On Wednesday afternoon the kids and I drove down to CW on a cold and dreary rainy day to be in place as extras for the Electronic Field Trip, Colonial Idol, the next day.
Cold and rainy weather drove us to the museum to see the maps!
MAPS
Touring the DeWitt Wallace Museum’s exhibit on cartography, we looked at lots of maps relevant to our 17th century studies, a Lafayette map, the Bodleian Plate, and the Frenchmaker’s Map. (read more at the previous link)
COLONIAL IDOL
The next morning, we walked to the Visitor Center’s East theater to act as extras for a new EFT, Colonial Idol. (read more at the previous link)
When we were released at 4pm, we discovered a stunningly gorgeous day, perfect for walking through the historic area in costume and taking pictures.
Alas, the historic area was about to close, so we went to the museum to finish touring the map display, since tomorrow would be a full day of sunshine and pictures.
As we walked towards the museum, we saw horses standing by the fence in the pasture across the road, longingly looking at us.
Awwwww. We went over to pet them for a while.
18TH CENTURY BLACK GOWN WITH FIESTA COLORED FLY FRINGE
At the museum I discovered a gorgeous 18th century black silk English-back gown adorned with colorful fly fringe!
It reminded me of a San Antonio fiesta!
Although I’d love to recreate this gown, I realize it would be quite ambitious.
But I already know how to embroider and drape an English back gown.
And I learned how to make fly fringe in a Costume Design Center class.
So, if I take my time…
Over the intercom we heard that the museum was about to close.
When we went outside, the sun hadn’t yet set.
Since the evening was warm and perfectly lovely, we walked over to the horses beckoning us for more attention.
Then we walked through the historic area, enjoying one last evening to enjoy the lit candles in each of the windows.
FRIGID WINDY DAY BLEW US ABOUT TOWN
Friday morning blew in frigidly fast and furious.
Freezing cold 30mph gusty winds put my new cloak and muff to the test, as we blew into the historic area.
We had to bend our heads into the wind to forge our way through, closing our eyes against mini-dust storms.
Freezing breezy days like this are perfect for stopping in at trade shops, especially the ones with fireplaces like the silversmith and shoemaker.
Despite the lack of a fireplace, I wanted to stop by the milliner to do a bit of research.
I felt like I literally blew in to the milliner shop where we were the only guests, so we had a private session to look at 18th century caps with the milliner.
Seeing the British flag posted at the Mary Stith house, we noticed one of the interpreters tightly wrapped in his cloak, bracing himself against the wind.
ACTORS TRUNK
We decided it was time to blow over there to a program called the Actor’s Trunk.
This program is hosted by the Playbooth Theater Players who were happy to answer any questions about theater, and who had a few props out in the front of the room.
When my son asked about the location of the 18th century theater building in the historic area, we somehow transitioned into an interesting conversation on currency and counterfeiting!
We learned about 18th century actors who used currency, the types they used, when and where, even in Jamaica, and during the war.
We learned about 18th century printing methods to try to prevent counterfeiting, a process Ben Franklin designed.
MUSIC
After stepping outside the wind blew us to the Raleigh Tavern for a program with three musicians who played the violin, viola de gamba, and piano forte!
After a wonderful program, Peter Pelham mentioned our proper attire, then exclaimed: She even has a muff! I’m impressed! 😉
It helps to keep me warm on these blustery days!
This time the wind blew us to the museum for a warm lunch.
After lunch the kids wanted to finish looking at the maps.
Before they finished, it was time to leave for the Mary Stith House in time to see Patrick Henry!
The town was empty that day, so I knew we’d get a good seat.
PATRICK HENRY
Unfortunately, we blew two minutes late while Patrick Henry was eloquently discoursing on revolutionary matters.
Since every single seat but one was taken, I decided to merely squeeze against the wall due to my voluminous 18th century skirts.
Patrick Henry paused his program to invite my daughter and me to take the seats in the very front next to him!
Oh my! As we approached the front of the room, he complimented our fine attire.
Then he offered my son the last available seat in the front, on the other side of him, so my son took that.
I was surprised by his tough audience who repeatedly tried to trip him up with various questions.
With his renown use of rhetoric and gracious patience, he swayed the audience to an understanding of his heart, concerns, and accuracy when they brought up 21st century events to which he stated, “I told you so!” then he’d relate a similar 18th century event so that his critics learned that truly history repeats itself.
DAVID GARRICK
After a wonderful program with Patrick Henry, we blew in to the Raleigh Tavern to watch the Playbooth Theater and musicians.
We saw a Shakespeare piece, Romeo and Juliet, with a rewritten ending by David Garrick.
That ending was so funny that it didn’t feel tragic.
There was also music.
CHICKENS
Finally, the kids and I went outdoors to brace ourselves, to see where we’d blow to next.
We blew down Duke of Gloucester Street where many of the actor/interpreters were.
As I was talking to some of them, the proprietress of the Mary Dickenson Store called me in to see her latest offerings. She is now selling muffs!
As much as I enjoyed keeping warm in the Mary Dickenson store, this chicken drew me out.
My only pictures of the day are of this crazy chicken!
There was another chicken in the basket.
Everyone was saying she was trying to get indoors. I don’t blame her.
WINDS OF WAR
Finally, it was time to blow back in to the Raleigh Tavern for another program with the Playbooth Theater, this one was called Words of War.
We were given copies of a Liberty Song so we could all sing together. Then the war began!
We watched a duel of words between a gentleman and a lady which had the crowd taking sides, men against ladies, yelling “huzzahs!” when one side had an edge over the other.
Vocal interaction with “boos” and “Huzzahs” was characteristic of 18th century crowds.
Finally, it was time to blow to the north country that we call home.
We never took costume pictures, since it was impossible in that crazy wind with dust blowing everywhere.
At least my cloak and muff kept me quite warm.
The only parts of me that were cold were the parts that weren’t covered.
As a result, I totally want to make a riding habit for cold winter days.
I’ve seen a lady from the stables with a pink one that I like a lot, but I don’t see any appropriate fabric like that for sale anywhere.
Overall, I was much warmer than I expected, and much warmer than I ever am in modern clothes.
