Stratheden Farm: The Blog: May Reenacting Roundup- Part 1

That should be me in those stocks.

Dearest reader, specifically P of KY, you will just have to forgive me. You see, I really hate using this computer and have not felt up to fighting it in order to write to you. The phone app which I occasionally use to make an impromptu post is not at all convenient to writing these longer, prettier, ones. So.... I avoid this beastly machine until I am forced to get attached to it.

That said, let me get on to telling you about some of our adventures in centuries past. The day is cold and foggy with intermittent rain so there are few activities more suited to the weather than telling you a story or two about the Raid at Historic Martin's Station, 2012.

Mr. Fuzzy is fond of regaling you with tales of indians and battles illustrated to make you feel as though you are peering into times past. I find the people watching at these events to be equally amusing, sometimes more so. Here are some scenes from the visitor center. You'll see that Cherokee warrior in context later on but what you should really notice are the funny looks from the visitors. These guys commit themselves to dressing like the people they portray and make no bones about it. Painted from head to toe, they are the number one object of outright gawking. Each year someone who does not understand that this is how native men dressed complains to the site's management about how 'offensive' it is to see these half naked boys running around. Their ancestors probably thought the same thing. I think the guys take such complaints as a compliment.

The overall quality of impression is very good at this event and is constantly improving. The spring raid draws several hundred participants who are all interested in creating a believable backdrop to the primary event. A few hold to old ideas but the "progressive" faction has definitely shamed most into making an increased effort, at least in personal adornment. Camps, however, are mostly set up for the comfort of their inhabitants.

We saw camps with multiple stoves, braziers, storage rooms, and a LOT of furniture. Indeed, people continue to load up dedicated trailers so as to be a little more comfortable over the weekend. We Fuzzys, however, prefer to enjoy the rest of the grounds! In years past, we have traveled with a French style campaign tent suitable to all the historical periods we have enjoyed from late medieval through the eighteenth century. It had bells at both ends, entry from the side, and a twelve foot ridge pole... and it was COLD in the morning... and yours truly couldn't reach anything conveniently hung from that ridge pole. This year, we downsized.

That is our brand new used wedge tent. (God bless you, Maurice!) Not the tiniest one but not too big either. It is just tall enough for Mr. Fuzzy to comfortably stand, has a single bell at the back, and goes up faster than we could get the old one laid out. Being lower, it is also warmer in the morning. In the background you can see the mansion made for two our neighbors erect. They feed half the county breakfast, so I suppose it is justified. unlike most, we do not dig a fire pit for ourselves preferring, instead, to creep into the woods and use the communal fire in the hunter's camp. We not only downsized out tent, but everything we take along. There is great joy in knowing we can pack the vehicle in about 30 minutes if we need to do so.

"We upgrade something every year."

All sorts of people come through the hunter's camp. It isn't all that difficult to find yourself there... a woodland super highway runs right through it. Indians, longhunters, n'er-do-wells, hoards of unruly schoolchildren, and the occasional white woman are all seen from time to time. It is a wonderful thing because you never know who you might meet whilst savoring a morning repast. It is frequently full of people who know something interesting and, if you ask, will expound upon some subject of frontier lore and history. This camp is especially known for two special people: we have the two best, most dedicated, and generous camp cooks one could ever dare hope for in the persons of Tom Black and Carroll Ross.

A jovial meal in camp.

In the evening the camp dogs are called to supper. Sometimes we are joined by honest to goodness canines! If you enlarge the picture you will surely recognize a few faces, P.

Mr. Ross and his conspirators are responsible, also, for the melodious ballad singing that erupts once night has fully taken hold. Other camps dissolve into the singing of more modern songs as the night wears on but I am happy to report that this camp stays in the 18th century by mutual consent of its residents. Even the most timid person who knows but one song is welcome (encouraged!) to sing. Yes, these rough woodsmen have a soft side too and are known to trill forth with the saddest of love songs, murder ballads, and ancient tunes played upon whistles.

Telling tales, some might be true!

Yes, it is the camaraderie of the evening hours that renews us all after a long day of teaching school children and half interested adults about life on the frontier circa 1775. Superstars like Mad Anne Bailey turn into their gentle, unencumbered, counterparts such as Mistress Susanne, caught enjoying the company of a still green reenactor. Mrs. Bailey reliably appears on the Saturday to tell the dramatic story of her life on the frontier, her sorrows, and her lifelong mission to bear the news of fallen soldiers home to their widows.

At the blacksmith's shop.

Throughout the day, visitors and participants alike are treated to scenes from the lives of the common sort of folk as they gather together for a rare fair, of sorts. The blacksmith has set out many useful items and around the corner there is an itinerant writing master who has set up shop in hopes of gaining a position- and much needed lodging -over the winter for he and his young wife. There is a washer woman, a party of surveyors looking to replace some men killed by savages, and the children of the fort have been given leave to amuse themselves once their chores are completed.

Indeed, the whole place was swarming with children from a few months old to those on the verge of being admitted into the ranks of adults. This lad remains amongst my favorites. He diligently stocks the camp woodpile in the morning and afternoon so the cooks may never worry about its provision. The rest of the day he scouts for unfriendly indians. Alas, he has, like so many, been wooed by their romantic ways and prefers, now, to fight with the red men rather than his own sort. Still, the boys are honest, brave, and forthright children who always return safely. How, we do not know.

View from the edge of encampment toward the fair.

Women and men venture into the stalls of sutlers to see what might be had. There were cloth merchants, hide dealers, potters, clothiers, indian traders, and even a stone carver for those wishing to memorialize a loved one. I, of course, could not sneak many photos whilst the public milled about, as I too was "in character." (As the lazy servant wench.) Here are a few sights around the event, many from my resting place in the stall of one Lisa Jo Crews, potter and purveyor of excellent delftware and the finest southeastern indian pottery.