Who you portray

[heatherhistorian]

Sounds very interesting.  Let me know if you need some help researching.  That is my 'thing.'  I love to dig up new info. :)  Didnt really know the Spanish were involved much in St. Louis.  You taught me something new.  Thanks! 

[Ranger]

I have one basic character, but in 2 time eras. I know, confusing, but not that bad. I portray a Colonial Ranger in service to the king for the F&I period, and I also portray a  Rev war era scout. It's basically the same character, just have to switch the facts depending on what event I am at. The group I belong to, The Half Moon Rangers, is a group not just dedicated to English type rangers, but to the whole F&I thru 1812 era. We have just about everything in our group from French Marines (jsemko) to English Rangers to early fur trappers.

[heatherhistorian]

Well, I can see where it would be an adaptable character.  Makes sense to me.  Besides, a large portion of men who served for Britain in the French and Indian War became officers for the Americans in the Revolution.  Of course, you know that, but just sayin....:)  How many people are in your group?  Sounds like alot of fun. Too bad we are so far away from you.  I think it would be neat to watch you all or even to participate in some of your events. 

[Sinnanatha]

Born and raised in Wyandotte, Mi., which is what the English called the Wendot.  what the French called 'Huron'.  Got a lot of local native history thru school, so when I started shooting BP, I fell back on that part of local history. Mostly around F&I War.  Have since moved to mid-south Mi. (Albion), but kept the persona.  After a full career teaching elementary physical education and coaching track/xc running, I'm still trying to present local history from the side of the natives.  I have made/purchased most of my kit over the years.  Buckskin leggins; center-seam mocs; buckskin and raw silk shirts; flint smoothie and rifle; refurbished a canvas/wood canoe to look as a birch would have; use a canvas tarp as a shelter, sometimes over the canoe and sometimes with stick poles; many smaller handcrafted items.  I am a part of an outfit called Project Lakewell, that presents early Great Lakes History for school and camp and other groups locally thru the state.  Several natives, a voyageur, jesuit priest, traders who get together for our presentation.  Its tremendously rewarding to present our early history to youngsters, because, as a former teacher, I know that they are not getting the correct history in schools.  Or at least not the complete story.  They are so excited to be able to see, touch, and talk to a '300 year old' person.  Megwetch, Sinnanatha.   PS  We (Project Lakewell) got the chance to paddle our 26 foot replica Canoe in the 'Grand River Expedition-2010.  It was an awsome experience.  Starting in Saranac, we made our way all the rest of the route to Lake Michigan.  Each day we paddled, stopping at various towns along the route, and sharing our experience with the locals.  About 300 different (canoes, kayaks) total for the entire trip.  Major experience!!  Megwetch, Sinnanatha 

[heatherhistorian]

That is wonderful!  I work at a museum so I often have to make presentations to school kids.  And, we have an annual encampment here and show the kids how to flintknap, how to set traps, how to bead, how to start a fire using friction and they get to thow a hawk.  It is fun to see how excited kids can get about history.  I think if it is made fun for them, then they "get it." 

Sounds like you have a wonderful story to tell.  It is great that you have  a group of you who can get together and demonstrate.  Keep up the good work and thanks for replying to my post! :)

[gonzales]

All post are very interesting. Our country has such a diverse history, it never ceases to amaze me.

Heather, the Spanish controlled Louisianna including Saint Louis for about 36 years. Lots of cool history allthough a lot of it is hard to research. Lots of the papers and letters of the administration are not readily available on the internet. There are some limited sources for study though.

And once again, thanks to all for posting.

[heatherhistorian]

Oh, Duh!  I knew that.  Where was my brain?!  Sorry.  Thanks again.

[old salt]

   My love of history is one of the reasons I agreed to help Heather set up the Mountain Man Encampment at the museum.
   A couple of friends and I use to go down and show off out muzzleloaders tell some stories and set up a hawk block to teach the public how to throw a tomahawks
   Heather kept wanting us to set up a camp and I kept telling her not for one day even. Then one day while I at the museum she ask me if I would help do a weekend encampment?
   Well I thought about it for a couple of days and told yes, if she could abide with a few rules. She thought bout is for about 2 sec. and the rest is history.
   We have been at it coming up on 5 yrs. And have had a good turn out every yr. including one yr that we had almost swim form tent to tent

[heatherhistorian]

Yeah.  What does an old salt do when the water is fresh?! He wades through the water and sleeps in the museum. haha!  Says its the first time he had to abandon tent!:)

[pathfinder]

We had that issue a number of years ago when the Ypsilanti Heritage festival was young. Seems the guy who controlled the sleuth in the dam fell asleep and nearly drowned all of us down river from him! Stopped doing it when the plastic t-pee crowd was given priority over us.Too bad,really liked that event. Lots of stories that still have me laughing.

[Lady of the Woods]

I haven't worked out a true persona, I'm trying several out.
1. Longhunter
2. Kentucky Vermin Girl
3. Rev War Lady
4. Pirate

Each appeals to a different aspect of my personal interests, hunting, trekking, being a lady. hard to find one role that fits all. I'm trying to figure out which one will be the "one"
Z

[halfstock]

Zan: Actually your name on this board would encompass all except maybe the pirate.

Halfstock

[heatherhistorian]

Thank you for contributing.  Glad to see another woman on here. :)  I think you sound like you have a great time at your characters.  Who is to say you can't do them all.  Just adjust your persona to where you are at.

[Captain Midnight]

Most often I portray an 18th century pirate captain (sometimes privateer) prowling the Georgia/Carolina/Florida coasts, and sometimes also a F&I War militiaman or ranger.

[heatherhistorian]

Loved the pirate/privateer costume.  Do you have photos of the F&I War militiaman?