'Quill Pens and Two-Tined Forks' at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum in Connecticut

"New, Interesting Oddities Offered at Revolutionary War Encampment by

Big Bear Trading Co."

 

The sixth-annual Revolutionary War Encampment at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum will be held  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24, according to a release.

 

And, there is something new in store for victors.

 

When organizers "wanted to add a new element to their painstakingly authentic event, they naturally decided on a sutler—a military merchant—who hails from Rhode Island and brings with him with an interesting history of his own," the release said.

Check out a look at some Rhode Island history here:

"Steve Salisbury will slip into his role as an 18^th-century trader and bring his Big Bear Trading Company" to the Wethersfield, Conn. event. the release said.

 

Salisbury "will set up a period tent and purvey period copies of trade goods that were sold and traded in America in the mid-to-late 1700s. A descendant of Roger Williams, who founded the Providence Plantation in 1636, Salisbury became a reenactor in 1976, at the age of 16, and joined the 46th British Regiment in Rhode Island," the release said.

 

"He since joined more than a half dozen other reenacting groups, ranging from the Starks Company of Rogers Rangers for the French and Indian War to the Rhode Island Trayned Bande of 1660. In 1991 he began the Big Bear Trading Company to serve as a sutler to his fellow re-enactors and the public. "
 

The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Revolutionary War Encampment will be held at 211 Main St., Old Wethersfield. following the Wethersfield Memorial Day parade, the release said.

Admission to the encampment is free; regular admission rates will be charged for optional tours of the museum.
 

"The encampment offers visitors the chance to interact closely with members of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment in full Colonial costume, with entertaining demonstrations of marching and musket firing, 18th-century open-fire cookery, and enchanting harp and dulcimer music."

"Shortly after the regiment partakes of its midday meal, children in attendance will be invited to learn to march and perform drills with wooden 'muskets.' A fascinating display and discussion of the medical and surgical techniques used in the late 1700s, and an exhibit of period clothing and fashions, are also featured."

Also in the release and unedited here but posted for information sharing purposes:

The event also includes members of the 54^th Regiment of Foot, a dashing band of British redcoats whose safety is uncertain once they commence a “surprise” attack on the Continental soldiers at 1 p.m. Also featured will be the wildly popular fare created by Liberty Tea, bakers who create delicious homemade treats from historic recipes, using all-natural ingredients, which sold out at the 2013 encampment.

Horseman David Loda— a dashing figure in full Continental uniform and tri-corn hat astride his gleaming Morgan horse, Huckleberry—will demonstrate sword and pistol skills from the 18^th-century at approximately 2 p.m.. When Loda portrays Humphreys—barreling across a battlefield toward a “soldier” portrayed by a melon perched atop a post— visitors easily grasp the level of discomfort their forbears felt when faced with a charging, sword-wielding horseman.

The encampment is underwritten in part by a grant from the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut.