Harpers Ferry Yuletide

[Elaine Kessinger]

We all dealt with less than ideal circumstances, historical buildings with quirks, and volunteer "re-enactors" needing a different historical level. Apologies given and accepted, we will say no more.

[Pvt_Idaho]

Mr. Fisher and Miss Kessinger it was a pleasure to meet you at Harpers Ferry on Saturday.

To Noah Briggs I give the credit for my steward’s impression. I was wearing his frock and used his pharmaceutical collection and paperwork. And it is thanks to his pharmaceutical notes and guidance (with a dose of Joseph Janvier Woodward’s Hospital Steward’s Manual and time well-spent at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine) that I can talk a bit to visitors about Civil War-era medicine. A steward’s impression is a new one for me and without question a work in progress.

The highlights of Harpers Ferry for this one of two stewards was listening to Mr. Briggs and Mr. Fisher discuss surgical procedures and pharmaceuticals with visitors. The delight on Noah’s face as he read the Latin labels of each of his 40 odd bottles of real or faux-made-to-look-and-taste-like-the real-medicine was infectious. I enjoyed my opportunity to talk about Civil war era medicines and what medicines might be prescribed for ailments still with us today.

The unplanned double steward situation was a bit awkward. I thought of putting on my private’s sack coat and letting the other steward do his thing, but he took a couple of breaks to walk about and get warm (the room we were stationed in had a tantalizing but non- functioning stove and a heating system blowing down cold air ) so I kept as I was. I spent much of the time as a doorman anyway, letting people in and out of a problematic door with a sticking lock. As the temperature fell later in the day, I draped my great coat over me and could have represented a private for all anyone knew.

Next year, if there are multiple groups with medical impressions, we might coordinate ahead of time so that we can work in shifts in the doctor’s office (and rig that door open) or set up shop in a larger area with a hospital-like venue rather than a doctor’s office.

My view--worth 2 cents or as much as GM stock.

All in all it was a worthwhile experience and I would gladly do it again next year.


YOS,

[NoahBriggs]

I spent much of the time as a doorman anyway, letting people in and out of a problematic door with a sticking lock.

Guess all that practice with the in-and-out cats and dogs paid off!

[Pvt_Idaho]

Yes, indeed!

[Quiverful]

Dear sirs,

We were one of those "reenactors" that sought shelter from the cold right before the meal was served(outdoors!) It was trully a cold day and we are sorry that we were not sensitive to your space. It would be great if we could all enjoy each other's company without having to get it right 100% of the time. We have attended this event for the past three years but have kept pretty much to the big tent to serve the public with the decorations and such. We leave the 1st person stuff to you all that know so much more than we do. No sarcasm, either! We all have lots to learn and it is nice when there are knowledgable people around. So please accept our apologies for intruding on your scenario.

[NoahBriggs]

I think I had left by then, unless that was lunch. Frankly I don't think the other civvies were underfoot. Coordinating beforehand would be good, that way we could come inside in shifts so the place doesn't get so overcrowded at once with the modern spectators and us. I think that was why Melinda Day had opened the stairs between the two rooms - to relieve the increased traffic pressure.

Should have announced yourself! We could have worked together and adapted. The doctor's office is a poor place for first-person anyway.

I had fun in general. How about you?