Mint, hired women onto the production staff.  In 1795, Sarah Waldrake and Rachael Summers were hired as adjusters making the US Mint the first federal agency …

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Tranquil Gardens within Independence National Historical Park

We often go to Independence National Historical Park just to see the big historic sites but its good to remember that this is also a very tranquil park (when you get away from the tourist).  Next time you are there, take some time to visit the gardens. 18th Century Garden The 18th Century Garden showcases …

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Excise is defined as a “hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom excise is paid.”

There remains a stubborn perception that somehow Noah Webster wrote the first American dictionary. This is actually not true.  There were many dictionaries written in the 18th Century and the premier edition was written by Samuel Johnson. In June 1746, Samuel Johnson signed the contract with a group of booksellers in London to write A …

Continue reading “Excise is defined as a “hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom excise is paid.””

Brewing Up History with Regimental Brewmeister

July 4, 202410 AM – 6 PMWashington Crossing Historic Park1112 River RdWashington Crossing, PA 18977 Okay, we are going back to Washington’s Crossing. Not to invade New Jersey (we’ll do that later) but to brew beer. Military expeditions were not possible in the 18th Century without vast quantities of beer (DON”T DRINK THE WATER!).  I will, therefore, …

Continue reading “Brewing Up History with Regimental Brewmeister“