bill watson
08-06-2006, 09:04 AM
We're looking for soldiers and civilians interested in spending a busy weekend interacting with potentially thousands of visitors with an interest in history. The Quiet Valley Living History Farm's Oct. 7-8 Fallfest annually packs people in, all pre-selected by at least some interest in history. A handful of local Civil War living historians has been doing business there for 10 years or more, and the group is now ready to see if we can add company drill, skirmish drill and some kerfuffle to the knapsack talks, company kitchen demo, firing demonstrations, bread-stealing skits with the farm bakehouse, etc.
People who are happy actually engaging an interested public will thrive at this weekend, but you'll also go home very tired. And very well fed, on period-correct meals prepared in period-correct ways and supplemented by fresh-baked, stolen bread. We've got the company kitchen thing working very well and can turn out quality meals very efficiently.
Since it is a living history, we welcome any historically accurate impression, Union or Confederate, and will simply explain the incongruity of uniforms to visitors when we form up for a company drill demonstration or whatever. Since it is a living history, the camps are part of the exhibit and we strive for as much accuracy as we can get. Since it is a living history, it is not a reenactment, and those who come need to get their fulfillment from interacting with the public rather than from participating in spectacle or being entertained themselves. And, of course, from enjoying good talk and companionship after the crowds go home Saturday.
If you are interested in living history but aren't sure you're up to the mark on knowledge and skills, please: This is the place to come learn more, to improve your impression, from folks who teach this stuff from time to time.
Quiet Valley Living History Farm is a private nonprofit just outside Stroudsburg, Pa., not far off Interstate 80 near the Delaware Water Gap.
The only time I've dealt with bigger crowds was a July 4 weekend at Gettysburg with the Mifflin Guard. This is a happening place, with a staff of mostly volunteer docents supplemented during Fall Festival by specialists in baking, blacksmithing, weaving, period music and other 19th Century arts and crafts, who come from as far away as Maine.
If you are interested, please drop us an email. If you know of others who might be interested, pass this along.
prime contact:
Ron Myzie
rejmyzie@gmail.com
secondary contact:
Bill Watson
wjwatson@ptdprolog.net
Thanks!
People who are happy actually engaging an interested public will thrive at this weekend, but you'll also go home very tired. And very well fed, on period-correct meals prepared in period-correct ways and supplemented by fresh-baked, stolen bread. We've got the company kitchen thing working very well and can turn out quality meals very efficiently.
Since it is a living history, we welcome any historically accurate impression, Union or Confederate, and will simply explain the incongruity of uniforms to visitors when we form up for a company drill demonstration or whatever. Since it is a living history, the camps are part of the exhibit and we strive for as much accuracy as we can get. Since it is a living history, it is not a reenactment, and those who come need to get their fulfillment from interacting with the public rather than from participating in spectacle or being entertained themselves. And, of course, from enjoying good talk and companionship after the crowds go home Saturday.
If you are interested in living history but aren't sure you're up to the mark on knowledge and skills, please: This is the place to come learn more, to improve your impression, from folks who teach this stuff from time to time.
Quiet Valley Living History Farm is a private nonprofit just outside Stroudsburg, Pa., not far off Interstate 80 near the Delaware Water Gap.
The only time I've dealt with bigger crowds was a July 4 weekend at Gettysburg with the Mifflin Guard. This is a happening place, with a staff of mostly volunteer docents supplemented during Fall Festival by specialists in baking, blacksmithing, weaving, period music and other 19th Century arts and crafts, who come from as far away as Maine.
If you are interested, please drop us an email. If you know of others who might be interested, pass this along.
prime contact:
Ron Myzie
rejmyzie@gmail.com
secondary contact:
Bill Watson
wjwatson@ptdprolog.net
Thanks!