Grand Portage 2016

  It has pretty much gotten to the point where Grand Portage is the only historical reenactment I make it to in the year.  Being my old “home” as well as my daughters’ favorite place and event of the year, we pretty much have to go.  Anyway, I will let  the photos speak for themselves, but some of the highlights include: -A friend of the girls’ and our family coming along for her first...

18th century trews

    For a long time, I have admired the appearance of trews (triubhas in Scottish Gaelic/Gàidhlig) being worn in images of Scottish Highlanders at the turn of the century (18th to 19th).  Finally, I got to making a pair, knowing that we will be celebrating the wedding of my good friend and piper, Jeremy Kingsbury at Grand Portage National Monument this year for their historic event. I had no real pattern, but...

Selling off some items

I am selling off some items that I have not used in years and wish to convert that cash into other “toys.”  I am posting here on my blog to get the info out to as many people as possible with hopes that someone can get good use of this.  For the items below in the condition and quality that they are in, this is a STEAL!!! Companies Franche de la Marine sergeant uniform. Breeches and vest 100% hand sewn using...

Beaver Hunting in the Middle Ages

The beaver is one of my favorite species and one that is rather common where I live in Wisconsin.  In the history I usually reenact and blog about here in North America, the beaver was the largest commodity and the main object of desire in the fur trade.  One of the greatest reasons of exploration in French North America was the fur trade and the need to supply Europe with beaver fur and castor.  Historically, beaver were...

Another Bison Robe

Just a quick post to share another robe that I painted.  This robe belongs to my good friend Jeremy Kingsbury.  He was wanting it painted and gave me license to do as I wish with only a suggestion that he would like a “sunburst” design.  I am very pleased with how it came out.  Pigments were soot/lampblack, real vermilion, and red ochre staining around the edges.  As I have stated before, I would be happy to...

Projects… Scottish history

Although the title of my blog refers to mainly the French history of Wisconsin that typically reenact, it is no secret that I dabble with other parts of history.  For the past 5+ years I have been focusing on the fur trade of the NorthWest Co.  The owners, partners, and some of the workers of this company were Highland Scots.  Although I normally portray a lowly canadien worker, I occasionally (and planning on more) portray...