Today, John and I spent our "date day" in Henrico County at Publick Days 2011, Henricus Historical park. Commemorating 400 years.
Many living historians shared with the community how our forefathers lived, hunted, traded, farmed, healed and traveled during the first settling of the New World. Settled on the Dutch Gap, where the canal meets the James River, this event not only had living historians for the colonial era, but also from other wars as well.
This gentleman was telling how Pocahontas was traded for a copper pot and ultimately the King of England wanted her to marry a person from the Royal family instead of Rolfe.
These soldiers were from WWI.
Displayed were many tools used on the high seas. Though there was a volunteer explaining how these tools worked ...I had my own expert. I brought along my own navigation officer. He really uses sexton and quadrant too!!
This colonist was showing all of the musical instruments that were available to the colonists.
The doctor! I took this without the flash...it was rather dark in there..the same light he would have worked in performing surgery...scary!!
Two ladies enjoying the fire. It was a cool day with a bit of mist...I wouldn't think the fire would be necessary but it added to the day!!
Traders! John's shipmate, Miles, on the right, enjoys reenacting in many eras, this being one of them! These traders were trading beads, knives and kettles with the Indians for furs...beaver furs. Russia had hunted beaver to almost extinction so thus the need and a great deal of money for beaver furs from the colonists!
A young powhatan indian hanging out with the traders.
John and Miles negotiate a good trade...gun for mead??? Mead for gun???
Exploration of this area revealed that many civil war soldiers were buried here. Personal items were forwarded to loved ones, useable items, shoes, uniforms, etc were taken for use. The body was then wrapped in an army blanket and buried, and marked to retrieve later. There were no bodies buried there as they were moved to a veterans cemetary.
Photographers such as this guy were frequently seen during the civil war era. Thus bringing the war into homes and newspapers.
old guys talking about big guns and stuff....
Over looking the Dutch Gap, a canal dug to provide ample travel further into Virginia.
A shiny gun!
A reenactor firing his rifle...
No, that guy isn't dead...he's taking a nap!!
powhatan indians painted themselves much like women today use make up. In nature, most males of species are the most colorful. The indians were no different.
This powhatan woman was pushing crushed pecans into cooked butternut squash for her village. We're going to try that as well. Powhatan indian women only used small decorative marks on their face and some red clay coloring near their hairline.
Powhatan dude...chillin...smokin his pipe. If you look closely, he has green spikes leaves coming out of his ears. lol like earrings.
The inside of one of the colonists homes...
this was cool....how much damage a colonists bullet can cause...IF it hit the armor!
One of the reenactors...he takes his job very seriously folks!
This quiver was made of tree bark. There were several baskets made from treebark as well...laced together. I thought they were cool.
Now isnt' this the cutest face ever???? He was just so cute!! Of course, I didn't reach down to pet him like the silly lady after I moved away...he nearly took off her hand. He did love to have his picture taken though. He was wagging that little ole tail of his! I asked John if he wasn't the cutest pig ever!! John just replied, oh yes, he's a delicious ham, bacon and pork chop!! lol Figures....always thinking about his stomach!
It was a great day!!
