Finished Horn

Here it is with a beaded horn strap and stand...

I entered it at Dixon's Gunmakers' Fair.  It didn't win any ribbons,but it got a lot of nice comments and constructive critiques from the judges.

 

Just About Done....

The horn is just about done; all I have to do now is put in a staple on the plug.

I didn't have a lathe available to turn a plug, so I went with a slightly domed plug.

The scrimshaw came out decently well. I'm a relative novice at scrimshaw, so I'm sure I made a number of mistakes, but on the whole, I'm fairly happy with the look.

I had a great acorn spout plug that my friend Gus Tabor made for me, but I wanted everything about this horn to be mine, so I filed myself a crown-shaped plug to echo the crown on the coat of arms.

Comments and honest critiques are welcome.  Let me know the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Easton Heritage Day 2016

On July 10, the Frontier Guard returned to Easton, PA, site of the 1758 treaty that established peace with the Lenape under Teedyuskung.  As usual, we had a large display, right in the center of Founder's Square.

Our junior members also set up a full display of children's toys and games. 

Liz also joined us, looking lovely, as usual.

There was a large crowd at the event, and many different reenacting groups, representing a broad spectrum of American history. Town criers read the Declaration of Independence- from 20 years after our time period- and there were crafters, historical tradesmen, and vendors galore.  It was a long day, but rewarding.

Easton Heritage Day July 10th

Come join us - and a large throng of other reenactors, crafters, and history-related displays and pageants, at Easton's Heritage Day Celebration on July 10, 2016:  http://heritageday.org/

This is a big event, and the weather is supposed to be near-perfect.  The festivities kick off around 10:00AM and run until evening, with a concert and fireworks.

While the event commemorates the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Easton in 1776, for the purposes of the Frontier Guard, Easton was significantly the site of the Treaty of Easton, 1758, which by and large brought peace between the Lenape and the British colonists in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  The original treaty is on display in the Sigal Museum, which will be open during Heritage Day.  Don't miss it.

Colonial PA Plantation F&I Skirmish 2016

Once again my children and I participated in the F&I skirmish at the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, a working 18th century farm located in Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County, PA, on the last Saturday in June.  Last year's skirmish had to be cancelled due to a storm, so it was a great deal of fun to be back, meet fellow reenactors, and interact with the public.
The setting is beautiful, with a substantial stone house, gardens, and outbuildings.

There was a larger contingent of Lenape warriors than in past years, and it was easy to see why these foes caused panic across the Pennsylvania and New Jersey frontiers.

The Regiment de la Rienne, our French adversaries (in white uniform), were fewer in number this year, but their elán was undiminished.

The skirmishes themselves - there were two that afternoon - were a lot of fun to put on.  The French and Lenape decisively won the first, sacking the homestead, carrying off the children as captives, and ambushing the colonials who attempted a rescue.  The second skirmish ended far better for the colonial militia, as we were able to prevent the attackers from seizing the farm or murdering the inhabitants.

There was a larger contingent of New Jersey troops there, including one from the Jersey Blues, Col. Peter Schuyler's ill-fated regiment.

Before the event, we took some photos at the house where I grew up, a Swedish-style mill house built originally between 1720 and 1730, with numerous additions and renovations over the years.

All in all, it was a great event, one we hope to repeat in future years.  The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation runs a large number of eighteenth century events on weekends through the spring, summer, and fall.  Pay them a visit if you're in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Fourth of July in Blairstown

Even though the Frontier Guard represents an era in which English colonists were loyal to His Majesty George II - approximately twenty years before the Declaration of Independence - the Frontier Guard will be taking bg part in the Fourth of July festivities in Blairstown, NJ.  Come see us at Footbridge Park, close to Route 94, starting at 10:30 AM.  For more details, see the event website at www.blairstownfourth.org