Feast of the Hunter's Moon

We launched our history study this year with a wonderful field trip. Here Matthew and Haley are dressed in the colonial style.

Matthew represents a minute man. Please note that he doesn't have his knives, hatchet or skins in this picture. We didn't want to take them to this public event. (Oh where, oh where can we get a muzzle loading long rifle. . . . ha.)


Haley's dress is absolutely stunning. She didn't just follow a pattern. She studied books on fashion history, looked at paintings of Americans from this time period and copied the beautiful hand work and techniques they used!



We trekked south to Indiana with the Barnards. Here the kids are ready for the day! Abby too made her dress! She did a wonderful job.

You just can't get the full impact of this event if you're not dressed for it. Walking around with them made it so much more fun. People actually stopped the kids and asked them questions. "smile"

Feast of the Hunter's Moon

Fort Ouiatenon was the first fortified European settlement in what is now Indiana. It was established by the French in 1717 . (Could you have guessed that from the spelling of it's name??)

This is a replica of the blockhouse where we gathered for the opening ceremonies.


Anna is wearing a dress that Haley wore when we last studied this time period.

Over 7000 reenactors make this event come to life. There is an opening ceremony where many of them or their groups come marching to the blockhouse yard.


Most groups had musicians as well as soldiers. Above you see flags that name who they represent and where they are from.



Loved these bagpipers!


Indians met and traded at the fort. Their loyalties generally remained with the French.




A side note. It was interesting to me to see the worldview of the reenactors blatantly coming through in what they displayed and shared about history. One lady said that people didn't first come for religious freedom, but for gold. hum Wonder who taught her history??? She also emphasized some negative and immoral behaviors. We've had some very interesting discussions at home after attending.

Gathering to watch the canoe race.



The sights, sounds, smells and tastes surrounded us. Here the kids are standing in the smokey air. Fires were burning throughout the camp for cooking and warmth.

Boy these things are loud!

Gretchen this picture is a greeting for you! Ray on the right used to play in the Zion Chamber Orchestra with Gretchen. He's been a reenactor for many years. Ray says hello. (I got to show he and his wife pictures of Gretchen, Kyle and Alaina. Of course I had them with me!! "wink")

Take a look at this instrument. It's called the Serpent and was in vogue during the 1700s. It is played like a woodwind by covering holes rather than with valves, but has the mouthpiece of a brass instrument. That mouthpiece was wooden though!

Here they are as General Webb's band. Bob Mason, one of our relatives, is playing the french horn on the far left. It was so good to see him. By the way their coats were the same colors as the regiment that they were assigned to ---- except opposite. That means that the soldiers connected with these musicians had red coats and yellow lapels. Ya learn somethin' new every day!

Matthew's been honing his axe throwing skills ever since we got home. Ahhhh what a way to study!!!