Noah Webster - Father of “American” Culture and Image in the New United States
For many of us today, the name Noah Webster Jr. is mainly remembered as the author of An American Dictionary of the English Language,”...
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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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Feb 24, 202312 min read
Worth its Weight in Salt - History of Salt and its Importance in Early America
Today, in 2023, we here in the United States, take salt for granted. If we need it, we just run down to the corner market and pick up a...
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Feb 12, 202312 min read
The Old Southwest Territory and the Origins of Tennessee
An Act for Government of the Southwest Territory Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States...
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Jan 27, 20239 min read
Living History – Developing and Giving Engaging Public Programs – Part 2
Today we continue our discussion of Developing and Giving Engaging Public Programs that we began in our last post. In Part 1, we touched...
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Jan 13, 202312 min read
Living History – Developing and Giving Engaging Public Programs – Part 1
“A story, in which native humour reigns, Is often useful, always entertains; A graver fact, enlisted on your side, May furnish...
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Dec 16, 202211 min read
Eggnog – Origins, History, and How it Caused a Riot
Christmas is just over a week away and so; it is time once again to think about “Christmas traditions.” One of those traditions...
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Dec 2, 202217 min read
Wrestling and Pugilism – Entertainments and Self Defense in 18th and Early-19th Century America
In our last post, we talked about some of the methods that people used to defend themselves, their loved, and their property against...
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Nov 19, 202219 min read
Crime in 18th and early-19th century America - Part 2 – Self-Defense with Sword, Stick, and Cudgel
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at Crime in 18th and early-19th century North America and at the policing, and protection options...
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Nov 4, 20229 min read
Crime in 18th and early-19th century America - Part 1 – Crime, Policing, and Protection options
It seems like “street violence” (shootings, assaults, robberies, burglaries, etc.) is on the rise, and many of us feel “unsafe” on the...
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Oct 21, 202215 min read
Witches, Ghosts, and Monsters in 18th and Early-19th Century Native American Culture
“Spooky Season” ("spook" is a Dutch word for spirit or ghost) is once again upon us. As a result, although this blog usually only deals...
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Oct 7, 202215 min read
Naval Stores and Ropewalks – Vital Backbones of the Maritime World
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the strength of the economy of the British Empire and the early United States was dependent on...
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Sep 23, 20228 min read
Period Dramas and Living History: A Love-Hate Relationship That Doesn't Have to Be.
Let me begin by admitting that I have been, and still am at times, the guy in the picture above. I try to not do this, and, for the most...
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Sep 9, 20229 min read
“Standards of Beauty” in 18th and Early 19th Century England and America
The ideal of feminine beauty is a specific set of traits that are ingrained in women throughout their lives and from an early age to...
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Jul 2, 202217 min read
Celebration: Patriotic Holidays in Colonial America and the Early United States
On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth (June 19th) our 11th Federal holiday. Of these there are four...
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Jun 17, 202211 min read
Recreation For Persons Great and Common - Bowls and Skittles
Like everyone else, I have memories of my younger years. One of those memories is of, as a young US Navy sailor in the 1970s, I had...
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Jun 3, 202213 min read
Let’s Bat that Around – The Game of Battledore and Shuttlecock
Most of us reading this article have played Badminton at one time or another. When I was growing up as a part of the Baby Boomer...
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May 20, 202212 min read
Hands Off the Americas: The Origins of the Monroe Doctrine.
During our High School years, almost every American child ends up taking a course in American History. In that course we learn about...
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May 6, 202211 min read
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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Apr 22, 202213 min read
Captured by the Spanish – The Pike Expedition – Part 2
In Part 1 of this series, we followed the Zebulon Pike Expedition from Fort Bellefontaine (near St. Louis) across the Great Plains and...
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Apr 8, 202218 min read
Exploring the New Louisiana Territory: The Pike Expedition - Part 1
As we discussed in our last post, the Louisiana Purchase came about unexpectedly, and no one was sure exactly what the United States...
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Mar 25, 202212 min read
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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Mar 11, 202212 min read
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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Feb 25, 20227 min read
Why is it Important to Study History?
In our last living history article a few weeks ago, we answered a few questions to help our readers to understand the terms we use in our...
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Feb 11, 202213 min read
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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