Norfolk Towne Assembly

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Here is where we publish articles about the social, political and military history of American society during the Colonial and Early Republic Eras. Where we feel it is needed, we also examine the origins of the subject. From time to time, we will also publish articles regarding Living History interpretative skills.

Please let us know in the comments if you enjoy our posts.

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Outdoor Entertainments – Quoits, The Sport of a Virginia Gentleman.

May 6
11 min

Societal/Cultural History

Outdoor Entertainments – Quoits, The Sport of a Virginia Gentleman.

As a child growing up in the Ohio River Valley, I remember being given a game of “quoits” to play with out in the yard. It consisted of...

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America’s Unplanned Expansion – The Louisiana Purchase

Mar 25
12 min

Societal/Cultural History

America’s Unplanned Expansion – The Louisiana Purchase

In 1803 the United States unexpectedly added the largest increase in land area in its history. How did this come about? Why was the...

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A Revolution in Travel – early steamboat travel in the James River and the Chesapeake Bay

Mar 11
12 min

Societal/Cultural History

A Revolution in Travel – early steamboat travel in the James River and the Chesapeake Bay

For the first 180 years of the English colonies in North America, most people traveled by foot, horse, canoe, or wagon/carriage. Along...

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Every Gentleman's Duty - Toasting in the 18th and Early 19th Century

Feb 11
13 min

Societal/Cultural History

Every Gentleman's Duty - Toasting in the 18th and Early 19th Century

“A Toast or Sentiment very frequently excites good humor, and revives languid conversation; often does it, when properly applied, cool...

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The Most Popular Beverage in Early America

Jan 28
10 min

Societal/Cultural History

The Most Popular Beverage in Early America

Throughout the late summer, fall, and early winter, apple cider (also known as cyder in the past) is everywhere. It is a mainstay of...

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Wine in Early-19th Century America

Dec 30, 2021
9 min

Societal/Cultural History

Wine in Early-19th Century America

New Year’s Eve is upon us. Although it is a time usually associated with champagne and other sparkling wines, we thought we would take...

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Christmas Carols in the Early 19th Century

Dec 17, 2021
11 min

Societal/Cultural History

Christmas Carols in the Early 19th Century

Due to our video-centered culture today, almost any adult, and many children, are familiar with the scene from Charles Dickens’ “A...

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Personal Honor and Dueling in the Early United States

Dec 3, 2021
21 min

Societal/Cultural History

Personal Honor and Dueling in the Early United States

Introduction Early on the morning of July 11, 1804, Alexander Hamilton boarded a boat with his Second and a physician and set sail from...

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An Evening Out: Etiquette for the Street, House Parties, and the Dining Room

Nov 19, 2021
13 min

Societal/Cultural History

An Evening Out: Etiquette for the Street, House Parties, and the Dining Room

As we pointed out when we began this series, Regency/Federal Era period etiquette is an extremely broad subject, and we cannot cover...

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The Formal Visit and the Calling Card

Nov 5, 2021
9 min

Societal/Cultural History

The Formal Visit and the Calling Card

In our last posting, we talked about the Etiquette of the Ballroom in late-18th and early-19th century America and how it was both...

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Federal Era Ballroom Etiquette – It isn’t all that clear cut.

Oct 21, 2021
20 min

Societal/Cultural History

Federal Era Ballroom Etiquette – It isn’t all that clear cut.

Our friends at the Regency Society of Virginia are having their annual Trafalgar Victory Ball this coming Saturday October 23, 2021, and...

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Jefferson’s Embargo Act and the Depression of 1807-11

Jun 4, 2021
19 min

Political History

Jefferson’s Embargo Act and the Depression of 1807-11

Intro For the past couple of posts, we have been discussing issues met by our nation as we tried to expand westward over the Appalachian...

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Identity for a New Nation: Federal Era Architecture and Design

Apr 23, 2021
10 min

Societal/Cultural History

Identity for a New Nation: Federal Era Architecture and Design

When the United States first broke away from Britain and established its independence as a nation we had no “national identity.” National...

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"To Remake Society in God's Name": The Second Great Awakening and Its Effect on America

Apr 9, 2021
17 min

Societal/Cultural History

"To Remake Society in God's Name": The Second Great Awakening and Its Effect on America

Today, one of the great “wedge issues” in the culture wars is religion and its place in American society and our government. On one...

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Building the Republic: National Banking and Finance

Mar 26, 2021
19 min

Societal/Cultural History

Building the Republic: National Banking and Finance

Today, most of us give little thought to banks. If we want to deposit our paycheck, get cash, a mortgage loan, a consumer loan, or...

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Lotteries as Public Finance

Mar 13, 2021
13 min

Societal/Cultural History

Lotteries as Public Finance

These days, when we want to fund building a public project such as roads, bridges, schools, etc., governments usually to look to issuing...

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Dolley Madison: The Nation's "First" Lady.

Feb 27, 2021
20 min

Societal/Cultural History

Dolley Madison: The Nation's "First" Lady.

Monday marks the beginning of Women’s History Month 2021. The focus of this blog is always history, and so, we do not usually theme our...

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EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA DURING THE COLONIAL ERA AND THE EARLY REPUBLIC

Jan 18, 2021
15 min

Political History

EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA DURING THE COLONIAL ERA AND THE EARLY REPUBLIC

Throughout 2020 and into the new year, our ideas of what education should look like here in Virginia have been challenged by the effects...

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Let Us Share a Bowl Together – Punch, the Forerunner of the Modern Cocktail

Jan 4, 2021
17 min

Societal/Cultural History

Let Us Share a Bowl Together – Punch, the Forerunner of the Modern Cocktail

“A merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier...

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A Holiday Horror Story: The Richmond Theatre Fire of 1811

Dec 21, 2020
20 min

Societal/Cultural History

A Holiday Horror Story: The Richmond Theatre Fire of 1811

2020 has been very “different” compared to most other years and so, our Christmas post this year is going to be “different” as well. The...

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