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

Working on a horn

The time has come - finally - to finish a horn that I've been working on intermittently for a few years. I've decided this one will be a traditionally-styled horn, featuring the British Coat of Arms that was fairly common on colonial horns of the French & Indian War period. I have yet to put in the plug; my friend Bob Albrecht - a true artist who edits the Horners' Guild publication - is helping me with that, but I decided to sketch in the outlines. Let me know what you think...

Another Great NJ State History Fair

May 14 was the NJ State History Fair at Monmouth Battlefield.  We had a great time once again, demonstrating weapons and equipment of the Frontier Guard to a steady stream of visitors. 

The threat of rain showers may have kept some visitors (and perhaps a few exhibitors) from showing up, but the rain held off all day, and we had good crowds coming to see our setup.  

The whole family came along, and the junior members showed colonial toys and games, as they often do at events. 

Liz came along and looked lovely, as usual.  For the first time my mother-in-law, Elizabeth, came in eighteenth century garb.  She looked great as well; no wonder, as she has sewn much of the family's clothing, including most of what we were wearing that day.

We even took the tent down at the end of the day just in time before the heavens opened up.

One more photo: the car loaded up, ready to go.  While Capt. Pitchell has the heavy load - he has a trailer for the pavilion and display tables, not to mention all the items he brings to exhibit - there is still an impressive amount of equipment that goes into putting on our part of the display.

Four Days until the New Jersey State History Fair @ Monmouth Battlefield

We will set up a display in the 17th-18th Century area.  Please stop by and say hello!  Throughout the day, we plan to exhibit many of the items used by colonial soldiers of the NJ Frontier Guard in 1756, their Lenape foes, and items associated with the lives of soldiers' families and those they strove to protect.

For more information on the Fair, on exhibitors, and a schedule of events, click:  New Jersey State History Fair 2016.

As of this writing, the weather is supposed to be partly sunny, with a slight chance of afternoon showers, and temperatures in the upper 60s or lower 70s.  All in all, not a bad day to visit; stop by and say hello!

A Few Pictures from Hoff-Vannatta

While it rained in the morning, when the sun came out, so did the visitors.