Well, we are in an election year and already the nutcases are gaining ground. Sure, the GOP espouses ideals that are antiquated but at least two of the candidates have not yet been indited and none are currently facing court dates. That should be a prerequisite for office and those who would nominate a criminal, …
Category Archives: Ideas
Historical Tidbits — Battle of Cowpens
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. January 17, 1780 Battle of Cowpens Shortly after sunrise, the American rifleman encountered the lead elements of Colonel Balastre Tarleton’s British Legion, the 7th Regiment of Foot, 71st Regiment …
GOP vs Founding Fathers
Round 6 — The Right to Keep and Bear Arms Well folks, this is an election year. This guarantees we will disagree on many things but please heed this bit of advice – wear boots! The Republican Party likes to claim that they are “originalist” and that they know the intentions that the Founding Fathers …
The Scourge of Slavery (#15) — The Fugitive Slave Act Denies States the Right to Outlaw Slave Recovery
There were actually two Fugitive Slave Acts. The first. passed by Congress in 1793 and the second in 1850 (and repealed in 1864). The 1793 law enforced Article IV, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution in authorizing any federal district judge to decide without a jury trial the status of an alleged fugitive slave. The second Fugitive Slave Act …
Fighting the War behind a Desk
History books are filled with glorification of exploits on the battlefield and we have all heard the story of Alexander Hamilton bristling at the role of Aide-du-Camp and demanding his opportunity to prove himself in the field. The reality of military operations, however, is very different. Much of the real WORK of a military commander …
GOP vs Founding Fathers
Round 5 — Scientific Reason Well folks, this is an election year. This guarantees we will disagree on many things but please heed this bit of advice – wear boots! The Republican Party likes to claim that they are “originalist” and that they know the intentions that the Founding Fathers had when they penned the …
Hire the Regimental Brewmeister for your Event or Site
Add excitement and authentic color to your special event, or create one for your site, with Philadelphia’s best Colonial Brewer and tradesman. Whether it is a reenactment, motion picture, a tavern night for a private event, or other endeavor, I can bring can bring a real sense of authenticity and fun to your event and …
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How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools — Using the Sector
The sector and the related proportional compasses (proportional dividers) were developed in the second half of the 16th century. There are several inventors, most of them from Italy but most people attribute its development to Galileo Galilei. The sector consists of two arms connected by a pivot joint. For example, linear, trigonometric, and logarithmic scales …
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The Admiral of the Blue Apron
In Francis Grose’s A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, first published in 1785, I found an entry that I have adopted as the moniker for my tavern impression — The Admiral of the Blue Apron. The ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE, is a publican wearing a blue apron, as was formerly the custom among gentlemen …
GOP vs Founding Fathers
Round 4 — Socialism Well folks, this is an election year. This guarantees we will disagree on many things but please heed this bit of advice – wear boots! The Republican Party likes to claim that they are “originalist” and that they know the intentions that the Founding Fathers had when they penned the US …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 