Norfolk Towne Assembly

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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George Washington’s 1791 Southern Tour – Part 1: The Journey South

Nov 20, 2020
11 min

Political History

George Washington’s 1791 Southern Tour – Part 1: The Journey South

When he became President, George Washington wanted to learn as much as he could about the United States and its people. As president,...

1804 - Mass Destruction and a "Snow Hurricane"

Nov 6, 2020
13 min

Societal History

1804 - Mass Destruction and a "Snow Hurricane"

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane, now winding down, has arguably been one of the most active ever. With this in mind, I thought it might be...

The Unconquered Lord of the Card Room: Whist-its history and play

Oct 23, 2020
9 min

Societal History

The Unconquered Lord of the Card Room: Whist-its history and play

In life, as in whist, hope nothing from the way cards may be dealt to you. Play the cards, whatever they be, to the best of your skill....

America's First Political Factions - Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Oct 9, 2020
12 min

Political History

America's First Political Factions - Federalists and Anti-Federalists

As we approach the November 2020 Presidential election, US voters find themselves sharply divided between the two candidates in a way I...

All the World's a Stage: Theatre in Colonial and Early America

Sep 25, 2020
15 min

Societal History

All the World's a Stage: Theatre in Colonial and Early America

Publisher’s Note: I originally authored this article in 2015 for another blog that I was writing for at the time. I have since rewritten...

“There we were entertained with scenes romantic and delightful beyond the power of description"

Sep 11, 2020
17 min

Societal History

“There we were entertained with scenes romantic and delightful beyond the power of description"

The Amusement Parks of Early America; Pleasure Gardens in America and their roots in England Before we begin our discussion of Pleasure...

“We have made trial of our owne English seedes, kitchen hearbes, and rootes”:

Aug 15, 2020
12 min

Societal History

“We have made trial of our owne English seedes, kitchen hearbes, and rootes”:

KITCHEN GARDENS IN COLONIAL AMERICA AND THE EARLY REPUBLIC This year, with shortages caused at least in part by the COVID-19 Pandemic,...

Horse Racing in Colonial America and the Early Republic

Aug 1, 2020
17 min

Societal History

Horse Racing in Colonial America and the Early Republic

I was born and raised in the Louisville, Kentucky area and, even though I left the area when I was about 17, I think there are still...

I’ll Be at My Club – Gentlemen’s Clubs in Georgian England and America

Jul 16, 2020
15 min

Societal History

I’ll Be at My Club – Gentlemen’s Clubs in Georgian England and America

The most natural privilege of man, next to the right of acting for himself, is that of combining his [energy, ideas and dreams] with...

The Tropical Import That "Plagued" Early America

Jul 2, 2020
16 min

Societal History

The Tropical Import That "Plagued" Early America

For the last several months we have all been living in the shadow of the COVID-19 virus. For those of us with the Norfolk Towne Assembly...

Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, and the Insurrection Act of 1807

Jun 5, 2020
10 min

Political History

Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, and the Insurrection Act of 1807

The Insurrection Act of 1807 has been in the news quite a bit this past week with lots of people talking about what it is and whether it...

Volcanoes, Weather, Food Shortages and Westward Migration

May 21, 2020
11 min

Societal History

Volcanoes, Weather, Food Shortages and Westward Migration

“We have had the most extraordinary year of drought and cold ever known in the history of America. In June, instead of 3 ¾ inches, our...

Agrarianism, Jefferson, and Westward Expansion

May 9, 2020
14 min

Societal History

Agrarianism, Jefferson, and Westward Expansion

In Thomas Jefferson’s book, "Notes on the State of Virginia", he argued for a United States founded on an agrarian ideology. But just...

Recreational Fishing in England and America – Part 2 - Equipment

Apr 23, 2020
10 min

Societal History

Recreational Fishing in England and America – Part 2 - Equipment

In our last post, we took a brief look at the history of recreational fishing, with a focus on England, Colonial America, and the Early...

Recreational Fishing in England and America - Part 1

Apr 9, 2020
13 min

Societal History

Recreational Fishing in England and America - Part 1

Spring is arriving here in Virginia. The sun is coming out, the weather is beginning to warm, and we are all feeling the urge to get out...

English Country Dance and it's History in America

Mar 26, 2020
11 min

Societal History

English Country Dance and it's History in America

Last time we talked about the Importance of Social Dance in Early America. This post we will take a quick look at the origins of English...

Importance of Social Dance in 18th and Early 19th Century America

Mar 13, 2020
8 min

Societal History

Importance of Social Dance in 18th and Early 19th Century America

In the Early Republic, balls were the venues where people went to network, develop develop business connections, and meet future wives

Testing the New Federal Government: The Whiskey Rebellion

Feb 28, 2020
9 min

Political History

Testing the New Federal Government: The Whiskey Rebellion

The early US central government, under the Continental Congress and later under the Articles of Confederation had been unable to levy...

Canals – A Tool for Economic Growth in the Early Republic

Feb 14, 2020
16 min

Societal History

Canals – A Tool for Economic Growth in the Early Republic

Washington agreed with Virginia Governor Patrick Henry that canals were the easiest answer for an efficient means of inland transportation.

Art in America’s Colonial and Early National Period 1776-1830

Jan 31, 2020
8 min

Societal History

Art in America’s Colonial and Early National Period 1776-1830

In 1781, the Articles of Confederation defined the framework of the first United States government. It took seven years for the central...

Western Farms to City Markets and Back: The Conestoga Wagon in Early America.

Jan 18, 2020
8 min

Societal History

Western Farms to City Markets and Back: The Conestoga Wagon in Early America.

"Carrying up to 12,000 pounds (6 tons) of cargo, the Conestoga Wagon was the tractor-trailer of the colonial and early-republic period."

The Grand Tour - An Early Version of Today's "Gap Year"

Jan 5, 2020
6 min

Societal History

The Grand Tour - An Early Version of Today's "Gap Year"

As the cold dark months of January set in, our thoughts today often turn to travel to foreign places. For the well-to-do of England and...

Celebrating Twelfth Night

Dec 20, 2019
8 min

Societal History

Celebrating Twelfth Night

As we discussed in our last posting, the Twelve Days of Christmas, beginning on Christmas Day and ending on January 5, is the festive...

Holiday Traditions in Colonial America and the Early Republic

Dec 8, 2019
13 min

Societal History

Holiday Traditions in Colonial America and the Early Republic

"Christmas is mostly seen as a children's holiday, no eighteenth-century sources highlight the importance of children at Christmastime.."