Kristen: Charlton Park Reenactment

Whew! It has been a very very busy month! I've gotten engaged, made 18th century stays, finished a dress, and even found time for a weekend reenactment. My lack of writing is the result of the many activities I sign up for!

Including my limb cleaning duty

Charlton Park is perhaps my favorite event in reenacting, with Port Sanilac at a close second. Last year I visited the house during the day, and this year Mr. Giorlando planned a scenario. Let me add that this house includes "magical" cool air that rises from an ice house below. With temperatures in the mid-80s, it was greatly appreciated (I had heat exhaustion a few years back, and have never completely recovered).

I was in a mourning impression, a daughter whose beloved George died for the Confederacy in the Battle at Fredericksberg. I wore my black sheer, and even brought my veil and black gloves. As was custom, I could not leave the house or accept visitors. There I sat alone in my little room upstairs, hemming my mourning veil.

 

As a social person, it was at first difficult to be secluded from the family. Yet the more I sat in silence, the more I could take on the persona of the sad widow. I thought about how I would feel, alone in my room, away from the merriment of my family. These were very somber thoughts.

 

Suddenly I heard a pounding at the door. The quiet was broken, and as our domestic Agnes (played by the talented Carrie) tried to answer, a flood of soldiers entered! They had heard we were southern sympathizers, and turned the house upside down looking for food and weapons. I tried to take a peek, but my Father (Mr. Giorlando) ordered me back to my room for my own safety. 

 

Eventually they clomped up the stairs and tried to badger me for hidden weapons. I gave them my coldest glare and spat "How dare you disturb my mourning!" I was very caught up in the moment. After all, how would I feel if the very army that killed my husband had barged into my home? It was with great care that I did not yell and scream at them to get out!

Apparently my Father had worried that I might say something untoward, and even mentioned that his daughter had a sharp tongue. In reality, he wasn't sure how I'd react to the intrusion. Honestly, it was most odd to experience the "raid" without actually seeing much. I could hear outrage in voices, soldiers plodding about, and furniture moving. 

Eventually I joined everyone downstairs and we continued our 1st person impressions. Mrs. Schubert, our laundress, paid a visit after "dropping" the starch near a pile of dead bodes. My dear Aunt Caroline (Mrs. Paladino) reminded us of our manners, and other neighbors stopped by!

We all sat in the parlor sewing/knitting/crocheting when I had a startling thought. I was staying in my 1st person impression without thinking about it! Our conversations were about our projects and upcoming gatherings. I gushed about my engagement just as I'm sure a girl would have done. Also, I found a beautiful framed wreath that I thought was hair, that turned out to be yarn. How pretty!

 We settled down to 2 meals in the house, both incredibly fresh and delicious. I purchased brie, sausage, and sea salted bread for the event, and the others brought a variety of tasty foods. My healthy potato salad was also a hit!

I was exhausted by the end of the day, and even took a bath in my new tub! Later at the event I received a phone call from my dear fiancee, and I decided to return home a bit early to spend time with him and his family. I enjoyed another night with my fellow reenactors, including a trip to the saloon to hear singing and watch cards! I left early in the morning, before the heat of summer.

Thanks Ken for the photo

Now I am still exhausted, trying to unpack everything while staying awake. I have so many things to finish for the Port Sanilac reenactment in 2 weeks. Dear reader, if you have an opportunity to attend, please do. We have excellent plans, and I will be there looking pretty (and modest).

~Kristen

Kristen: Waterloo Museum

As a reenactor, I've attended many events. From large events like Jackson to busy ones like Greenfield Village, I can always see the beauty in the company and the surroundings. Waterloo is no exception!

This is the first year I've been able to attend. It was an oppressive, cloudy 90 degree day, so I wore my black sheer. The dress is quickly becoming my favorite!

I had a chance to walk through the museum, which was a farmhouse for a German family from the 19th century until the 1960's when the last daughter died. The Waterloo community later donated most of the antiques found throughout the house.

           

The house was beautiful. The first time I walked around I was able to take pictures of just the house. Later, Ken and I took advantage of a few photographic opportunities. Nothing feels more authentic than an actual historical place!

Also, I found some hair jewelry in the house! It was a completely unexpected surprise. If only I could open the case and take a look...

                                 

After a long day of walking around and visiting friends, this bag caught my eye. A fellow reenactor made a traveling bag just like the one I will have soon! I also found a maple syrup stand, and purchased a little candy to chew on. Perfect!

Overall, it was a beautiful, wonderful day. It's these little events that make my summer fun!

~Kristen

Kristen: Greenfield Village Day 3

Sunday was the culmination of weeks of preparation and days of reenacting. I thought my mourning dress was such a hit, so I wore it again. It was Memorial Day and it seemed appropriate as the act was in memory of those in service, from all eras. I was not alone in my dress choices, and I must say that black is a becoming color.

Every year Greenfield Village holds a ceremony for the men and women of the armed forces, and I was given the honor of carrying the wreath! We had about 6 women in various stages of mourning, all to pay respect. It was beautiful.

Now I don't personally know anyone in service, though my Papa was a Marine back in the day. When the announcer asked servicemen and women to step forward, I was surprised to see so many reenactors and spectators to stand proudly front and center. Watching them made me proud, and I started to cry. Who knew I would actually cry behind the mourning veil?

 With all that happened this weekend, I realized that the reason it has been favorite so far is that my beau was able attend. He is my other half, the reason why reenactments without him feel only a little itsy bity empty. I am so happy he could experience everything with me.

Ken Giorlando, trickery with his camera again!

Well that about wraps up my amazing time at Greenfield Village. I froze in a tent, padded around on blistered feet, and in the end packed up my car in the pouring rain. Yet I am still looking forward to my next reenactment because deep down I don't mind the callouses and the dirt. This is more than a hobby, it's a lifestyle!

By the way, when is my next reenactment???

 ~Kristen

Kristen: Greenfield Village Day 2

On the second day we visited with my family and Dom's parents. I walked EVERYWHERE, the entire village and the museum. I chose two stops in particular that are supposedly "haunted" and on their Halloween tour. The Steinmetz cabin is tiny, and hardly worth notice. I've been told that the night security at Greenfield Village doesn't like checking this house because a tiny old man with a crooked back hobbles into the cabin when they get close. Steinmetz was a famous mathematician who also had dwarfism. Creepy coincidence? I don't think I caught any ghosties...

Next we checked out the Sarah Jordan boarding house. It was one of the first buildings ever to have electricity. It was used for unmarried employees who were working for Edison's laboratory, run by the widowed Sarah Jordan and her daughter Ida. Not very creepy, except for the fact that some employees of the village will see lights on at night...even though they had been turned off. Sounds ghostly to me!

There was also a special exhibit showing clothing from the Civil War and a little earlier. It's my favorite way to update my wardrobe; observe an original and voila! I also had the opportunity to meet Carolann Schmitt, one my reenacting idols. She even pulled out a piece of clothing for me to touch! (She runs the exhibit, after all!) One thing I've noticed is that they were much tinier back then. I would have been gigantic compared to these dainty ladies...

We had a chance to stop by the museum, and this is the first time I've seen the hair jewelry collection! They also added the chair that Lincoln was shot in, as well as George Washington's traveling bed. We got quite a few nice pictures of the two of us, and I must say that the black dress looks nice on me!

My black mourning outfit did not go unnoticed. I was asked to participate in the Greenfield Village fashion show! I've watched the past few years and have always wanted to participate. Beth Turza does not excellent job. I felt very accomplished indeed!

After a small nap, we found our way into the pie. We smuggled in some not-period-accurate whipped cream. It was absolutely scrumptious!

Finally, we prepared for the ball. By this point I was so exhausted and my hair was a hot mess. So I did the one thing that any self respecting female reenactor would do when she's two tired to do her hair...I asked Mrs. Giorlando to do it! It was excellent!

 

The ball itself was lovely, as usual. This year I did not have a ball gown because I focused on finishing the mourning dress. Dom was surprised by the elegance of the ballroom, and we did participate in the flower dance. Overall it was a lovely experience.

We finished the night sitting around the fire with our fellow reenactors. I'm not sure this is possible, but this year was already better than the previous! Perhaps Dom's attendance made a difference, though I did feel that I participated more.

Just wait until my next post! This Greenfield Village story just gets better and better...

~Kristen