April hath put a spirit of reenacting in everything.

April 2021.

They say that the field of history is dying. Rather than issue last rites, it may be that they are taking the pulse in the wrong place.There was a recent New York Times article, The Jobs You’re Most Likely to Inherit From Your Mother and Father, November 22, 2017, which examined career paths most likely to be passed down from parent to child. One can only speculate as to why, but the field of history was not mentioned, but the connate desire to find and share information, are like left and right hands.

During the natural course of affairs, I had the good fortune of meeting two families with strong ties to the history/museum field. The similiarites are striking considering that they are on opposite sides of the planet, one in the United States, the other in Spain.This was not the case of following in the same footsteps, rather following the adjacent path which groomed them both to a different career choice of their fathers

We are grateful for the famlies of Paul Rosewitz and Javier Ribera for sharing their profiles, and their journey along the path to learning and personal growth.

Cicero is quoted as saying To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. Interestingly enough, the journey for the generations of both these famlilies started as children, whose futures took them on life’s journey to look to the past

THE FATHERS.

The interest for both fathers started as a trickle at a very young age. Javier can trace his interest to age 8, when he started building scale models. It was the firsthand experience with the details of history, these scale models created a need for details to be captured. This search brought him to photographs and foreign language texts in English, French and German, which he utilized without any understanding of the language.

In like manner, Paul Rosewitz began very young, history books being among the first things he looked at when he started to read. His grandfather, a World War II veteran related his experiences firsthand, supplementing his stories with the keepsakes that he had brought back.

Paul stated that he is drawn to the history field by the sleuthing required to bring out details that history has covered with the dust of time. “As a historian, I love looking for those details that expand the narrative, the causations and the results of human behaviour that often have far reachign and often unintended results.”

In like manner, Javier states that this “very investigation brings these previously unknown facts to light of day, which I then carry over into the living history world. I can then explain to the visiting public. The highest level of satisfaction that you can achieve, is when you see on the faces of the public, when you intellectually engage them in your explanation.

Of their career chicken or the egg; whether they started in the history field as a museum professional or as a reenactor/living historian, were very much in the same. Paul stated that he was solidly a reenactor, in fact a buckskinner. He got his first muzzleloader at age 11, worked all summer to save up enough money to buy what he truly wanted; a Parker Hale Enfield Artillery Carbine. At 15, he found a civil war reennacting group, but disappointed the southern roots of his family, when it was discovered to be a Union group. The group was run by Cal Kinzer, who persuaded him to join, with option of switching coats to change sides.

Paul went on to study history in college, serve in the military, and become an assistant professor of military history at Kemper Military College in Missouri. Upon retirement from the military, he and his family moved to his wife’s hometown of St. Louis, where he became a season park ranger at the Jefferson Memorial Historic Site, which reconnected him to his love of local history, before moving on to work at the National Archives.

Javier stated that the hobby prompted me to carry out specific studies of history, writing books and articles in magazines and, in 1997, to be part of the recently created Military Historical Museum of Valencia, joining its Association of Friends.

The last step came in 2005 when I started with the reenactment. As part of the Board of Directors of the Museum, in one of the Assemblies I commented on what I had seen years ago in England and in France, Historical reenactment events. I explained to them that it would be an interesting formula for the purposes of the Association and, in a few months, we formed a reenactment group.

Paul stated that his three daughters began participating in living history almost at birth! I feel

fortunate that each of them have chosen to continue participating in living history as they have moved into adulthood. Emily studied IT and had a fledgling business, Liz pursued a culinary degree and has gone into business for herself. Kathryn chose to study education to become a teacher and was afforded the opportunity when we were in Germany to student teach in a German school as well as a US school. I think she has developed some unique skills that have served her well so I think she has developed some unique skills that have served her well in the German-American Society in St Louis. I wanted the girls to do what they loved and never pushed them to go into the military as I had, or continue doing living history. But I am very happy they continue to have an interest in it.

Javier stated his daughter Sheila had chosen her profession of early Childhood Education early on

and is practicing it: At no time was it his intention to introduce her to the world of reenactment. It was she who was always interested and, from a very young age, she loved this world.

It is true that at present, with the studies that she has completed, she incorporates it in activities with children within Spanish cultural events and living History.

Did you teach her to research? Has she taught you anything?

Paul stated “I think the girls have learned a great deal about research and the importance of historical research theory and curiosity. I have tried to convey that facts are neutral and human nature is pretty constant but attitudes change. It does no good to impose your sensibilities on a historical figure. They would not understand you. Kat has taught me quite a bit about German clothing history as she has become an authority on 19th century and early 20th century German Regional apparel.”

Javier said “When the whole family (my wife, my son, my daughter and I) go together to the reenactments, conferences and other events, we always gained something by the shared experience.

From her I have learned how to deal with younger children to arouse their curiosity about history. You see their faces and you know that what they are seeing or hearing has been etched forever.

Do you think that the requirements of living history, ie, researching then public interpretation became second nature?

Paul Yes, I believe the process does become somewhat second nature,but it is a constant struggle. As discussed, research is constantly revealing additional information and in fact is perishable. The ability to interpret is honed over time but the information available to you to make a believable interpretation is forever changing and must be plugged into to be effective. As an example, the howitzer carriage the Fremont recovery team discovered in the mountains was not what I was expecting based on my earlier research. I had studied the Ordnance Department records and the Ordnance manual so I had an idea of what they would possibly recover. When they actually provided pictures, I quickly discovered that our understanding of what was being built by the Ordnance Corps was flawed. The carriage was actually based directly on the French pattern we based our model on. This was different that any of the published sources that are in the source bibliography currently. As a result I had to rewrite some of my earlier assumptions.

Javier:

I’m not sure. But if it is true that commemorating or reliving some of the relevant historical eventsmakes you aware of how everything has evolved and of the differences between today and thepast.

Was there a time in the hobby of reenacting when you saw more opportunities to learn?

Paul:

Living History always present an opportunity to learn. The challenge is to get participants to do their own research and use primary sources. I have seen individuals that only ‘learn by asking the old pards’. By that I mean they ask someone that has been in the hobby for years what to do. This can be successful but as I said earlier, there is so much new research and primary sources available today than ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago. The number of tactics, manuals and regulations that are online today are staggering. Looking to the original resource then discussing with others is an opportunity to bring synergy to the learning process and develop an greater understanding of the period you wish to portray.

Javier:

Well, I have already “learned” about many things but, yes. There are other people who, with little foundation in history, have learned a lot about history through reenacting.

Do you think that the living history hobby can groom future professional historians?

Paul:

Absolutely, I believe the interest in history not only drives people to become professional historians, but also living historians. This may be a chicken and an egg situation but I believe that the living history community and the professional historian communities have a great deal of overlap and capability to draw from each other’s insight.

Javier:

Yes. I am totally convinced. In fact, today in Spain there are many students at the University who started out as re-enactors. There are also many who, studying at the University, are now as reenactors.

THE DAUGHTERS.

What things did you learn from your father in terms of historical research?

Kat Rosewitz:

I learned that all things have more than one side and perspective and to get a clear view of anything, you need to search for documents and items from different lifestyles and experiences.

Sheila:

Everything. I have grown up in this world thanks to him. I started with 12 years wearing women’s clothes, then my father suggested that I learn to play the drum and the fife for the Napoleonic era and I liked it. Later I was learning with him all about uniforms of soldiers from different times, events and battles and I dared to dress up as a soldier. That has meant that he has learned and has enjoyed recreations from various points of view. All this was thanks to him that motivated me to learn and know everything.

Sheila

Yes, I am very creative. Together with my friend and my boyfriend, we develop children’s educational activities and projects, including the creation of hats from different times. In each of the events organized by the Association, we customize the children’s workshops according to the time represented.

Which have you found to be more creative?

Sheila

Any children’s workshop involves study and a lot of creativity. Children must be given things that appeal to them and that will simply help them understand and learn history.

When did you first go to a reenactment? What aspects of reenacting do you enjoy? Do you see reenacting and museum work as separate?

Kat:

My first reenactment was when I was 6 months old. I enjoy the social aspects of it. I’ve had so many experiences and met so many interesting people that I wouldn’t have had without the hobby. I think they can be separate but oftentimes go hand in hand. Museum work has much more life when you involve the historically costumed element.

Sheila

In 2007, in Valencia, recreating the Napoleonic era. What I enjoy the most is being inside the battle firing my musket or cannon.

Being different, development and purpose are always linked. Both need careful study and a way to show and teach history.

Would you recommend reenacting as a way of teaching/learning?

Kat:

Yes. I’ve used some of my reenacting kit, photos, videos, and actual reenactment situations in classroom situations on numerous occasions.

Sheila

Of course, it is a very direct way of “showing” history, since in schools it is not taught in an appropriate way according to ages. It is usually boring. With historical re-enactment, outside of statistics and policies, the story is more direct and encourages the interested party to search for more content referring to what is represented.

How do you see reenacting as a professional educator?

Kat:

It is a useful tool. Sometimes being able to experience something is different than just learning about it. One example would be when I was working with a US History class. We were covering the Great War and I took in my husband’s pony pack and his kit as well as the kit we have for his great, great uncle who was an engineer in the 314th Company B. He died 4 days before the war ended. I also used video from the Newville WWI tactical in Pennsylvania. The kids got much more out of the lesson by being able to see footage and hear a similar ambiance as soldiers in the trenches. They enjoyed being able to put on all of the gear as well. I think being able to have all of that weight on and walk across a room showed them a whole new side to the story than just being told that’s what a doughboy had with them and had to carry. I also think it’s more engaging to the kids to see both photos or drawings from the actual event alongside photos of someone they know doing it.

Sheila

It is a simpler and more direct way to teach the different aspects of History. With historical reenactment, the student can “live” in the first person and with the 5 senses (he can hear, smell, touch, see, even taste). It is very common for people to be reluctant to learn history, as it tends to seem boring and especially at teenage ages who think that learning history is something that is useless. I am very proud because thanks to this hobby we have achieved that many people have learned and some have even ended up participating with us in the living history group."

How did your father’s career impact or direct your career choice?

Kat:

Reenacting itself is a form of teaching so in a way, I’ve always done it and it influenced my career in that way. I possibly would have become a teacher anyway but I won’t ever know for sure.

Sheila

There is not a very direct influence, but perhaps, if it influences the way of teaching, motivation to investigate new things and in social relationships, because I can talk about many more topics that other people do not know.

Do you think that your husband or boyfriend’s love of the hobby makes your interest stronger?

Kat:

I believe so. It’s time that we spend together doing something we both independently enjoy. It’s nice because there are a lot of people we know in the hobby who enjoy it as their time away from their significant other but we enjoy being together but also have no problem doing things separately. An example is Newville, I have no interest in going and he loves it so I say have fun, see you in 4 days. In a lot of ways I do think it’s less stressful on Tim as well because he knows I support him even if I don’t want to go and I’m not going to nag him for going to events or spending money on reenacting related things. We kind of feed off of one another. Often times, if one of us is excited about something or going to an event, then the other is at the least happy they’re happy or at the most, becomes more excited because of it.

Sheila:

He dared to enter the world of reenacting for me. We continue in it so that interest has been growing. He started in recreations 8 years ago, which are the ones we have in relationship with. He did not know what it was like to live this world from within and he loved it. He was very surprised and shocked to go into battle and pick up a musket. Now he helps and instructs new recruits. He also learned how to make the soldiers’ chainmail and thus in re-enactments he could teach people how it was done.

We wanted to extend our sincerest thanks to both the Rosewitz and Panells families for sharing their thoughts on how the history field played a role in who they became. Just as these experiences were passed on and shared within their families, it is hoped that others may draw inspiration to not only share the interest, but to utilize the didactic tools of living history in goals much broader than the hobby.

When one immerses themselves in the material culture of the 19th century, you encounter numerous bleeps on the radar of that time. The more heavily promoted the person or item was, only served to make that bleep harder to ignore. Such was the case with Dr. Plumer’s Patent Last. Over a period of a decade, Dr. John Plumer was granted a series of patents for a very sophisticated method for producing shoe lasts. With many mechanical innovations of hte 19th century, the practical applicaiton of the idea gets lost in the white noise of the , technical information becomes white noise of the marketing and baroque presentation. The rabbit hole literally started with this advertisement. It was a matter of looking more in depth as to what was actually being advertised, and then the merits of the product itself.

At first blush, it appeared to be advertising a particular boot, but closer examination showed that it was for the wooden forms, or lasts, upon which the boots and shoes are made. The marketing was so strong, and application so broad, that they even had the army lined up as a potential customer.

The initial patent was for a shoe upper, focusing primarily on the fit of the sold of the foot. The later patent reflects a much more intense manipulation of the lasts.

It was really in the area marketing and celebrity endorsement that the patent pulled ahead.

There could be no heavier hitter than the Reverand Henry Ward Beecher, who would not doubt draw upon the following that he had garnered. Beecher was not only famous in his own right, but also for the fame garnered by his daughter, Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Endorsements by the army, could not have happened at a more opportune time, when the care and condition of the troops int the field took a front seat.

The patent stamps appeared as proof of the royalties being paid, over which hung the threat of legal action to infringement.

In order to eliminate the fog, it takes the applicaiton of practical experience to assess the merits of the patent. It was at that point that we referred the question the Master bootmaker, D.A. Saguto, who recently retired from Colonial Williamsburg.

The US Army Q.M. Dept., Philadelphia Arsenal (correspondence in National Archives, DC) was considering “Dr. Plumer’s” last for bootees as early as June of 1862, apparently before he patented it, as they thought it might be superior to the shallow, toe-crushing standard US Army bootee lasts then in use.

Like the German “hygienic movement” (1850s-90s), Plumer seemed fascinated with anatomically and architecturally correct lasts, maybe too much so from the looks of it. It’s possible he had read Dr. Meyer’s classic: Why Shoe Pinches https://www.amazon.com/Why-Shoe-Pinches-Contribution-Applied/dp/0282377433 Plumer’s last would have been extremely difficult and additionally laborious to build a Federal bootee over, and the hollow concavities on the bottom would be crippling if not in precisely the right location for a given foot. In other words, “it’s got way too much going on” architecturally to be a good fitting last for mass-production of ready-made footwear, Army shoes, or fitting generic feet “off the rack”. It’s almost “orthopedic”, like a last bottom based on a plaster cast of a foot, which is accepted practice for custom work or orthotic inserts, but a disaster for ready-mades in my opinion. Plumer’s principles are sound, but were taken too far. Medical doctors usually design terrible, or at least ugly lasts. The only one who broke that mold was Dr. Lyman Munson, and the US Army Munson last he developed in 1912 https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Foot-Military-Shoe-Noncommissioned/dp/1330960475 The Munson last was used for US combat boots up through the late ‘50s-’early ‘60s—a good, long, successful run.

D. A. “Al” Saguto, Burgess Cordiner and Freeman of the City of Glasgow, is founding director of The Honourable Cordwainers’ Company, and leading U.S. authority on shoemaking and the shoe archaeology. Since 2017 he has been the project director for footwear research at the Vasa Museum in Sweden. He’s served as clinical faculty/thesis advisor at the College of William & Mary, and consulting curator for historical shoemaking exhibitions at The Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, plus dozens of public and private museums. The Master Boot & Shoemaker for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (1990-2016), consulting curator for archaeological footwear Historic Jamestowne, and guest-lecturer, University of Delaware, and Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Fashion Design and Merchandising.

Garfield Farm Museum:

The lands of Garfield Farm Museum were first settled by the Samuel Culbertson Family on July 8th, 1835. Culbertson came from Fairfield Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania to present day Campton Hills, 40 miles west of Chicago.In hisday book,Culbertson recordedtheir journey starting on April 22, 1835 and arriving in Chicago on May 23rd.. After several weeks, the family set out for Kane County, arriving at present day Geneva, IL June 20th, 1835.

Taking up his claim, Culbertson began felling trees for housing and breaking the prairie.He built a log house comprised of one pen with a lean-to. As the government had not surveyed the area,settlers could claim property as long as “improvements” were made.Onceland sales began, these “squatters” could buy up to 160 acres at $1.25 per acre. Culbertson’s 440 acre claim was a substantial tract, so ifshort of cashhe could sell hisclaim rights to buy land elsewhere.

On May 10, 1837, Timothy Garfield left Vermont to scout out northern Illinois. By late June, he returned to Vermont, homesick and probably alarmed since the Panic of 1837 was underway.Yet come 1841, after another hard winter, Timothy P. Garfieldvowed there was no opportunity for his children, so selling the farm in Mt. Holly Township in Rutland County, Vermont, the family set out for Illinois. On May 26, in St. Charles, IL,Timothy met up with former schoolmate, Horace Bancroft, a blacksmith. Bancroft told Timothy about Culbertson’s five mileswest of town.

Garfieldstruck a $650 deal with Culbertsonfor the 440 acres,30 already in crops, and the log house that sat in the fork of the Chicago–St.Charles-Sycamore and the St.Charles–Oregon(IL) Roads.The week of July 8, the Culbertsons and Garfields shared quarters as moving in and out proceeded.

Settling in their first week, the Garfields heard a door knock by weary travelers, hungry, thirsty and tired enroute between Chicago and points west. Opportunity had knocked to operate a tavern like those back in Vermont. Taverns or inns constituted today’s equivalent of a bed, bar, breakfast and truck stop.In that 1841-1842 season, Garfield expanded the log house as an inn, tearing down and enlarging the original pen and built the 1842 threshing barn.

The most memorable night of log tavern keeping occurred in August of 1846. Already filled for the night, a wagon party of 27 German settlers arrived at 9pm seeking lodging. The inn’s guests agreed to make room and that evening 64 peoplewere under roof with Timothy,wife Harriet,four sons, and three of the four daughters!

In Vermont, Timothy was a schoolteacher, farmer and brick maker. During the summer of 1845, Timothy made 80,000 bricks onsite for a more permanent New England style home. On October 13, 1846, the family moved into their new home and inn.

A night at the Garfield Tavern cost three bits or 37-1/2 cents.To prevent price gouging, Kane Countyregulated tavern chargesat no more than 38 cents. Accommodations included dinner, feed for one’s ox or horse team, lodging, and breakfast the next morning. Between Chicago and Garfield’s farm, 40 taverns were located along the St. Charles-Chicago Road, one about every mile.

The brick tavern also served as a community-gathering center. Dances were

held in the second floor ballroom three or four times a year with the Fourth of July being the premier date to celebrate. Attendees would pay up to $2, and the entertainment would start around four continuing until dawn. Music, food and socializing gave neighbors a breakfrom the daily routine. One of those in attendance might have been the teenage fiddle enthusiast, Charles Ingalls, who lived amongst the 85 farms of Campton Township

By 1849, the tavern days were booming. Timothy Garfield’s biographer, oldest son and barkeeper,Green, sought to increase businessby adding a horse barn to house16 span (the Garfield’s team and 15 teams of customers horses). Concurrently, a railroad spur was extended to St. Charles in December 1849. This diverted a substantial amount of road traffic to the train. Good weather allowed athree day wagon ride to Chicago, a day to sell or buy commodities, and then another three days return.The train shortened that to a day. A three hour commute to conduct business, allowed for a same day return.Innkeeping declined as farmers took advantage of the new technology.

With the addition of the railroad, wheat production gradually shifted to milk, as ox power yielded to horse power. The barns

were adapted to dairy operation.In 1906, Timothy’s widowed daughter-in-law, Hannah Mighell Garfield, had a dairy barn built from pre-cut materials shipped to the nearby LaFox depot. Materials and construction cost $1,800. This post-less first floor, truss engineered red barn housed 36 milk cows and loose hay above in a massive two story loft.

Elva Garfield, Timothy’s granddaughter, inherited the property that was farmedby the Ander Strom family. Elva wanted to fulfill her mother Hannah’s 1890 vision of making the brick farm house a museum to honor the settlers. In 1975, land rich but cash poor, she approachedlocal volunteer preservationist, Eve Johnson, to help find a public body to run the farm as a museum. Much effort was made contacting local and state entities to develop the entire 242 acre farm as a living history farm but to no avail. Undeterred, Eve and Elva founded in 1977, a land preservation agency and a historical agency to establish Garfield Farm& Tavern Museum.

Soon tours and educational programing featuring the themes of history, farming and nature began what is now a 44 year old undertaking. Today Garfield Farm Museum hosts an array of programs and events, like a fall harvest days,a rare breeds livestock show, and a prairie management seminar. The museum has expanded to 375 acres and 26 buildings with the addition of the Timothy’s son Edward’s adjacent 1859 dairy farm. For Illinois, the Prairie State, even a very rare 16 acresof unplowed prairie survive.The museum’s livestock and poultry are breeds that existed during the mid-19th century. Four 1840s buildings and others are available for guided tours including the grounds and animals.

A $4 million 2027 50th Museum Anniversary Bucket List Fund to complete the museum’s restoration is underway. Over $12 million of frugally used donations and thousands of volunteer hours have been put into the project.

The museum is located at 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills, Illinois 60175. For a brochure or newsletter contact PO Box 403, Lafox, Illinois 60147 or e-mail info@garfieldfarm.org. Call 630-584-8485 to get the latest information,go to http://www.garfieldfarm.org or Garfield Farm Museum on Facebook.The fictional book, Angie of Garfield Farm, is a great resource for young minds to bring history to life.

Garfield Farm Museum

3N016 Garfield Rd

Campton Hills, IL 60175

PO Box 403

Lafox, IL 60147

Garfield Farm Museum.

Of solemn note, marks the passing of Judith Rees McMillen. She was the first female president of the Early American Industries Association and served as a board member of the Historic Eastfield Foundation. It was her former position as director of education at Historic Richmondtown in Staten Island, NY made her first steps in a lifelong pursuit of historical education and preservation.

Judy established the open hearth cooking and domestic arts programs at Historic Richmond Town. Digital Content Creator, Sarah Schackne-Fulginiti noted that Judy started the domestic arts program at HRT which is why they still have livng history at the site. Thanks to her, we have

spinners and weavers and dress makers and open hearths.

She taught many the joys of cooking in a fireplace, and baking bread and pies in a wood-fired brick oven. Her husband Bill noted that she was always looking to add more programs and schdule more people, and in particular, children through the site.

She and her husband Bill McMillen, former Head of Restoration, called the historic Schwiebert House home, and living on site,

where she and bill restored it to its original beauty.Together, they would spend decades caring for the site’s 100 acres and working to restore, maintain, and interpret the many historic structures in the village.

Her husband Bill noted that she lived by the mantra that education had to be Fun. She would make sure that the programs were just that and history was truthfully interpreted with all the employees and public.

Judy can rest knowing that her legacy continues in the living history community and in particular at Richmondtown. The staff carries and uses the interpretive tools that she developed, and the mark that she made in her lifetimes’ work will be with them forever.

Discounted magazine subscription offered to our cusotmers!

New In stock page!

The success of the Ebay store has proven the value of maintaining a level of inventory of items. Consequently, this past month we launched an in stock section of the website, which will list items available for immediate shipment. Once they sell out, they will disappear from the listing until replenished.

Contract variant brogans in sizes 10. 11 and 12 are in stock and will be posted this week!

In Stock Items Section.

Mark Serour.

Mark’s initial exposure to reenacting came much later in life than most, when, in his early 20s (early 1990s) that he was a spectator at an incredibly small reenactment at what was then called the White House Ranch in Colorado Springs, CO. The few hobbyists present were participating in a skirmish that pitted Texans against Colorados during the March, 1862 Battle of Pigeon’s Ranch in New Mexico Territory. It was far from an accurate portrayal, but something about it captivated him.

Over a decade later that he entered the world of reenacting, volunteering with the National Park Service at Fort Laramie NHS (FOLA) in WY. At the time he was finishing up his Master’s Degree in Military History with a concentration in American Civil War - and consequently wasn’t as well read on the frontier military. But, he quickly and voraciously dove deeply into the subject and was able to weave his academic background with his new found love of frontier Army living history.

While a living historian at FOLA he assumed various impressions, all third person - fur trade, trail emigrant, civilian sutler (at the post store), and, of course, soldier - both field and garrison. What he relished about living history at FOLA was that the time period spanned almost a full six decades! Thus, it created wonderful opportunities for many different impressions, allowing him to gain so much knowledge, which would happened if he wasrelegated to one role or time period.

He believes that historical interpretation, if done properly, is quite difficult. Engaging, effective first-person interp. is for the chosen few who are exceptional, modestly stating that he is not one of them. A balance of content-rich monologue, audience interaction, captivating delivery, and ability to maintain cohesion and make past-present links where applicable are all indispensable to good, solid historical interpretation. It is a skill that takes years to perfect and I am still working on it; and likely always will.

Beginning in 2006, he started his foray into Civil War reenacting in the East by participating in an event at Rich Mountain, WV., whee he discovered the ‘campaigner’ side of the hobby. This greatly appealed to

him and felt completely comfortable with being uncomfortable. This event being the ‘head domino,’ so to speak, creating, for him, an appetite for reenacting and thereafter leading him to travel to many events in many states over the years, and establishing valuable friendships.

The reenacting journey has also been enriching in acquiring more knowledge of material culture. Mark believes authenticity in reenacting begins with accurate, or reasonably accurate, impressions. “Just simply by being duly adorned, one can gain a general understanding of clothing and equipment, role, time period, and more.” And that adornment should be principally grounded in primary research - period imagery, museum collections, contemporary document descriptions, &c.

He travels eastward with less frequency, staying primarily in the Trans-Mississippi. However, if a fun event catches his eye no matter where it is he makes every attempt to participate. His focus now is operating a small business - Traces of the Past History Tours in Fort Collins, CO - conducting local history tours, regional field trips, and presentations. It allows him to marry my his passions, imparting history and living history!

For those who have requested back issues of he newsletter, we are posting the full archive of newsletters. We are including ones that we published for the Jersey Skilletlicker back in 2003. There are some really great articles in there, all free of charge! Drop us a line if you are interested in getting updates when notification when more editions are added!

Newsletter Archive.

P. M'Dermott Wholesale Stationers items.

This is an item that is not only a fantastic first person/interpretive tool, but a solid piece of documentation. As they sold and shipped things throughout the continent, these catalogs would be just the thing for a museum dry goods store or sutler display.

W.K. Lewis Catalog.

Essential to maintain control and discipline in the camp, these items are the perfect way to detail and scenario at the same time.

Camp Passes.

Camp Inspection Returns.

Mansfield Preservation.

The latest campaign by the American Battlefield Trust to protect historic landscapes includes 20 acres at Mansfield, La., where an 1864 battle figured significantly in the larger strategies that characterized the final year of the American Civil War