Tarheel Civilians

Ok, Facebook friends. This NON-tech savvy lady needs your help. I posted something and it was answered by a member and now my messanger for Tarheel Civilians is a "Meta Business Suite". What is that and how do I undo it so it goes back to regular messenger so I can message all y'all. How do I fix this?

We are so proud to announce that we have two new members. Welcome Joy Fowler and Anthony Gramaglia to the Tarheel Civilians.

The Tarheel Civilians have been invited to the Bentonville Battlefield autumn event on October 28th. Colby Stevens asked if we could set up around the kitchen area to discuss and demonstrate historic crafts and "old times things" for the public. This is a one day, fun day event- not too serious- and lots of fun. There will be a variety of things going on that day and it's always fun for kids and adults. Please let me know soonest if there is any interest, as I've told Colby Stevens I'd let him know. I will not be able to be there myself as my long awaited total knee replacement is scheduled for October 16th. Hope to hear from many of you soon.

I would like to invite any of the Tarheel Civilians that wish to join Alan and I at Fort Branch on Saturday, May 20th at 11:00 for the first board meeting of 2023. We will discuss all things involving. Fort Branch property including the November event. Alan and I will arrive a few minutes prior to the 11:00 meeting time.

There were two young ladies that I met at Bentonville Battlefield in March. I haven't heard from either and would love to know if either is still interesting in joining us.

A photo of those of us that were able to attend Bentonville Battlefield on March 18th to commemorate the 158th anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville.

Yesterday, March 18th, 2023, the Tarheel Civilians were in the kitchen at Bentonville Battlefield. Bentonville was commemorating is 158th anniversary of the battle. We cooked, spun, knitted, played parlor games and visited with an endless number of visitors. It was a wonderful day and we hope we will be invited back again. In the photo is Jan Tyler, Anthony Edward Gramaglia (hope I spelled it right), Doug Tyler, Trisha Colvin, Alan Colvin, Victoria Rehder and Joy Fowler.

A great day at Bentonville Battlefield for their 158th commemoration. Victoria and I in the kitchen. Others there were Alan Colvin, Jan and Doug Tyler and two granddaughters, and outside were candidates Joy Fowler and Anthony Edward Gramiglia (hope I spelled his name correctly).

I tried to insert a photo, but have had no luck (my ancient computer is a bit cranky).

Alan couldn’t stop, so a photo of Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC on the fly!

Fort Branch 2022, Tarheel Civilians and friends

Today it's about the only casualty of the Arabia's last trip, "Lawrence".

Lawrence, like any animal taken aboard the Arabia, was housed on deck at the back of the boat, and there is much we simply do not know such as if it was really a male mule, the destination, the owner's name, how old Lawrence was, etc..

We do know he was a riding mule and was saddled on the fateful day. We know the presumed owner was not truthful when he told a reporter that he'd cut the reins - which were tied to a heavy piece of equipment - so the mule could swim to safety. And lastly, we know from a mention by another passenger that the animal was not panicked and met its end with relative peace.

Mules, the usually-sterile hybrid of a female horse and a male donkey, have historically been used as draft and riding animals They tend to be robust, extremely intelligent and savvy, and they are likely to balk when asked to do something their instincts deem dangerous.

We often get stuck on Lawrence's end and forget that he (or she) was one of thousands who helped settle and build the frontier. Let's celebrate the contributions these creatures made to history even as we mourn the loss of this one.

Photo credit: From the book "Animal Pets" published by Charles E. Graham around 1880.

The end of an era: we are closing the shop in Gettysburg and moving everything online. The SALE is from the shop ONLY, NOT online.

Fellows the man bun is not new. :-)

Eighteen fifties young gentleman sporting some of the finest hair of his decade, in addition to some very smart trousers, shirt and hat. The middle section of this hair arrangement was ubiquitous in the 1850s and 60s for young boys, and often referred to in modern days as a ‘top knot’. Some boys wore double top knots-the very same as seen here but two smaller curls (much, in fact, like our recent ‘Thumbing the Nose’ gent seen on the previous post...) Curls were, in the 19th century, unisex (therefore comments regarding this style being feminine are inaccurate and historically irrelevant-we must always consider the time we are looking at, not living in).

Personally, I find it a glorious ‘do, and one which we can see had some time and work put into it. Daguerreotype courtesy of Be-Hold Auctions.

I can hear you thinking now - "why is there a picture of ketchup if it's national mushroom day? Has she finally gone mad?"

As part of the winter supplies going to those 50 stores and settlements, the Arabia was carrying quite a bit of foodstuffs. Among those vittles was bottles of catsup.

Interestingly, it probably was not tomato ketchup such as we enjoy now. It is far more likely to have been mushroom ketchup - a condiment since the mid-1700s (and/or before) or even walnut catsup, both very popular in the US. (The "k" spelling was British and comes from "koe-chap" or "ke-chap", the Chinese word for the table sauce which was originally a fish-based condiment.)

Recipes for tomato 'catchup' appear in cookbooks in the early 1800s, for the fish-based sauce in the mid-1700s. In the days before reliable refrigeration, however, it would have been impossible to safely store opened tomato products.

It is *possible*, though we have no way of knowing, that our ketchup could be Geo. Watkins, a renown UK manufacturer of mushroom ketchup starting in the 1830s. The company's products can be bought today, as well.

There is an outside chance that it *is* tomato catsup, though. Jonas Yerkes is touted as the first to sell a commercial tomato catsup in 1837, but I couldn't find much information beyond that. Williams Brothers of Detroit and Horace Thurber in New Jersey both manufactured the sauce.

It definitely is not Heinz! Heinz as a company was not founded until post Civil War, and ketchup wasn't introduced onto their list of goods until 1876.

As always, the Arabia collection tantalizes us with glimpses of our past, leaving us to piece together the story as best we can.

Perfect impression

My sweet apprentice, Mindy, and me, sharing a lovely afternoon together. 🧡

While my instruction lessons with Mindy don’t exactly involve book learning like this (😉), we do enjoy lovely autumn afternoons together, especially when good books or history is involved! This photo might just be my new favorite autumn image taken of us! I'm wearing my brand new 1860s dress, and Mindy is wearing a dress she made just before starting her apprenticeship with me well over a year ago. And of course this stunning photograph was taken by my mother at Veda Gonzalez Photography. 😊

Rust-colored Gown: Ensembles of the Past
Fabric for rust-colored Dress: Ensembles of the Past on Etsy
Brown Dress: Girl of a Different Era
Photograph: Veda Gonzalez Photography
Caps: Three Sisters Millinery & Ensembles of the Past
Belt & Buckles: Ensembles of the Past on Etsy
Brooches: Elizabeth Aldridge & Beth Miller Hall

The first look at my latest 1860s gown, complete with organdy undersleeves, chemisette, and detachable day sleeves! 💙 This ensemble, like most of the creations I’m able to squeeze in between custom orders, has been a work in progress for some time, and (like most of my personal garments) more tweaking and pieces will likely be added later! I purchased this gorgeous rust-colored sheer wool while abroad in Italy in 2020, sold most of it quickly in my shop, and saved back just enough to make myself this ensemble! I’m in love with the color, and the future versatility of this gown! More photos coming soon! 😊

Gown: Ensembles of the Past
Fabric: Ensembles of the Past on Etsy
Photograph: Veda Gonzalez Photography
Cap: Three Sisters Millinery
Belt & Buckle: Ensembles of the Past on Etsy
Brooch: Elizabeth Aldridge

Exciting news! Tryon Palace has been awarded funding by the Anonymous Trust to start an educational outreach program that delivers Tryon Palace history into the classrooms of NC Title I schools with costumed interpreters and programs that support NC curriculum. It is an amazing opportunity that needs an amazing person to start it up! If you are interested, please contact us.

NEEDED!
Education Outreach Coordinator Position Grant funded, Independent Contractor: This position is grant funded for up to two years with a pay scale of $15.00 per hour, paid monthly ($31,200) annually, at 40 hours per week.) A degree in Education is preferred, with experience in curriculum design and proficiency in North Carolina history and standard course of study. Must be able to work independently, and collaboratively. Must have strong organizational skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities :
- Development and implementation of a new outreach program to deliver Tryon Palace curriculum supported educational programs to the home campuses of NC Title I schools.
- One-on-one support for teachers at Title I schools for planning and scheduling the Palace Scholars Outreach program to their home campus.
- Training and scheduling of part-time interpretive staff for the outreach program in collaboration with the Education Department.
- Building contacts and networking with school district leadership, principals, teachers and others to build awareness of the new outreach program, and the fieldtrip awards program, and expand the programs. This may require site visits.

Work Setting – Mostly remote. Provided NC e-mail address, loaned laptop, designated phone no. with voice mail. No permanent office space but temporary space is available on-site for tasks, meetings and collaboration.

Reporting – The position is managed by the Tryon Palace Education Department – with dotted line responsibility to the Development Manager for grant reporting purposes.

Evaluation – Progress on scope of work to be reported weekly, with recommended adjustments made to project plans as needed.

For more information on scope of work, or to Apply – Please email [email protected]. Submit resumes and cover letter, no later than October 21, 2022.