James Barbour – Governor, Senator, Cabinet Secretary, and Diplomat

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.




- Jul 20
- 7 min
The Origins of the American Picnic


- Jun 2
- 12 min
America’s Swiss “Founding Father” – Albert Gallatin

- May 19
- 10 min
Francis Cabot Lowell and the Beginnings of American Industrial Manufacturing


- May 5
- 11 min
Negotiator, Lawyer, Representative, Senator, and Commissioner - Littleton Waller Tazewell.


- Apr 21
- 15 min
Beverages of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries – Part 3 – Cocoa/Chocolate – “The Food of the Gods”


- Apr 7
- 11 min
Beverages of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries – Part 2 - Coffee


- Mar 24
- 9 min
Beverages of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries – Part 1 - Tea


- Feb 24
- 12 min
Worth its Weight in Salt - History of Salt and its Importance in Early America


- Dec 16, 2022
- 11 min
Eggnog – Origins, History, and How it Caused a Riot


- Dec 2, 2022
- 17 min
Wrestling and Pugilism – Entertainments and Self Defense in 18th and Early-19th Century America


- Oct 7, 2022
- 15 min
Naval Stores and Ropewalks – Vital Backbones of the Maritime World


- Jul 2, 2022
- 17 min
Celebration: Patriotic Holidays in Colonial America and the Early United States


- Jun 3, 2022
- 13 min
Let’s Bat that Around – The Game of Battledore and Shuttlecock


- May 6, 2022
- 11 min
Outdoor Entertainments – Quoits, The Sport of a Virginia Gentleman.


- Mar 11, 2022
- 12 min
A Revolution in Travel – early steamboat travel in the James River and the Chesapeake Bay


- Feb 11, 2022
- 13 min
Every Gentleman's Duty - Toasting in the 18th and Early 19th Century


- Dec 17, 2021
- 11 min
Christmas Carols in the Early 19th Century


- Nov 19, 2021
- 13 min
An Evening Out: Etiquette for the Street, House Parties, and the Dining Room


- Nov 5, 2021
- 9 min
The Formal Visit and the Calling Card