The Secretary of the Landings!

Meet Paula!

Paula was very helpful in getting me started as I visited the Landing.  She explained what I would be seeing and what might be a good photography experience.

Thanks Paula!

A Dress Shop

I didn't get this woman's name. She was working very hard to sell dresses and didn't have time for me.

She is looking at a young lady who desperately needs a custom made dress!  The young lady was about 8 and was pretty convinced that the proprietor was right...and that a custom dress was on the way.   It would only take a month!

My sincere thanks!

The Propriety of the General Store Returns!

Meet Mike!

Now, Mike knew how to sell!  And, he was very excited to explain all the new goods that were making their way west.

Could you imagine such a thing as stereographic images!

And, of course, there was always time for a game of checkers.

Thanks Mike!

The General Store

Meet Wendi!

She was filling in while the proprietor took a little break.   But, she was quite knowledgeable about the various goods that were for sale.

Thanks Wendi!

The Apothecary Shop

Meet Doug!

He is the proprietor of the local Cobbler and Apothecary Shop.  

Need anything weighed?

A little Laudanum, anyone? 

He also clued me in about the Baseball Contest featuring the Rochester Roosters and the Mankato Baltics.  This game is played as it was in the 1880's.  Same type of ball and bat.  And, gloves were a luxury!  Unfortunately, I need to miss the game.  

Thanks Doug!

Housewives from the 1880's

The two lovely ladies below were housewives and, if memory serves me correctly, neighbors. 

The woman below was tending her garden. 

My sincere thanks!

A Visito to the Civil War

Meet Lorraine!

She was there with her two children and we were pretty much in step as we went through the various exhibits and buildings.

Thanks Lorraine!  From what I could tell, the kids had a wonderful time!

The Civil War Cavalry

Meet Philip!

I spotted him in the shade, a private encampment, taking care of his horse.  The horse was beautiful.  And, Philip seemed to know he had a good steed.

He was able to provide a wonderful demonstration of the Civil War cavalry.  He was able to charge the soldiers and we were able to see how the soldiers would position themselves to stop a cavalry charge in its tracks.  It was quite fascinating.

And, Philip looks like he belongs on that horse, in that uniform!

Thanks Philip!

Rifle Drills and Musket Fire

A small crowd gathered to watch the soldiers marching.  We knew the musket firing would be coming up soon. 

The Sargent did a nice job explaining the various commands and why they were so important.  Even handling the ram rod was explained.  A good soldier could fire 3 shots a minute!

 The actual firing was fun to watch.  And, noisy!

 And, smokey!

Thank you, gentlemen!

Settlers were Armed and Prepared to Defend their Land

As the war lingered on and increasing numbers of men went to fight, those who stayed behind were often called to defend their homesteads and towns against outlaws and at roving bands of Native American's.

For the most part, these men didn't have the most up-to-date rifles.  But, they sufficed. 

My thanks, gentlemen!

The School Teacher!

Meet Miss Poepping!

Her task is to keep a classroom of boys and girls, of all ages, on task!  

It was quite interesting listening to her talk about how the classroom was organized.   Boys on one side and girls on the other...and segmented by age, as well.

Thank you, Ms Peopping!

Merchants from the 1870's: Sutler Store!

Meet John!

And, meet Randy!

After the war, goods began moving through the prairie and citizens could have their pick of a variety of new things.  Like.........

PEACHES!!!!   Radical!

And, of course, who doesn't need a good, clay pipe!

Thank you, gentlemen!

A Member of the 5th Minnesota

The corporal was tired and warm...and was looking for a chance to sit in the shade and smoke his pipe!

 I like the images with the smoke!

Thank you, Corporal!

A Sargent from the 5th Minnesota

Meet Sgt. Daniel Dills (aka Gene)

Sgt Dills joined the Union army with this son and brother during the winter of 1862.  When he joined, he was 44 yrs old.  And, his brother was 43.  Daniel left his wife with four remaining children (ages 2-15) to run the farm.   

Except for that scratch, all three returned home safely after the war.

My sincere thanks, Sgt Dills!

The Sargent!

Meet Aaron!

Aaron was doing a wonderful job explaining the rifles, munitions, camping conditions, etc.  

This is a cannon ball will with shrapnel.   As you can see, if this blows up, there can be a lot of carnage. 

This is a 12 pound canister.  Note the much larger shot inside.  This would be devastating when it hit.  

Thanks Sarge!

A Civil War Soldier

Meet John!

 

He was standing guard as the Sargent explained various tools, weapons, etc that soldiers used.  

Thanks John!

The 1850's

Moving along the road, I ran right into the 1850's!  The house was bigger and better constructed.

Life had begun to settle down.  The gentleman below was beginning to gather his musket for a little hunting.   I found it fascinating that a musket, with powder and ball were always near by.  Life was.....unpredictable back then. 

And, the lady of the house was busy working, cooking and cleaning.

No washing machines.  No dryers except a rope between two trees.   People then were strong, smart and self reliant.  If you weren't, you didn't survive long.

15 years Before the Civil War: A Home

Over the last couple of years, I have wondered about history reenactments and have  tried to find local events where I could find people in period costumes, etc.  I was very pleased to see there was a Civil War reenactment not far from my home.

I had never been to this place and found it was far more than just a civil war reenactment site.  A long road begins the historical journey from the late 1700's or early 1800's through to the 1890's.   You go in by horse drawn wagon.   And, there the "learning" about what life was like can begin.

A rustic home.

And, the lady of the house was doing a wonderful job talking to kids about what life was like. 

 

 The food smelled wonderful.

But, it was warm in the house and the fire didn't help!  No AC back then unless there was a nice cool breeze.

 The free market was alive and well, even in the fur trade.

My sincere thanks!