• John Hunter, author of Red Thunder, Colonial Williamsburg's latest historical novel for young readers will be here both days signing copies of his book.

• J.L. Treharn and Sons - maker's of Exquisite Tiger Maple Furniture

• Cary Brant, Blacksmithing Demonstrations

9:00  

Tess Rosch, Early American Life

     Tess is going to take you on a culinary journey through Colonial Williamsburg. Explore the food and the customs of Virginia and the surrounding low country. Learn what food (and drink!) were to be found, how it was prepared, and why it was served.
     Since 1970 Early American Life has been the source for information on early American style, decorating, and traditions. In addition, we cover both antiques and reproductions made by crafters working in period styles with traditional tools. We do it with our own style—we aim to entertain as well as educate. We're not a stodgy academic magazine but a vibrant, exciting look (we put color pictures on nearly every page) at our traditions and heritage. Among the facts on our pages, you're apt to find smiles, occasionally a chuckle, and solid information that has given us the reputation as the essential magazine about early Americana.
     The first editor of Early American Life tried to define the magazine by writing, "Let’s just say that we use the term 'Early American' because it is used by the majority of people to mean style of furnishing that is traditional, comfortable, warm and secure. Our articles on arts and crafts will span several centuries—from hand-carved wooden spoons to canning—log huts to plastic replicas.” We've tried to hold true to that philosophy over the years, amending it only to sidestep the plastic parts. We've found our readers prefer traditional materials and we stick to them. It's our heritage, and we aim to preserve it.

The 8th Pennsylvania Regiment

     The 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, which encamps at Pine Tree for the weekend, offers historical and educational living history presentations.  They set up their tents on Pine Tree "common" and cook, sleep and work as the orginal unit would have over 200 years ago.  The recreated 8th Pennsylvania was formed in 1974 and is a member unit of The Brigade of the American Revolution. The unit has performed throughout the Midwest, Eastern and Southern United States, Canada, and England. The members portray the unit as it appeared in the Fall of 1779. Tile unit owns its own tentage and camp equipment, and supplies cartridges to its members for all unit sanctioned events. Authenticity is stressed, as is constant research. The 8th Pennsylvania welcomes new recruits that are anxious to accurately portray soldiers, musicians and distaff of the American Revolution.
      The original 8th Pennsylvania Regiment was formed in July 1776 of men from Westmoreland and Bedford counties in western Pennsylvania. They marched from Hannastown, Pa., to New Jersey in the winter of 1776-77, and the following campaign season took part in a number of battles, including Paoli, Brandywine, White Marsh, Boundbrook, and Germantown as part of Gen. Anthony Wayne's division. During this period 135 men and officers were detached to Daniel Morgan and participated in the Saratoga campaign as part of his rifle corps.
      After wintering at Valley Forge the regiment was assigned to the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt. In the Western Department, the unit helped construct and garrison Fort McIntosh on the Beaver River, and Fort Laurens on the Tuscarawas. They took part in campaigns against the Indian towns in northwest Pennsylvania in concert with the Sullivan/Clinton campaign, and again against the hostile Indians in southeast Ohio. They also helped garrison Fort Pitt, Fort Henry, and a number of smaller posts.

Following the reduction of the Pennsylvania Line in the winter of 1780-81 the unit was redesignated "the detachment of the Pennsylvania Line", and consisted of two companies. It remained in the Western Department till the end of the war.
Bob Cairns, Commander

Cindy Cragg: Colonial Williamsburg Stylist

Home stylist for the WILLIAMSBURG brand mixes
America’s past with her own to create an unforgettable look

      Family traditions, entertaining and American style. Cindy Cragg not only embraces these values—she was raised on them. As WILLIAMSBURG home stylist, Cindy looks to her childhood and current life in the Williamsburg, Virginia, community as inspiration for her distinctive displays. These experiences are coupled with simple objects from around her farm or fresh finds at her local grocer, and a new idea is born. Cindy has become a hit with home enthusiasts, demonstrating her creations at WILLIAMSBURG stores. The displays range from holiday window decorations to garden tablescapes, and she also shares tips on accessorizing a room, preparing your home for a new season, and incorporating traditional furnishings into modern décor.  She demystifies decorating, and demonstrates fun, easy and elegant decorations that anyone can do!
     During the 11:00 talk, Cindy will use the quisessential Colonial Willimiamsburg Iron Centerpiece form to to do both traditional, and fresh takes on traditional, centerpieces. At 3:00, Cindy will show us how to pull an entire table-scape toghether.
     Cindy will share some history on Christiana Campbells Tavern, and how to use tavern dishes to create different looks for all ocassions. She'll share some of her favorite shrub recipes, show festive ways to use the traditional shrub glass, and ways to incorporate Willliamsburg Style and Hospitality into our every-day dining experience - wether it's Coccia House take-out or Thanksgiving Dinner prepared on your own hearth.

"DR. BALTHASAR'S MARVELOUS MIRACLE MEDICINE SHOW"

    "Dr. Balthasar" is a character based on research conducted on the medicine shows performed in America from the late 1700’a to the 1800’s.  The medicine show is performed by Interpretive Specialist Michael Follin, at the Ohio Village in Columbus, Ohio and throughout the United States, in order to provide education and information about the life and times of everyday citizens in the early years of our country.
   The character "Dr. Balthasar" was named after the fictitious "Dr. Balthasar Beckar," who was created by the editor of the Portsmouth Journal, in New Hampshire in the 1820's.  The article, intended to portray the absurdity of traveling medicine men appeared in the Journal in December of 1820 and found its way to the Cincinnati paper the following January.  The medicine was said to cure everything.  Unfortunately, no one questioned it and the article failed miserably.
   During Mr. Follin's 20-30 minute show, he attempts to sell a "magical miracle medicine that cures everything from a common cold to death of two weeks' standing."  Material for the improvisational script is taken from documented literature on 19th century medicine shows.  Ailments and afflictions such as consumption, baldness, the "summer complaint," dropsy, drunkenness and extreme nervousness were just a few of the maladies that magical potions would supposedly cure. The interactive performance is preceded by a short lecture and a question and answer session.  The session informs and helps the audience to put into context the time period of the show.  It also provides profile of the medicine showman, the life and times of the people, and the ailments mentioned during the performance.
   Mike has a master's degree in American history research and performance from The Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in speech and theater from Capital University.  A native of Chesterville, Ohio, he entertains regularly at the Ohio Village and by request at various functions in and out of state.  Mike has performed the show in England, Ireland and Japan, and also performs regularly with the Ohio Village Singers.

John Hunter, author of Red Thunder, Colonial Williamsburg's latest historical novel for young readers will be here both days signing copies of his book.

   Young readers can experience the excitement of the world of espionage in Colonial Williamsburg’s newly published “Red Thunder,” a historical novel by John P. Hunter. The novel follows the adventures of 14-year-old Nate Chandler and his enslaved friend James, as they went about the dangerous business of espionage which helped defeat the British Army and win the American Revolution.   
    Inspired by the true story of James Armistead, a slave who belonged to William Armistead of New Kent County, Va., who enlisted with the Continental forces under General Lafayette, “Red Thunder” brings the Revolution to life for young readers.  Nate, James and Nate’s huge dog Rex move between the opposing armies amid thundering cannons and flashing swords under a sky red with flame.
    The Reading Tub, an online children’s book reviewer, calls the book “…a page turner of the first order… presents political and social realties of the time objectively and fairly.”  The book is aimed at readers between eight and 14 and has been praised for its storytelling and its history by teachers who have reviewed the book for Colonial Williamsburg.   
     Author John P. Hunter lives in Yorktown, the location for the novel, and is the author of “Link to the Past, Bridge to the Future,” also published by Colonial Williamsburg.

Paperback, 240 pages, 1 map. $6.95

Reserve your copy early! Call Ginger or Trese at Pine Tree Barn - 330.264.1014

     My name is Roger Moore. I am a person of mixed blood. My mother is white and of European decent. My father is of Native American decent. The tribe that my father's people are from were referred to as Melungeon (Mel-un-Juhn). This was part of a much larger group of Indians east of the Mississippi River called Eastern Woodland Indians. The word "Melungeon" is of French origin meaning "mixed". The Melungeon people of that time were a mixture of Native Americans, some whites, and some runaway slaves. The first reference in history about the Melungeon people came in the early 1700's when the first white land prospectors pushed west into what is now southwest Virginia. They found steep mountains and narrow winding valleys. They found Cherokee Indians and further west the Chicamauga and Chickasaw tribes. And clustered in the river valleys they found the Melungeons.
     In the mid 1700's, for reasons that are lost to history, the Melungeon people split apart. The biggest part moved into what is now Newman's Ridge, Tennessee. The other fragment of Melungeon people moved into Pennsylvania and then into the Ohio country around the time of the American Revolution. They intermarried with various tribes that lived in Ohio at the time (Miami, Shawnee, Delaware, Mingo). In 1842 the United States Government made it illegal for anyone with Indian heritage to live in the State of Ohio. The government provided land in the form of reservations for the Indians to live on in Kansas and Oklahoma. A great number of Indians remained in the state after the 1842 removal. They set up small communities on the ridges overlooking the Ohio River. One of these communities was called Carmel. Carmel was a small settlement in Meigs County. It was never plotted as a town. Here this mixture of Indians known as Melungeons stayed largely to themselves for almost 70 years. Isolated by their racial differences as well as their lack of formal education, this community of Carmel is where two generations of my father's people are from.
     When talking to the public about my heritage, I try to explain the truth about Eastern Woodland Indians...how we lived...how we dressed...and what food and crops we grew. But most of all I try to dispel some of the myths that have been created by Hollywood about American Indians.