tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26906901621399254162024-03-05T00:10:59.188-08:00Poor Reveler's AlmanacHistorical Harmonies and Colonial Revelers bids you welcome!
Here you'll find news of our events, as well as historical information about our music and the periods of history where you might have first heard it sung. Charge your glasses and make yourself comfortable by the fire.Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-18917391627972872832014-12-01T06:36:00.002-08:002014-12-01T06:36:22.125-08:00Historical Harmonies December Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BVZUMDXp6uXlmdZrCK99_5VFU5lpEDSC1nJlQKtWe8VDJXGM_Bh-LoYwd43teGIXZOfULvHDYFGA0Xn2g0kDv4gRz86zRzpgARbMBPOP559DqU8iQDDMvdbF7WtpO8eGkvP0gaayC1nJ/s1600/limerick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BVZUMDXp6uXlmdZrCK99_5VFU5lpEDSC1nJlQKtWe8VDJXGM_Bh-LoYwd43teGIXZOfULvHDYFGA0Xn2g0kDv4gRz86zRzpgARbMBPOP559DqU8iQDDMvdbF7WtpO8eGkvP0gaayC1nJ/s1600/limerick.JPG" height="400" width="396" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>J</b></span>oin the ensembles of Historical Harmonies this month as we celebrate the holiday season. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, December 5</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">6 -9 pm</span></span></b><br />
<br /><b><span style="color: #38761d;">HOLIDAY CELEBRATION</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></b>Limerick Community Park<br />Swamp Pike & Ziegler Road<br />
Limerick, PA<br /><br />Victorian Carolers will perform holiday carols at this free event. Crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, and of course, Santa Claus. Bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjE1ITmoipgydneR4R_wbwZnFGin5gkFtCFbcNjM532uqCAzMETiiaI0JWTxSwjD2WL8Vzizq2xdsVsNZs0etp_CUmpXZJIUnJXrJ6aXeH9SiYPsXa9C0fkZr_dlPbxqDz0mAFPYTnoIA/s1600/ElfrethsAlley2005-sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjE1ITmoipgydneR4R_wbwZnFGin5gkFtCFbcNjM532uqCAzMETiiaI0JWTxSwjD2WL8Vzizq2xdsVsNZs0etp_CUmpXZJIUnJXrJ6aXeH9SiYPsXa9C0fkZr_dlPbxqDz0mAFPYTnoIA/s1600/ElfrethsAlley2005-sm.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Saturday, December 6</b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>3-7 pm</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>DECK THE ALLEY!</b></span><br />Elfreth's Alley Museum<br />Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA<br />
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Colonial Revelers will sing and perform antics on the oldest residential street in the U.S. as the neighbors open their colonial era homes to the public.<br />
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Unique holiday decorations, refreshments, carriage rides, story tellers,
authentic 18th Century mummers, as well as encounters with Ben
Franklin, Dolley Madison and colonial Pennsylvania’s own cranky Santa
“Belsnickel” himself.<br /><br />Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children. Group rates available. Tickets at <a href="https://elfrethsalley.ticketleap.com/deck-the-alley-2014/dates/Dec-06-2014_at_0300PM">https://elfrethsalley.ticketleap.com/deck-the-alley-2014/dates/Dec-06-2014_at_0300PM</a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, December 19</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">5:30-7 pm</span></b></span><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #38761d;">THE "MARCH-IN" at VALLEY FORGE</span></b><br />Valley Forge National Historical Park<br />1400 North Outer Line Drive<br />Valley Forge, PA<br /><br />Colonial Revelers will be stationed in the Visitor Center, singing 18th century wassail songs, Christmas hymns and other period music to commemorate the day the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge in 1777. Come for the party!<br /><br />Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment, from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778. Park rangers and Friends of Valley Forge will be on hand for candlelight tours, a "march" up to Muhlenberg's huts, and other 18th century festivities. Refreshments, holiday shopping and free gift wrapping will be available at the Encampment Store at the Visitor Center. Free and open to the public.<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday, December 21</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">7-9 pm</span></b></span><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #38761d;">COMMUNITY SOLSTICE SING</span></b><br />
The Birdhouse Center for the Arts<br />7 North Main, Lambertville, NJ<br /><br />Members of Historical Harmonies will add their voices and flair for mischief to the mix to celebrate the shortest day. Bring your favorite songbooks, instruments, drinks/food and friends for a cozy evening of community celebration! Refreshments provided but additional snacks and beverages welcome.<br /><br />Tickets: $5 individual or $10 whole family. Seating is first come, first served.<br /><br />The Birdhouse will also have free Morris Dancing in the afternoon from 4-6 pm.<br />
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<br /><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Welcome Yule !</b></span></i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-48845443788874195692014-09-18T07:51:00.001-07:002014-09-18T07:51:40.568-07:00Colonial Revelers October Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMNYa9gD3-Nq1T5uq0MBC5WI8qg0dvNbwuAFIajG9ye6i4VIMny1d18mLihUhuUl3Y0vh-h1rzvRoz6lo4acTZ7nLMLT7j0QUAy9DxQm6kKr5WDQahv1SLPhAQUFVBZ2OxYdUwpqvn2Z3/s1600/Newlin+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMNYa9gD3-Nq1T5uq0MBC5WI8qg0dvNbwuAFIajG9ye6i4VIMny1d18mLihUhuUl3Y0vh-h1rzvRoz6lo4acTZ7nLMLT7j0QUAy9DxQm6kKr5WDQahv1SLPhAQUFVBZ2OxYdUwpqvn2Z3/s1600/Newlin+sm.JPG" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>O</b></span>ctober is Harvest Festival time! Come hear Colonial Revelers at the following events:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Newlin Grist Mill Fall Harvest Festival</span></span></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday, October 4</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">10 am to 4 pm</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">219 Cheyney Rd (at Route 1)<br />Glen Mills, PA<br /><br />Newlin Grist Mill was built in 1704 and operated commercially until 1941. Now it's a historic site and park. At their fall festival, the 18th century comes alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial America. Tradesmen and artisans will demonstrate papermaking, colonial brewing, iron making, brickmaking, blacksmithing, historic baking, and milling throughout the day. Displays include bee skeps, colonial money, and chair caning. Stop by to see a dairy cow, heritage sheep, and chickens. Listen to colonial music, learn period dancing, play colonial games, decorate a pumpkin, and enjoy a hayride through the 160-acre grounds. Colonial Revelers will sing 2 sets, at about 11 am and 1 pm, right out in front of the house. You can't miss us. <br /><br />Admission is free. Parking is $5 per car. More information at <a href="http://www.newlingristmill.org/#!fall-harvest-festival/c1m63">http://www.newlingristmill.org/#!fall-harvest-festival/c1m63</a></span><br /><br />________________________<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEfhUU1e2-khx2ZG8pb_2GKvoWTTuLm8lHPOk5reiQDxgy2h37-ENgmalrcK7MoAvgVhZgzRotUqJnd4iIEw5XgjlpLJPyrdHe5dCL-iK1SV93cBru97gdqs8pryN23XzttlrN5Tk_xob/s1600/Downingtown+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEfhUU1e2-khx2ZG8pb_2GKvoWTTuLm8lHPOk5reiQDxgy2h37-ENgmalrcK7MoAvgVhZgzRotUqJnd4iIEw5XgjlpLJPyrdHe5dCL-iK1SV93cBru97gdqs8pryN23XzttlrN5Tk_xob/s1600/Downingtown+sm.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Downingtown Friends Meeting Fall Festival</span><br />Saturday, October 11</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">9 am to 4 pm</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">800 East Lancaster Ave.<br />Downingtown, PA<br /><br />Colonial Revelers will perform for the lunch crowd at noon, and this year by special request, we'll be adding in a few of our 19th century seasonal songs into our mix of colonial church hymns, tavern songs and tunes from the Revolution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also at the festival you'll find craft vendors, live folk and rock music, Downingtown's famous Festival foods (their vegetarian chili is amazing!), and serious garage-sale finds at the Friends Mercantile. You'll be able to learn about the history of Downingtown Friends from the Quaker Heritage Exhibit inside, featuring antique Quaker clothing and memorabilia. At 1:30 pm, in authentic early American Quaker garb, the Friends will reenact the first wedding that took place at the meetinghouse in 1806. For the kids, they offer children’s crafts and games. There’s also a hay wagon ride and exceptional face painting for both kids and adults.<br /><br />Admission and parking are free. Park across Lancaster Avenue. More info at <a href="http://downingtownfriendsmeeting.org/fallfestival.htm">http://downingtownfriendsmeeting.org/fallfestival.htm</a></span><br />
<br />Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-92078226690940322012013-04-28T04:30:00.000-07:002013-04-28T04:30:08.351-07:00Bring In The May!<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></b>his year, our May Revelers will partner with the Birdhouse Center for the Arts to properly usher in the May in Lambertville, NJ.<br />
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Join us on <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday, May 4</b></span> at <b><span style="font-size: large;">1 pm</span></b>. Learn songs and dances associated with a traditional May Day celebration! The event is free and open to the public.<br />
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The Revelers, dressed in English country costume, will sing a variety of seasonal English and Celtic songs. The dances have their roots mostly in Morris and English Country dance traditions, though one annual favorite, <i>La Bastringue</i>, hails from French Canada. And, of course, the group will perform the quintessential Maypole dance. Interested audience members will be given a chance to learn the dances and participate.<br />
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The Birdhouse Center is located at 7 North Main St. in Lambertville. From the Delaware River, follow Bridge St. about a quarter mile inland to Main. Turn left on Main. The first drive on the left will lead you back to the Birdhouse. Since we will be performing in their parking lot, please park out on the street.Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-83953629620550709272012-09-24T10:32:00.000-07:002012-09-24T10:32:49.890-07:00October 2012 Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wgoZ3fF-3gPLhhDmAKKZt9Hs-MFgnBwwr5X4TsdOtiW3f5t9T5f3W-yGw61UH8k0B8pqaqJzSnVb_5yHOnjWIh86hbJbsk0Ydr0wbWYEjYgKOuLdLmraoddDMqrZfruz7oDKmDirCUPK/s1600/Newlin+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wgoZ3fF-3gPLhhDmAKKZt9Hs-MFgnBwwr5X4TsdOtiW3f5t9T5f3W-yGw61UH8k0B8pqaqJzSnVb_5yHOnjWIh86hbJbsk0Ydr0wbWYEjYgKOuLdLmraoddDMqrZfruz7oDKmDirCUPK/s1600/Newlin+sm.JPG" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(latest first)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Saturday, October 13, 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> 9 am to 4 pm</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="color: #990000;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Downingtown Friends Meeting Fall Festival</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Downingtown Friends Meeting</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">800 E. Lancaster Ave. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Downingtown,
PA 19335</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="description"><b>Colonial Revelers will sing a concert of 18th century music at noon</b>. Besides the music on the mainstage, the Festival offers delicious foods, children's activities, plants, crafts, and white-elephant sales, all on the grounds of this beautiful historic meeting house. At 1:30 is the annual authentic reenactment of an 1806 Quaker wedding.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Admission is free and so is the parking, across the street. For more information and directions, go to <a href="http://downingtownfriendsmeeting.org/fallfestival.htm">Downingtown Friend's Festival</a> page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Saturday, October 6, 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> 10 am to 4 pm</b></span><br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Newlin Grist Mill Fall Harvest Festival</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Newlin Grist Mill</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
219 South Cheyney Rd (Routes 1 and 322)<br />
Glen Mills, PA 19342 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Colonial Revelers will perform at 11 am and 1 pm</b>. In between you can listen to period harp and mandolin music as you stroll around the grounds, meeting over 20 living history demonstrators plying colonial crafts and trades such as spinning, blacksmithing, brick making, and weaving. Colonial meals will be prepared over open hearths and you can watch the mill in action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This event is free of charge. Go to <a href="http://www.newlingristmill.org/">Newlin Mill's site</a> for more information and directions.</span>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-77250237435875137772012-09-14T10:09:00.000-07:002012-09-14T10:09:51.965-07:00September 2012 Events<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(latest first)</span><b><br /></b><br />
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<b>Saturday, September 22, 2012</b><br />
<b> 9 am to 5 pm</b><br />
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<div style="color: #990000;">
<b>Montgomery County History Fair</b></div>
Augustus Lutheran Church<br />
717 West Main St.<br />
Trappe, PA<br />
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<span itemprop="description">Colonial Revelers, in costume, will provide music for
this unique living history experience. More than 30 historical
societies, living history and civic organizations will be present, plus food
and other vendors</span>.<br />
<br />For more information, go to the <a href="http://www.wshancocksociety.org/blog/2012/02/montgomery-county-history-fair-2012/">W.S. Hancock Society web page</a>. <br />
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<b>Sunday, September 16, 2012 9:30 am to 11 am</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">St. Thomas Church History Day</span></b><br />
St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh<br />
Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Rds<br />
Fort Washington, PA<br />
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Colonial Revelers will sing at the end of the 9:30 service, then downstairs for a signing of a book about the church's history.<br />
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For more info, go to <a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-and-Events-from-St-Thomas--Church--Whitemarsh-.html?soid=1102727622835&aid=ZcsKvJXcOI4">St. Thomas's site</a>. <br />
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<br />Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-82511631722572082152012-07-25T08:56:00.000-07:002012-07-25T08:56:14.838-07:00We Love A Parade<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"...in passing thro' the City...great attention given by the officers to see that the men carry their arms well, and are made to appear as decent as circumstances will admit."</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Washington's orders, Aug. 23, 1777 </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0sI_dJ7nolFNyNdgNdmMu9rP4ekpsSle94AWcy-H4Wu6NRoKbIqDtQITt0B2j6OxOVU38YdguCOS3yLFzfEuQ4fJLti5rewkywrC8GBRh3cARpjQx-b-k4Urc_uS6EwIpKNDLN3_RAOw/s1600/HHparade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0sI_dJ7nolFNyNdgNdmMu9rP4ekpsSle94AWcy-H4Wu6NRoKbIqDtQITt0B2j6OxOVU38YdguCOS3yLFzfEuQ4fJLti5rewkywrC8GBRh3cARpjQx-b-k4Urc_uS6EwIpKNDLN3_RAOw/s400/HHparade.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span></b>n August 24, 1777, Front Street in Philadelphia was the site of a Grand Parade of the Continental Army. The troops were on their way south, to defend the city from the British who were landing along the Chesapeake. Washington decided to take advantage of the situation to flaunt his troops, hoping to win support from the citizens. He took the precaution of sending some of the sutlers and less reputable camp followers (i.e. whores) down to Delaware by another route.<br />
<br />
The word "parade"--coined in the 17th century--originally meant to
prepare and was used in a military context. Parade grounds were places
for troops to practice maneuvers and eventually to display the troops
abilities to superior officers and important visitors. This sort of
formal, ceremonial marching came to be known in itself as a parade. If
the troops were cavalry, it was called a cavalcade.<br />
<br />
In the 18th century, "parades" were always military. Civilians held
processions or promenades, for weddings, funerals, religious feasts, and
holidays like May Day.<br />
<br />
By the mid-19th century, the distinctions began to fade. After the Civil
War, veterans groups and Ladies Auxiliaries joined military parades
held in cities and towns for holidays. Civic bands joined in, then
Temperance Leagues, Scout troops, school bands, athletes and
cheerleaders. As towns acquired fancy new equipment for their fire and
police departments, they'd shine them up to show off to the spectators.
And, naturally, all the local politicians would be in attendance,
dressed up in their best and waving flags.<br />
<br />
Parade floats supposedly got their start in the Middle Ages, when
traveling passion plays put their scenery on horse wagons. The name
"float" came from the decorated barges on the Seine during the Lord
Mayor's Show, a public holiday in London. And, of course, traveling
circuses also used floats to arouse interest in their shows. After World
War II, even the military used floats, topped by large cannons and
missiles.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi527bz3onxvaX-6iSv9Ib5q364bW1ltiG1dca8ZwTh9pRSIeNk6exJ-sUVzI0ulaXY2tgwtk-0nx0ACp84QuiPFAr05w44E3imeKyMIwFUwTZmga7vl4MoshcZpe1xEw2Qy97jJQlc4JiC/s1600/HHsheets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi527bz3onxvaX-6iSv9Ib5q364bW1ltiG1dca8ZwTh9pRSIeNk6exJ-sUVzI0ulaXY2tgwtk-0nx0ACp84QuiPFAr05w44E3imeKyMIwFUwTZmga7vl4MoshcZpe1xEw2Qy97jJQlc4JiC/s200/HHsheets.JPG" width="160" /></a>This past July 4th, we in Colonial Revelers walked in our first parade. In front of us were County Sheriff Department vehicles. Behind were kids from the local Tai Kwan Do school. The parade included all the traditional participants--high school band, church groups, fire trucks--but also motorcycle clubs, and even a paranormal investigation team.<br /><br />The best thing about the parade were all the spectators, people from all races, religions and walks of life, all smiling, cheering and waving American flags. We discovered that day that the parade in America had evolved into something that brought everyone together.<br /><br />Looking forward to next year.<br /><br />Your obedient servants,<br /><i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-36519938778210290212012-04-23T07:38:00.000-07:002012-04-23T07:38:46.666-07:00Upcoming Eventsfor the end of April, beginning of May (latest one first):<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BXTaKi8GIM0aMirXriNJOeD1N9wxoryVHsVjsBsa3_QxAA5pcf6DoE5Fb0Q77EQwS37kyHNO7DJTFv0KNPIds1ERdWANFdbzguRnk_QSo2GiiUPtRRSXcKz1HhdUTd6uqHXZ-wWaeQgs/s1600/good3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BXTaKi8GIM0aMirXriNJOeD1N9wxoryVHsVjsBsa3_QxAA5pcf6DoE5Fb0Q77EQwS37kyHNO7DJTFv0KNPIds1ERdWANFdbzguRnk_QSo2GiiUPtRRSXcKz1HhdUTd6uqHXZ-wWaeQgs/s320/good3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Saturday, May 5, 2012 11:25-11:55 am</b><br />
<div style="color: #990000;">
<b>Norristown Arts Hill Festival</b></div>
Main Stage<br />
Dekalb and Main Sts.<br />
Norristown, PA 19401<br />
<br />
Colonial Revelers will perform songs of early America in costume.<br />
<br />
The Norristown Arts Hill Festival goes from 10 am to 5 pm and includes performers in theater, dance, poetry, and all kinds of music. Vendors will be on hand selling food, crafts, and arts-related items. For info, go to <a href="http://www.norristownartshill.org/">www.norristownartshill.org</a>.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<b>Thursday, April 26, 2012 5:15-6 pm</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library</span></b><br />
<br />
Powell and Swede Sts.<br />
Norristown, PA 19401<br />
<br />
Colonial Revelers will perform as people gather for the library's <b style="color: #0b5394;">One Book-One Norristown</b> event, with author Jerry Spinelli, which will begin at 6 pm. Come early to hear us sing songs popular in the year of Norristown's founding, 1812.<br />
<br />
Visit the library website for more info: <a href="http://www.mc-npl.org/index.html">http://www.mc-npl.org/index.html</a><br />
<br />Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-88022183731455862172012-04-10T08:14:00.000-07:002012-04-10T08:14:51.392-07:00Washington, the Father of Election Freebies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjmw5CgYrSUmm2ROOid75FxZ3J-4avkQUtxky_LIXCxGU8TWgnj2tOuFIQLI4Pe-Kvm8HYFSY1KfahKbU5tNt3ZmzZP2v002iZgx41Ct42T7qtpNbQUsEIC_40NUoIYydWj_3c3YpsmoL/s1600/hogarth1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjmw5CgYrSUmm2ROOid75FxZ3J-4avkQUtxky_LIXCxGU8TWgnj2tOuFIQLI4Pe-Kvm8HYFSY1KfahKbU5tNt3ZmzZP2v002iZgx41Ct42T7qtpNbQUsEIC_40NUoIYydWj_3c3YpsmoL/s320/hogarth1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Hogarth's "An Election Entertainment"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>G</b></span>eorge Washington entered his first election campaign in 1755, when he ran for a seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses. He lost. Just as well, because he went on to serve in the French and Indian War. He didn't exactly distinguish himself, but he learned the ways of command, and that came in handy during the Revolution.<br />
<br />
In 1757, he decided to run for office again. This time he tried something different. To the polling booth in his district, he brought "a barrel of punch, 35 gals. of wine, 43 gals. of strong cider and dinner." It cost him 39 pounds, 6 shillings (about $6500 in today's money).<br />
<br />
He won the election.<br />
<br />
But the Virginia Assembly of 1699 had passed a law forbidding candidates from giving voters "money, meat, drink, or provisions" for the purpose of procuring votes. As a result of Washington's polling place buffet, the House of Burgesses further shored up the old rule by saying candidates could be disqualified for such acts.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, a lot of his fellow politicians took note of Washington's success and argued against the rule. At the time, voters (i.e. men who owned property) were required to travel to their seats of government to vote, sometimes a journey of more than one day. Thomas Jefferson argued that voters who made the trip arrived tired and hungry. And that free refreshments might encourage others to do their civic duty as well.<br />
<br />
Some states still have laws on their books against "voter bribery." Wisconsin has a law that a candidate or anyone campaigning for the candidate may not give voters anything that costs more than one dollar. Yet politicians there ignore this law all the time, most recently Governor Romney and US Rep Paul Ryan when they handed out sub sandwiches in excess of $3 each before the last primary.<br />
<br />
So we can thank our forefathers for starting this tradition, and the Virginia House of Burgesses for never really enforcing it.<br />
<br />
Your servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-77507821729628613102012-03-12T10:57:00.000-07:002012-03-12T10:57:35.744-07:00The American Confederation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaicBCq-O-MRyTo-13ZdIOa7OmldFUPCWhdVLwuNyA7xUw270JhswR-UtpeiSrg-7GRNHAgorvHSjOh1wJYVlj__36aklRLinUQz6DFyMaI6vUf5hz5ZuszrIgcgJCfRRzpAwgsZrTTew/s1600/Articles+of+Confederation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaicBCq-O-MRyTo-13ZdIOa7OmldFUPCWhdVLwuNyA7xUw270JhswR-UtpeiSrg-7GRNHAgorvHSjOh1wJYVlj__36aklRLinUQz6DFyMaI6vUf5hz5ZuszrIgcgJCfRRzpAwgsZrTTew/s320/Articles+of+Confederation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i style="color: #0b5394;">"The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different states in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several states...</i>"<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span></b>n March of 1781, the Articles of Confederation were adopted, the first document seeking to control the chaos of a king-less government. The Articles were adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, but took more than 3 years for the states to approve. Our first clue that democracy would be a slow process.<br />
<br />
The Articles mostly stated that the states would run themselves as nearly separate countries. Only certain interstate issues were covered, such as the rights of citizens to cross into and trade with other states. From the quote above, we see that all free inhabitants were entitled to all privileges and immunities, unless you were a slave, indentured servant, fugitive, vagabond, or poor. Then again, that's more rights than granted by the original Constitution. Yet, since the Articles said that states ran themselves, the states themselves could revoke these rights anytime they wished. The Articles provided for no Federal Government, so no enforcement of the document was possible. The Articles had no real teeth.<br />
<br />
In May of 1787, the states sent representatives to Philadelphia with the intention of rewriting and fixing the Articles of Confederation. Within six weeks, the convention had decided to scrap the document and draw up another, completely reorganizing the government. This new document, of course, became the United States Constitution. This time, approval was fairly quick. Ratification took place in June of 1788.<br />
<br />
Still, it took nearly a year for enough representatives to make their way to New York City (then the national capital) to reach a quorum in the House. Their first session began, appropriately, April 1, 1789. The Senate was slower. By April 6, only 9 of 22 senators were present. This didn't stop them from voting in a president, though. Luckily, they picked George Washington.<br />
<br />
Your obedient servants,<br />
HHHistorical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-55901248985617716282012-02-07T06:49:00.000-08:002012-02-07T06:49:41.745-08:00Happy Birthday, General Washington!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFpRe4qAaGYGHuRoOZYPNH7gJC1fvamicBuycE520guTbg0_3T3_4HWgSCGYcArvJJUtgm2yYQwVNcAIpqaiQg_r3VexB4VpQ9kh2qoSJtJJ4Nmzjk6Z32NlFXfEG_UcLF_o0Nikk5WW5/s1600/2005GWBall_C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFpRe4qAaGYGHuRoOZYPNH7gJC1fvamicBuycE520guTbg0_3T3_4HWgSCGYcArvJJUtgm2yYQwVNcAIpqaiQg_r3VexB4VpQ9kh2qoSJtJJ4Nmzjk6Z32NlFXfEG_UcLF_o0Nikk5WW5/s320/2005GWBall_C.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQP7Sklx4E8-jPywiLNVdzLmTTjQNcmVfrsYa0VbLF8gLfHRTX6V7biObgjD3DE-r5T5Q_q1wFrLeu3wIuU08VYtCt1X3CCREK65or_vaCdEfV_KF__rKSkvKwV9uctHBz-OoLDCA1fX5/s1600/Gregorian+Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span>sk any school child (at least, those who understand the difference between President's Day and presidents' birthdays) and you'll be told Washington was born on February 22nd. Not true. He was actually born on February 11th.<br />
<br />
During the Renaissance, astronomers throughout Europe discovered that the Julian calendar being used was inaccurate. Pope Gregory was finally persuaded to made adjustments, and most nations switched to the new Gregorian calendar in the 1500s. England did not.<br />
<br />
By 1752, not only did this discrepancy make England and its colonies look hopelessly backward, it created havoc with trade relations, so King George II brought his country up to date by eliminating 11 days from the calendar. September 2, 1752 was followed by September 14, 1752. Many Britains objected to this, and in fact, it became THE major issue for the elections of 1754, with the Tory slogan "Give Back Our 11 Days!"<br />
<br />
So, although Washington observed his 30th birthday on February 11, 1752, he would have observed his 31st birthday on February 22, 1753.<br />
<br />
This year, <b><span style="color: #990000;">Colonial Revelers</span></b> will celebrate the General's birthday, along with <b style="color: #073763;">Valley Forge National Historical Park</b>, on President's Day. Bring your family to join us for revelry, fun activities, and free cake.<br />
<br />
When: <b style="color: #cc0000;">Monday, Februrary 20, 2012</b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><b style="color: #0b5394;">10 am to 1 pm</b><br />
Where: <b style="color: #cc0000;">Valley Forge Welcome Center</b><br />
<b> <span style="color: #0b5394;">Route 23, Valley Forge, PA</span></b><br />
<br />
Your servants,<br />
HHHistorical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-9570739608770052592012-01-25T12:18:00.000-08:002012-01-25T12:18:15.236-08:00You Couldn't Drink the Water, or Could You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsslJXxwav8MNdFHPmBkpzlzxsgSAT80uu6A3MsIQAg4UREKxtSNvXEgmuPNGBM3iQwhyphenhyphenzyezFp1fMI8KfcgS46qFaMsfR-gr0sbCioPPUnRFZAvpFU3JEb2NCNPUgW2x6yr00eM-4WLN/s1600/beermaking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsslJXxwav8MNdFHPmBkpzlzxsgSAT80uu6A3MsIQAg4UREKxtSNvXEgmuPNGBM3iQwhyphenhyphenzyezFp1fMI8KfcgS46qFaMsfR-gr0sbCioPPUnRFZAvpFU3JEb2NCNPUgW2x6yr00eM-4WLN/s320/beermaking.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">"Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.</span>"</b><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Poor Richard's Almanac, 1733</span></i><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span></b>inging colonial drinking songs often leads to questions and discussions of the drinking habits of 18th century Americans, who consumed an incredible amount of beer, wine and spirits. So much so that respected persons of the time, such as Benjamin Rush and Ben Franklin, began to preach the virtues of temperance.<br />
<br />
Beer was the everyday drink, both strong (full-strength) and small (watered down). Even children were given small beer. The traditional answer as to why this was done is "The water wasn't safe."<br />
<br />
Lately I've heard some historians claim this is balderdash, that one reason colonists headed for America in the first place were reports of how clean the streams and rivers were. Colonial settlers didn't know about bacteria, per se, but they did often boil water and scald milk before ingestion, especially if the<br />
liquid seemed "befouled" (smelled bad or was oddly colored or had obvious slime).<br />
<br />
So why exactly wouldn't the water be safe? Same reason as today. Industrial pollution.<br />
<br />
As small towns and settlements sprung up along creeks and rivers, so did mills and other businesses. Anyone who needed water or water power for his trade built as close to the streams as possible. This included grist, paper, and textile mills, tanners, blacksmiths, iron furnaces, forges, saw mills, and carpenters. All of them created waste products and many of those wastes were returned to the waterway. The water could contain lime, lye, and metals, among other pollutants. Using a bit of beer to at least hide the bad taste made sense.<br />
<br />
Even if the water was safe, beer was used for basic nutrition. Doing typical 18th century farmwork, each adult could easily burn 4000 calories per day. Beer provided extra calories, nutrients and carbohydrates in a fairly easy to consume form. When the Temperance Movement started to convince people to switch from small beer to tea in the early 19th century, malnutrition was noted among farmers and other more vigorous trades.<br />
<br />
Whatever the answer, colonial Americans liked their drink, particularly beer, and wouldn't be denied it, even if that meant being creative.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">If barley be wanting to make into malt</span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><span style="color: #0b5394;">We must be contented and think it no fault</span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><span style="color: #0b5394;">For we can make liquor, to sweeten our lips,</span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><span style="color: #0b5394;">Of pumpkins and parsnips and walnut-tree chips.</span></b><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">American folk song, circa 1630</span></i><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><br />
Your servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-57450054696220876332011-12-27T04:47:00.000-08:002011-12-27T04:47:23.711-08:00An Old English Twelfth Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhMyLacbRYVRRDBzxsbbuJQ6Nn_IEi5XqRzBxhKn925i0zxo-l4iNJEjFDmuZKVKIa6H3vGzlkxmpKaMhTPK8giaW50rmUUokGy_CXSVFzkarlmR5Pt8oJYl7vcuhMnr0kE1wMjgG0x1_/s1600/TENIERS_David_the_Younger_Twelfth_Night_The_King_Drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhMyLacbRYVRRDBzxsbbuJQ6Nn_IEi5XqRzBxhKn925i0zxo-l4iNJEjFDmuZKVKIa6H3vGzlkxmpKaMhTPK8giaW50rmUUokGy_CXSVFzkarlmR5Pt8oJYl7vcuhMnr0kE1wMjgG0x1_/s320/TENIERS_David_the_Younger_Twelfth_Night_The_King_Drinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>We've told you about Twelfth Night celebrations on this <a href="http://poorrevelers.blogspot.com/2010/12/tis-season.html">blog </a>. Now, if you're in the Philadelphia area, you can experience one for yourself.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday, January 7, 2012</b></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3-5 pm</b></span></div>Summit Presbyterian Church <br />
Greene & Westview Sts.<br />
Philadelphia, PA<br />
<br />
Germantown Country Dancers will host this festive celebration of music, dance, traditional merriment, singing, laughter and, naturally, refreshments. Besides our <b><i style="color: #134f5c;">Colonial Revelers</i></b>, who will provide period seasonal songs, expect Morris dancers, country dances, and the crowning of a Twelfth Night King and Queen. Lots of audience participation. Please join us!<br />
<br />
Admission: Adults, $5; under 18, $2; family maximum, $15.<br />
For more information, call 610-645-0725 or<br />
<a href="http://www.germantowncountrydancers.org/">http://www.germantowncountrydancers.org/</a>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-36464922319788800352011-11-29T16:43:00.001-08:002011-11-29T16:54:26.831-08:002011 Holiday Events II -- Colonial Revelers & Victorian Carolers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzbgv55a0XiOogvmZj-teTqf2oNwbzJXm2fta168EUfrKO9go_Z6_N9l_eOGp4ne2A8Sj1wsyEocq2VsDmuYdKOu8pQ_4AMQA835QlVQpgZuRYtuGVbkr3wt8R7gis-St1kYxAI8S295b/s1600/vc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzbgv55a0XiOogvmZj-teTqf2oNwbzJXm2fta168EUfrKO9go_Z6_N9l_eOGp4ne2A8Sj1wsyEocq2VsDmuYdKOu8pQ_4AMQA835QlVQpgZuRYtuGVbkr3wt8R7gis-St1kYxAI8S295b/s200/vc1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
(Latest events listed first. Scroll down for more.)<br />
<b><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Monday, December 19, 5:30-7 pm</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">The "March-In" at Valley Forge</span></i></b><br />
<br />
Valley Forge National Historical Park<br />
1400 North Outer Line Drive<br />
Valley Forge PA 19406<br />
<br />
Colonial Revelers will be stationed in the Visitor Center, singing 18th century wassail songs, Christmas hymns and other period music to commemorate the day the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge in 1777. Come for the party!<br />
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Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment, from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778. Park rangers and Friends of Valley Forge will be on hand for candlelight tours, a "march" up to Muhlenberg's huts, and other 18th century festivities. Refreshments, holiday shopping and free gift wrapping will be available at the Encampment Store at the Visitor Center. Free and open to the public.<br />
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Information and directions at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/events.htm">http://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/events.htm</a> or call 610-783-1099<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Friday, December 16, 6-8:30 pm</span></b><br />
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<b><i style="color: #38761d;">Candlelight Tours</i></b><br />
The Mill at Anselma<br />
1730 Conestoga Road<br />
Chester Springs, PA<br />
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Our Victorian Carolers ensemble will regale vistors to the mill with traditional holiday songs from Charles Dickens's England.<br />
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Anselma Mill on Pickering Creek was operated as a grist mill from 1725 to 1982 and retains its Colonial era power train from 1747. In 2005, the Mill at Anselma was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, it's the most complete known example of a custom grain mill in the United States.<br />
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For further information about the mill or this event, call them at 610-827-1906, email <a href="mailto:info@anselmamill.org">info@anselmamill.org</a> or click <a href="http://www.anselmamill.org/">here</a> for their website.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Saturday, December 10, 4-6 pm</span></b><br />
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<i style="color: #38761d;"><b>Marshallton Tree Lighting</b></i><br />
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Village of Marshallton<br />
559 Northbrook Rd<br />
West Chester, PA 19382<br />
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Colonial Revelers will return to Martin's Tavern to provide holiday music for the lighting of the village tree.<br />
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Martin's Tavern, also called Center House, was built in 1764. The inn played a prominent role during the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The restored ruins of the tavern form Marshallton's village square, where a large evergreen tree is decorated with lights each year. Refreshments will be served.<br />
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Find out about Martin's Tavern events: <a href="http://taproom.martinstavern.org/">http://taproom.martinstavern.org/</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Saturday, December 3, 3-7 pm</span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="color: #38761d;"><i>Candlelight Tours of Phoenixville</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://hspa-pa.org/">Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area</a><br />
204 Church Street<br />
Phoenixville, PA 19460<br />
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As a stop on the tour, Victorian Carolers will perform in the sanctuary of the old church that serves as the Society's Headquarters. We'll be there until 5:30 pm, so come early.<br />
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Tour beautifully decorated houses and historical churches. Refreshments will be served. Advance Tickets: $20; Day of the Tour: $25. All proceeds benefit the The Phoenixville Library and The Clinic. On Saturday, meet at the Phoenixville Senior Center,153 Church St. Doors open at 2:30. For more information, call the Society at 610-935-7646. <br />
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Your Servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-40971726667692263742011-11-17T10:49:00.000-08:002011-11-17T10:49:17.252-08:002011 Holiday Events I -- Colonial Revelers(Latest events listed first. Scroll down for more.)<br />
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<b style="color: #990000;">Friday, December 2, 6-8:30 pm</b><br />
<b style="color: #134f5c;"><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><u>Holiday Stroll at Historic Yellow Sprin</u></b><u><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">gs</span></b></u><br />
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West Pikeland Cultural Center and the Lincoln Building<br />
1645 Art School Road to 1685 Art School Road<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcek6uhsJwFx-okRWoLOUu2PJggWZQRY2xsNxpCrkvwQPRtVTQGR2T_U7KIA1qpJ3pxxXKrPHWjUkSh7xUrlJh3eoJUoq3iQSzYCLSW2XUOj8sdu_JLRGDGEI1yJ0Y3Iifr-cmswvFxkt8/s1600/stroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcek6uhsJwFx-okRWoLOUu2PJggWZQRY2xsNxpCrkvwQPRtVTQGR2T_U7KIA1qpJ3pxxXKrPHWjUkSh7xUrlJh3eoJUoq3iQSzYCLSW2XUOj8sdu_JLRGDGEI1yJ0Y3Iifr-cmswvFxkt8/s200/stroll.jpg" width="200" /></a>Chester Springs, PA<br />
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Colonial Revelers will provide period music and carols at this free event, hosted by Historic Yellow Springs, Chester Springs Library and West Pikeland Township.<br />
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Beginning at the Cultural Center, with the tree lighting ceremony followed by carol singing and refreshments. Then enjoy a stroll to the Lincoln Building where holiday crafts will be enjoyed by the children. A story time with the Chester Springs Library will also highlight the festive activities planned and Santa will be there. Special food treats will be available to continue the celebration.<br />
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<a href="http://www.yellowsprings.org/holidaystroll.html">http://www.yellowsprings.org/holidaystroll.html</a> for more information.<br />
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<b style="color: #990000;">Saturday, November 26 10-4 pm</b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674Uq14HbUgwTDt0ZDltXvaZUxBR86u9uftkRPKlRupaJR8X2c6_-naBrr9COeGG-pCf2FYbbQph6hoaeJhp3fF8HdD7B07CfwcTbApVeK1_-TjJLI5cNTXCWhwNOnvEkIa3A5-372-Kf/s1600/Brandywine+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674Uq14HbUgwTDt0ZDltXvaZUxBR86u9uftkRPKlRupaJR8X2c6_-naBrr9COeGG-pCf2FYbbQph6hoaeJhp3fF8HdD7B07CfwcTbApVeK1_-TjJLI5cNTXCWhwNOnvEkIa3A5-372-Kf/s200/Brandywine+sm.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcek6uhsJwFx-okRWoLOUu2PJggWZQRY2xsNxpCrkvwQPRtVTQGR2T_U7KIA1qpJ3pxxXKrPHWjUkSh7xUrlJh3eoJUoq3iQSzYCLSW2XUOj8sdu_JLRGDGEI1yJ0Y3Iifr-cmswvFxkt8/s1600/stroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<u><br />
<b style="color: #134f5c;">Brandywine Battlefield Patriots Day</b></u><br />
1491 Baltimore Pike<br />
Chadds Ford, Pa 19317<br />
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Adults: $6, Seniors: $4<br />
Youth/Student: $3, Under 5: Free<br />
10% holiday discount in the Museum Shop<br />
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Colonial Revelers will sing and stroll the grounds for this all-day event. Living history regiments will present firing and medical demonstrations, 18th century sutlers will sell all sorts of goods and baked items, plus you can tour the historic buildings and museum.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://www.brandywinebattlefield.org/calendar_of_events">battlefield calendar</a> for more info.<br />
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On September 11, 1777, Washington's troops met the British and Hessians under General Howe at Brandywine for the largest battle of the Revolution.<br />
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Your humble servants,<br />
HHHistorical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-22960873055218045182011-10-28T08:00:00.000-07:002011-10-28T08:00:01.671-07:00The Pennsylvania Packet - Facebook of the American Revolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88p8tmgVXrKI97sG5QYJz2DsecFvumVZJTs8pdpszkleOILrOCI8ilIqUmZ3cNOCAJtppIxM8u0P7Zcq8Ry-RwJaj8EpIqRJkiSfBq5FVUkFcxh9YjaFg0w03deLzs6gi02sA1spn_NJz/s1600/1771_Pennsylvania_Packet_Oct28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88p8tmgVXrKI97sG5QYJz2DsecFvumVZJTs8pdpszkleOILrOCI8ilIqUmZ3cNOCAJtppIxM8u0P7Zcq8Ry-RwJaj8EpIqRJkiSfBq5FVUkFcxh9YjaFg0w03deLzs6gi02sA1spn_NJz/s320/1771_Pennsylvania_Packet_Oct28.JPG" width="195" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: #ffd966; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To the free and independent ELECTORS of the City of PHILADELPHIA.</span></div><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"> </span><br style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><div style="background-color: #ffd966; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. . The custom has been to deny the right of voting to all persons who have come from Germany, &c. until they have been naturalized, and taken such oaths as men now-a-days much object to; and what seems peculiar to this city alone, all men below the estate of fifty pounds are precluded. Now I must profess myself of the Forester’s opinion, that every man in the country who manifests a disposition to venture his all for the defence of its Liberty, should have a voice in its Councils. . . .</span></div><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"> </span><br style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From an open letter published on April 29, 1776 in <i>Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet</i></span></span><br style="background-color: #f1c232; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="background-color: #f1c232; color: black;"> <span style="background-color: white;"></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span>n this day of protests and rebellions organized through Facebook and other online resources, we wonder how something like the American Revolution could have ever been organized and the word spread.<br />
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Every city in early America had a newpaper. These periodicals were small, usually 3 or 4 columns, only one page, and published at most a few times a week. They didn't have investigative reporters, but they would print just about any document brought in to them. These papers were delivered to those who could read and afford subscriptions, but were also read aloud in taverns and other gathering places.<br />
<br />
In the 1770s, John Dunlap printed his <i>Pennsylvania Packet</i> three times a week. In 1780, he joined forces with David Claypoole who eventually took over publication. In 1784, the <i>Packet </i>became America's first daily newspaper.<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjd5Y_ILr7VPiOnpJyV0pWwbgKiD3RqMNKxK9RclLjaHKynFfPizzFfF4z8YLjbCzz-md9Ugrjvbkwtw2RBmS4rqSuywFK-V47hxiSCsb66H50Zn3Lu3iSd54U3Z3ylXWueeZDOwD0n1p/s1600/doi+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjd5Y_ILr7VPiOnpJyV0pWwbgKiD3RqMNKxK9RclLjaHKynFfPizzFfF4z8YLjbCzz-md9Ugrjvbkwtw2RBmS4rqSuywFK-V47hxiSCsb66H50Zn3Lu3iSd54U3Z3ylXWueeZDOwD0n1p/s320/doi+sm.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span>The<i> Pennsylvania Packet</i> was the first paper to print <i>The Declaration of Independence </i>on July 8, 1776 and, in 1787, the first to print <i>The United States Constitution</i>. Throughout the Revolution, Dunlap printed open letters, such as the one above. Many of Thomas Paine's letters were published, which he frequently signed "Common Sense" or merely, "C.S." Paine's essay <i>Common Sense</i> was originally printed as a brochure, but the full text appeared in the <i>Packet</i> at the end of the war.<br />
<br />
Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration, wrote many essays and poems for the <i>Packet</i>. His "Battle of the Kegs", a parody describing events of British-occupied Philadelphia, was published in March of 1778 and his tribute to General Washington, titled "A Toast" came out the next month.<br />
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"A Toast" can be heard on Colonial Revelers 1st CD, <i><span style="color: #990000;">Revelry, Reflection & Revolution</span></i>, along with "God Save Our Thirteen States," printed in the <i>Pennsylvania Packet</i> in 1779.<br />
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Your humble servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-54101693058160402482011-09-26T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-26T08:27:05.457-07:00October 2011 Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1whfLIoG5vdHrT2_I7wweYqs6ChOKjToZVb_3VLR6uvd_2jANRBX0mhvlMaVZ_X9R_4HSrgQv3abqMqZHAyGcJhZmcqR7ZxiYV8Zvk0TpVnPZ7brDfkelFrqnWpuvnKz3iL2HWV7GbXQh/s1600/Newlin+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1whfLIoG5vdHrT2_I7wweYqs6ChOKjToZVb_3VLR6uvd_2jANRBX0mhvlMaVZ_X9R_4HSrgQv3abqMqZHAyGcJhZmcqR7ZxiYV8Zvk0TpVnPZ7brDfkelFrqnWpuvnKz3iL2HWV7GbXQh/s200/Newlin+sm.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>(latest first)<br />
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<b style="color: #cc0000;">Saturday, October 8, 9 am - 4 pm - FREE</b><br />
<b>Downingtown Friends Fall Festival</b><br />
800 Lancaster Avenue<br />
Downingtown, PA<br />
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Colonial Revelers will perform at noon - a lunchtime concert of songs popular between 1700 and 1800.<br />
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In 1774, John Downing donated land for the Lionville Friends to build a school. Friends around "Downing's Town" were granted permission to meet at the school in 1784. In 1806, Jenu Roberts donated land for the building of a meetinghouse for Downingtown Friends.<br />
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For more information about Downingtown Friends and this event, click <a href="http://downingtownfriendsmeeting.org/festivalnews.htm">here</a>, phone 610-269-4223 or email <a href="mailto:info@downingtownfriendsmeeting.org">info@downingtownfriendsmeeting.org</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Saturday, October 1, 10 pm - 4 pm - FREE</span></b><br />
<b>Newlin Mill Fall Festival</b><br />
219 South Cheyney Rd<br />
Glen Mills, PA<br />
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Colonial Revelers will perform two sets of period music at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Also on hand will be living history and craft demonstrations and tours of the house and mill.<br />
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Newlin Mill is the oldest operating grist mill in Pennsylvania. It was built by Nathaniel Newlin in 1704, the third mill built on the site by the Newlin family, who had come to America in 1683. The mill was run by the Newlins until 1817, then by other owners through 1941. A descendent of the Newlin family bought it in 1958 and began restoring it to its 18th century appearance. Besides the mill, this living history site has two houses, an office, a barn and a grain storage building.<br />
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For more information about the park, its history, and this event click <a href="http://www.newlingristmill.org/index.html">here</a> , email<br />
<a href="mailto:info@newlingristmill.org">info@newlingristmill.org</a> or call 610-459-2359.Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-22098774418594572512011-08-27T07:54:00.000-07:002011-08-27T07:54:32.186-07:00September 2011 Events<br />
(latest first)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sunday, September 18, Noon-4 pm</span></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKLO8KWg9ZuWezQKu9Ae7C6Zez4VAbFSguxszYsGZqWAH-w6v0BDdx65mrAJipPz_LNPb8kWyPSlGr7eSqDlPYIHxlwQ9m0vZXockoNQ0twn7QHs2WRJQjRXjSCwNaAhtbpKl00p9kHaT/s1600/manahawkin+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKLO8KWg9ZuWezQKu9Ae7C6Zez4VAbFSguxszYsGZqWAH-w6v0BDdx65mrAJipPz_LNPb8kWyPSlGr7eSqDlPYIHxlwQ9m0vZXockoNQ0twn7QHs2WRJQjRXjSCwNaAhtbpKl00p9kHaT/s200/manahawkin+sm.JPG" width="200" /></a><b><br style="color: #cc0000;" /><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Stafford Heritage Picnic</span></b><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"> Manahawkin Lake Park</span><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"> 49 West Bay Ave</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">(Rte 9 and Main Sts)</span><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"> Manahawkin, NJ</span><br />
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Colonial Revelers will stroll around the lake and sing at this great multi-era living history event.<br />
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In the early part of the decade, Stafford Heritage Days took up a whole weekend and included a reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Bridge, the last engagement of the Revolution (darn those New Jersey loyalists!). Living history groups of all eras showed up, including colonial pirates, temperance ladies, a vintage baseball team, and the most eerily realistic General Grant, Chamberlain and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln you'd ever want to meet. Then the recession hit, resources were limited and the project was put on hold. This year, we're glad to see a comeback. Come out and join us. It's always fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yx_V76zYMEpIgfoJ35iSFvbuRZ8tuvOrntcgNNtuzlWA48D2lz9E-IgiPWycOs8shuGFP_gSdM8lixEzayF-Uv3GEsHh96P9TCcJpSSiiyEeCMgEy4jeOgdRawT7Fg7lJMPaJhLXlm5p/s1600/Brandywine+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, September 11, 11 am - 3 pm</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Battle of Brandywine Reenactment</span></b><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;">Brandywine Battlefield</span><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;">Rou</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yx_V76zYMEpIgfoJ35iSFvbuRZ8tuvOrntcgNNtuzlWA48D2lz9E-IgiPWycOs8shuGFP_gSdM8lixEzayF-Uv3GEsHh96P9TCcJpSSiiyEeCMgEy4jeOgdRawT7Fg7lJMPaJhLXlm5p/s1600/Brandywine+sm.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yx_V76zYMEpIgfoJ35iSFvbuRZ8tuvOrntcgNNtuzlWA48D2lz9E-IgiPWycOs8shuGFP_gSdM8lixEzayF-Uv3GEsHh96P9TCcJpSSiiyEeCMgEy4jeOgdRawT7Fg7lJMPaJhLXlm5p/s200/Brandywine+sm.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #134f5c;">te 1</span><br style="color: #134f5c;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;">Chadds Ford, PA</span><br />
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Colonial Revelers will provide period music in the living history area whenever guns and cannons are silent.<br />
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The Battle of Brandywine took place on September 11, 1777 and was the largest battle of American Revolution, with Washington's forces numbering about 15,000 and the British with perhaps 17,000 troops. Washington held a decent position on the hills above the Brandywine Creek, but he was in a loyalist/pacifist neighborhood. Deliberate misinformation, poor communication, bad reconnaissance and inexperienced soldiers all contributed to the American defeat, yet they were able to retreat to Chester and regroup. The British were hampered by the heat of the day and the length of time they took to march around the American flank to ford the creek.<br />
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Come tour Washington's and Lafayette's Headquarters, view living history demonstrations, eat colonial food and, of course, hear Colonial Revelers sing.<br />
Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-82865852802250736912011-08-03T05:27:00.000-07:002011-08-03T05:27:43.230-07:00In The Good Old Colony Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXfRCwDXzFwsvo1s3hv5syw6XdRrP8hHfsTG_IdYPFcYk5WA-i2tPcbvPFQl2Yf0EQZ2jm4smCV3QE2sV08SB7C4Vb9V5atABkKHD4KAGYgqdhH9Du106mu7LrR35Yogjw-Rdm2vNsZkG/s1600/AofC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXfRCwDXzFwsvo1s3hv5syw6XdRrP8hHfsTG_IdYPFcYk5WA-i2tPcbvPFQl2Yf0EQZ2jm4smCV3QE2sV08SB7C4Vb9V5atABkKHD4KAGYgqdhH9Du106mu7LrR35Yogjw-Rdm2vNsZkG/s320/AofC.JPG" width="201" /></a></div>by Elena Santangelo<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span></b>etween the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution eleven years later, the United States had no federal government and no federal taxes. A Tea Partyers dream.<br />
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Only a loose Confederation held the states together. Each state had its own laws, ways of raising revenue, and even its own paper currency. Then again, not many folks wanted the bills anyway. The only money worth anything was gold and silver coins, and they were hard won. In those years, after fighting an expensive war, the country was broke and in its first economic depression.<br />
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Many of the soldiers who fought in the Continental Army weren't given their back pay or pensions. The states had their own militias to worry about. Greedy men took advantage of the situation, like the Morrises, who held a monopoly in trade agreements for tobacco.<br />
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Here's an old 17th century song that resurged in popularity during that decade:<br />
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<div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><i>In the Good Old Colony Days<br />
When we lived under the king,<br />
Lived a miller and a weaver and a little tailor--<br />
Three jolly rogues of Lynn.</i></div><br />
The first line says it all. In the 1780s, lots of folks lamented the "good old colony days" before the Revolution. The song goes on to tell how the miller stole corn, the weaver stole yarn, and "the little tailor, he stole broadcloth for to keep the three rogues warm." The poor and working classes in America could more than identify with the rogues' need to provide themselves with food and clothing.<br />
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However, all sinners must be punished so<br />
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<div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><i>The miller drowned in his dam,</i><br />
<i>And the weaver hung in his yarn,</i><br />
<i>And the Devil laid his Claw on the little tailor</i><br />
<i>With the broadcloth under his arm.</i></div><br />
Eventually, though, the Constitution provided for a strong and flexible Federal government and decent trade with Europe was established, bringing Americans fancy French imports like flannel, denin and corduroy (giving little tailors a wider choice of fabrics).<br />
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Still, while the America of the 1780s wasn't the government-less Utopia some citizens envision today, there was no Capitol Hill, and no Congress as we now know it. So how bad could it have been?Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-41430426691898751142011-07-01T07:56:00.000-07:002011-07-01T07:56:38.185-07:00EVENTS<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, July 3 at 9:30 am</b></span><br />
St. Matthews United Methodist Church of Valley Forge<br />
600 Walker Road<br />
Wayne, PA 19087<br />
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On the eve of the anniversary of our Independency, Colonial Revelers will perform the music of Mr. William Billings and Mr. John Cole during Sunday morning services at St. Matthews.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuW6MteRj_w4_CDXIKDoygwYM430XhzniXWD7IVbMJgZRSU9ONF_y2JR3QSktZA6jZULb5abpLeKQx99UQN_VnZaGqlwEHUCrydip7ngePVb2Tkm6dL-q96SeW2CUfR1SKQIY78NPhTC6/s1600/house_pic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuW6MteRj_w4_CDXIKDoygwYM430XhzniXWD7IVbMJgZRSU9ONF_y2JR3QSktZA6jZULb5abpLeKQx99UQN_VnZaGqlwEHUCrydip7ngePVb2Tkm6dL-q96SeW2CUfR1SKQIY78NPhTC6/s1600/house_pic.jpg" /></a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, July 30, 10-4</span></b><br />
Frederick Muhlenberg House<br />
151 W. Main Street <br />
Trappe, PA 19426<br />
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Colonial Revelers will provide 18th century songs from 11 to 1 at the Speaker's House Living History Day, a BBQ fundraiser for the restoration of the Frederick Muhlenberg House. Lunch will be pork BBQ, cole slaw, corn-on-the-cob and soft drink. Activities include colonial cooking, music, spinning, dying, weaving, blacksmithing, woodworking, military demonstrations and tours of the house. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for children under 6.<br />
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Frederick Muhlenberg became the first U.S. Congress Speaker of the House in 1789. The house was built in 1760 and purchased by Muhlenberg in 1781. He was born and grew up in Trappe. The house of his father, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, has also been restored by the Trappe Historical Society. Henry was a Lutheran pastor sent to Pennsylvania in the 18th century as a missionary. Besides Frederick, his sons included Major General Peter Muhlenberg of the Continental Army. Sons-in-law were also generals and politicians, and one grandson became Governor of Pennsylvania.<br />
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For more information, call 610-489-2105 or email <a href="mailto:info@speakershouse.org">info@speakershouse.org</a><br />
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FYI: The Keystone Grange Fair is the same day, not far away on West 1st Avenue, 9 am-7 pm. Come and spend the whole day in Trappe!<br />
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We would be pleased to see you this month.<br />
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Your humble servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-79417566151096858912011-06-10T06:46:00.000-07:002011-06-10T06:46:21.388-07:00If You Can't Stand The Heat...<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Hide not your talents, they for use were made.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> What's a sun-dial in the shade?</span></i>"</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Benjamin Franklin, <i>Poor Richard's Almanack</i></span></span></div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb1T9GeTCtPcA6iMHttQJTvyZDDXUqViW3qBEkbs0O813qhKipBSkQomOSp1Upvx_yNZRP01apXhq682WTsQAb4HEeZvpt8qd5qU-vwPahseZytaOJpSzNuQlNXIEesBmXZG5FxDjt7GG/s1600/sundial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb1T9GeTCtPcA6iMHttQJTvyZDDXUqViW3qBEkbs0O813qhKipBSkQomOSp1Upvx_yNZRP01apXhq682WTsQAb4HEeZvpt8qd5qU-vwPahseZytaOJpSzNuQlNXIEesBmXZG5FxDjt7GG/s200/sundial.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>D</b></span>ear Patrons,</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A suitable reply to the above question today might well be that a</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">sun-dial in the shade would be cooler.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In an effort to provide relief to ourselves and our readers, we</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">list here time-tested methods of dealing with the summer heat.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. If you must labor outside, a fresh, damp cabbage leaf placed</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'twixt cap and head will keep you cooler. This is a centuries </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">old method, most recently employed famously by a ballplayer named </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Babe Ruth. Change the leaf every few hours.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Dig a hole. On a hot summer's day, the bottom of a 6 foot</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">hole will be at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the top. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For those who shy from this solution, likening it to being laid</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">untimely in their graves, perhaps use the hole only to store </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">perishable food. Add a large chunk of ice, well-salted and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">wrapped in flannel, and your milk, butter, and fresh meat will</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">keep well.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Should digging a hole prove strenuous in the heat, you may</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">lower your jugs of milk and such to the bottom of your well with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the same results.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. For those fortunate to have a cellar beneath their homes,</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'tis a fine, cool place to dwell on a warm afternoon, all the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">more so if no one thinks to look for you there. Bring a book and</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a few pints of good ale (chilled first in the well) to help pass </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the hours. If discretion is unnecessary, leave the book above </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and bring your friends below for an afternoon of song.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Your humble servants,</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HH</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" />Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-4431956319944592342011-05-03T08:10:00.000-07:002011-05-03T08:10:47.938-07:00Weaving the Maypole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HlO_nxrB0SgxnauFrMWNzllAPd6z_FF6PjkEzFB0myPZdat-H2HQKK6xJCvioh8Ske8nNfP1bOQVzllbAqQXaooXav7CqYINfvgoJIbityMDoUxiUBJapzAdijjlVHMMG3iYdaZ6NmPA/s1600/maypoletall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HlO_nxrB0SgxnauFrMWNzllAPd6z_FF6PjkEzFB0myPZdat-H2HQKK6xJCvioh8Ske8nNfP1bOQVzllbAqQXaooXav7CqYINfvgoJIbityMDoUxiUBJapzAdijjlVHMMG3iYdaZ6NmPA/s320/maypoletall.JPG" width="94" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">by Elena Santangelo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span></b>hen I was a kid, and I saw photos of people dancing around a Maypole while holding brightly colored ribbons, I thought it looked pretty silly. Oh, I didn't have anything against folk dancing--in fact, I liked it. I grew up in an Italian family and we all learned to do the Tarantella at weddings. But I didn't get why you needed a pole or a piece of ribbon to hold onto. Why not just dance? Of course, I'd never actually seen a Maypole dance performed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I finally witnessed, then participated in May Day celebrations, I came to understand that the dance, though fun, was only a means to an end. The steps are fairly easy. Children and awkward adults like myself can do them, and often do, because something about Maypole dancing makes you want to join in. But the gist of the whole thing is to take those ribbons and plait them around the pole, or create a web away from the pole, using only the dance moves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The great thing is, preteen boys will dance with girls because they concentrate more on making the pattern than on getting cooties.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8LTJ-_W0i6RASPhNSEXEmFiV90dxjSdxqUCWOSyvsbmQNs8ZEN1PQGJxUXeQrO6h-HGX3klKyEWG4tUrRk7K7DkNYmQ7L1niHNEvzahY19oivDm9s0clsxEBvZWTL71r98rLxxrcFPss/s1600/maypole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8LTJ-_W0i6RASPhNSEXEmFiV90dxjSdxqUCWOSyvsbmQNs8ZEN1PQGJxUXeQrO6h-HGX3klKyEWG4tUrRk7K7DkNYmQ7L1niHNEvzahY19oivDm9s0clsxEBvZWTL71r98rLxxrcFPss/s1600/maypole4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider's Web</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the simplest Maypole dance, the Grand Chain, every other person around the pole clockwise while the rest go counterclockwise, alternately ducking under ribbons and lifting theirs over the next person. Dancers can walk, skip or do a polka step. In a variation called Barber's Pole, every other person stands still while the others move clockwise, then they switch and the second group goes counterclockwise. Dances such as Spider's Web, Gypsy's Tent, Jacob's Ladder and Pyramid form out-from-the-pole patterns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've seen Maypole dances where, once the dancers are holding their ribbons out and taut, a green wreath is placed over the top of the pole. As the plait is formed, the wreath moves down the pole. If the dancers reverse their steps, the wreath moves back up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Below is a video of kids weaving a Maypole. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LOsC9FebA4A?rel=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Historical Harmonies note</span></b>: <span style="color: #38761d;">Our May Revelers troupe will perform and teach Maypole dances anywhere we have room to set up our pole</span></i><i><span style="color: #38761d;">. If you're within a few hours drive of the Philadelphia area and would like to host a workshop or May Day celebration next year, please contact us at</span> <a href="mailto:historicalharmonies@gmail.com">historicalharmonies@gmail.com</a></i> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Your humble servants,</div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HH</span></i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-70935426723664994032011-04-02T06:50:00.000-07:002011-04-02T06:52:54.546-07:00Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgwmIOFzJpvOvEGVh0X-GENpLcfsWm6J4EXmRtKYfSbmWRFXfEiRTxQUXIRjt1uBEGovMDR7qPEkU1hrA7oTMbWjbrV3_GHPlPLByZ6aYDltgT5HU7VmT4vqF6GQ0DkzFJKs-8zJdCtqJ/s1600/francis-hopkinson-1-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgwmIOFzJpvOvEGVh0X-GENpLcfsWm6J4EXmRtKYfSbmWRFXfEiRTxQUXIRjt1uBEGovMDR7qPEkU1hrA7oTMbWjbrV3_GHPlPLByZ6aYDltgT5HU7VmT4vqF6GQ0DkzFJKs-8zJdCtqJ/s200/francis-hopkinson-1-sized.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span></b>ost Americans don't recognize the name of Francis Hopkinson. Some know enough to state that he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Beyond that, he's been more or less lost to</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">history, but this patriot ranks right up there with Franklin,</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jefferson, Hancock and Washington.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hopkinson was born and died in Philadelphia, and lived part of his life in New Jersey, representing that colony in Congress. He was in the first graduating class of the College of Philadelphia (which merged with the University of Penn in 1791), then studied</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">law. He also served on the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation. Besides becoming a lawyer, statesman, and jurist, he's been described as "a mathematician, a chemist, a physicist, a mechanic, an inventor, a musician and a composer of music, a man of literary knowledge and practice, a writer of airy and dainty songs, a clever artist with pencil and brush and a</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">humorist of unmistakable power" (Tyler, <i>Literary History of the</i></span><i> </i><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>American Revolution</i>).</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's as a writer and musician that we'll discuss him here. He is credited with being America's first secular poet-composer, having published his first song in 1759 at the age of 21. Hopkinson</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">also became well-known for his essays, many of which were</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">satirical, such as his "Typographical Method of conducting a Quarrel" and "Essay on White Washing."</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He combined his songwriting and satires during the Revolution to produce works such as "The Treaty," "The New Roof: A Song for Federal Mechanics," and "The Battle of the Kegs." The latter song was set to Yankee Doodle and comically described an incident</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">that took place in January of 1779, when the British occupied Philadelphia. The Continental forces were experimenting with</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">floating mines made from powder kegs. They sent them down river</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">toward the city in an attempt to damage the British ships docked</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">there. Redcoats were dispatched to shoot at the kegs, to set them off before they could do harm. Hopkinson's song told of the brave British troops valiantly waging war against the kegs. Here's a verse:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The royal band now ready stand,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All ranged in dread array, sir,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With stomachs stout to see it out,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And make a bloody day, sir.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The cannons roar from shore to shore,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The small arms make a rattle;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since wars began, I'm sure no man</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">E'er saw so strange a battle.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">About the same time, Hopkinson wrote a tribute to Washington entitled "A Toast."</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'Tis Washington's Health,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fill a bumper around,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For he is our glory and pride;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our arms shall in battle with</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Conquest be crowned,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whilst virtue and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He's on our side.</span></div><br />
<div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"A Toast" can be heard on Colonial Revelers CD <b><i style="color: #cc0000;">Revelry,</i></b></span><b><i> </i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i style="color: #cc0000;">Reflection and Revolution</i></b>. See our <a href="http://www.historicalharmonies.org/CD1.htm">website</a> for details.</span></div><div style="color: black;"></div><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As always, your humble servants,</span><br />
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HH</span></i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-32978828019511813672011-03-02T05:27:00.000-08:002011-03-02T05:27:35.313-08:00Down with Tyrants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyET_aWtz0eGced1ZoEIuZD3k0__mCRxRKjiQXfk7j3OBitNvoYQ5fmejShzzfinQ3jiJKaZeyjb6SAYp96KiHH74IjJ1Dg7p-cX_YNSnQ6QT40sFrAUpc_CYTu9XFDEg4MCSF5AnkJHF/s1600/tyrant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyET_aWtz0eGced1ZoEIuZD3k0__mCRxRKjiQXfk7j3OBitNvoYQ5fmejShzzfinQ3jiJKaZeyjb6SAYp96KiHH74IjJ1Dg7p-cX_YNSnQ6QT40sFrAUpc_CYTu9XFDEg4MCSF5AnkJHF/s320/tyrant.JPG" width="304" /></a></div><div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Benjamin Franklin, 1776</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he words above were suggested by Benjamin Franklin for the motto to be placed on the Great Seal of the United States. Six years and three committees later, in 1782, the seal we know of today was adopted, sporting the tamer motto "E Pluribus Unum" or "Out of many, one."<br />
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One month ago, most Americans might have had a difficult time bending their brains around what "rebellion to tyrants" actually involved. Now we've seen it in Egypt, Libya and other parts of Middle East. More than 60% of Americans polled think we're seeing it in Wisconsin.<br />
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Still, most of us are surprised to learn that in the 18th century, most folks had less notion of how to rebel against tyranny than we modern Americans do. Sure, uprisings had occured since the dawn of time, often by the oppressed poor who got tired of being dictated to by the rich who hoarded all the wealth. Until 1776, though, you didn't hear much about groups of wealthy, learned men who told their king, "Sorry, we've had enough of not having a say in what you're doing to us, so we're going to form our own country and a democracy at that." Of course, their idea of a democracy didn't include the non-wealthy, non-male or non-white, but it was a step away from tyranny, at least.<br />
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People got behind the idea of democracy. Who wouldn't? So they wrote songs about standing up against tyranny.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>We'll fear no tyrant's nod,</i><br />
<i> Nor stern oppression's rod,</i><br />
<i> 'Til time's no more.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(from <b>God Save Our Thirteen States</b>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ___<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Come join hand in hand, brave Americans all,<br />
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call;<br />
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,<br />
Nor stain with dishonor America's name.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(from <b>The Liberty Song</b>)</span><br />
___<br />
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<i>Let tyrants shake their iron rod,<br />
And slavery clank her galling chains.<br />
We fear them not, we trust in God.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(from William Billing's <b>Chester</b>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ___<br />
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<i>Torn from a world of tyrants,<br />
Beneath this western sky,<br />
We formed a new dominion,<br />
A land of liberty.<br />
The world shall own we're masters here,<br />
Then hasten on the day:<br />
Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose<br />
for Free America.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(from <b>Free America</b>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span></div><div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><i>All tyranny needs to gain a foothold</i></div><div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><i> is for people of good conscience to remain silent.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Thomas Jefferson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span></div></div><br />
Your humble servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-37453669242503775292011-01-25T08:31:00.000-08:002011-01-25T08:31:31.583-08:00'Tis Washington's Health!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #cc0000;">Join Colonial Revelers</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #cc0000;"> in a celebration of the General's Birthday!</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where</i>: <b style="color: #0b5394;">Valley Forge National Historical Park</b><br />
<b style="color: #0b5394;"> Welcome Center</b><br />
<i>When</i>: <b style="color: #0b5394;">Monday, February 21 - 11 am to 3 pm</b></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJn5g-HsKVOmVxo-rSGr4akC1xC1vaH_RElFlxyELQMMk0rUh8amVtWBBRxejWfz2R1UJJzZOq4qbEFuJqCk5mcfeHkbYGtZtyj0SZaqPogHLg0iQtflaZGMRDcI-WKdR_CeikyiU8iM/s1600/GW1782.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJn5g-HsKVOmVxo-rSGr4akC1xC1vaH_RElFlxyELQMMk0rUh8amVtWBBRxejWfz2R1UJJzZOq4qbEFuJqCk5mcfeHkbYGtZtyj0SZaqPogHLg0iQtflaZGMRDcI-WKdR_CeikyiU8iM/s320/GW1782.jpg" width="277" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>V</b></span>alley Forge National Historical Park will present special programs all weekend, beginning Saturday, February 19 at 8 am. This will be the 99th year that the Boy Scouts of America will camp at the park. Other events include artillery, rifle, musket and medical demonstrations, programs on camp life, African-American regiments and contributions by the Oneida Indian Nation to the cause of Independence.<br />
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On Monday, the 21st, visitors will be able to meet the General and his wife at the Welcome Center, listen to music by the Colonial Revelers, and participate in children's activities. Martha Washington's original recipe Great Cake will be served. For more information, go to the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm">park's event page</a>.<br />
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Many songs were written about General Washington during the Revolution. Here is one of Colonial Revelers' favorites, penned by Francis Hopkinson (signer of the Declaration of Independence), and first published April 8, 1778 in the <i>Pennsylvania Packet.</i><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br />
A Toast</b></span><br />
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'Tis Washington's Health, fill a bumper around,<br />
For he is our glory and pride;<br />
Our arms shall in battle with conquest be crowned<br />
Whilst virtue and he's on our side.<br />
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'Tis Washington's health, loud cannons should roar<br />
And trumpets the truth should proclaim;<br />
There cannot be found, search all the world o'er,<br />
His equal in virtue and fame.<br />
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'Tis Washington's health, our hero to bless,<br />
May heaven look graciously down;<br />
Oh! long may he live, our hearts to possess,<br />
And Freedom still call him her own.<br />
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This song can be heard on our first CD:<b> <a href="http://www.historicalharmonies.org/CD1.htm">REVELRY, REFLECTION & REVOLUTION</a></b> . <br />
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Your humble servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690690162139925416.post-60665694136475749602010-12-29T06:37:00.000-08:002010-12-29T08:27:11.646-08:00'Tis The Season<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">now 1787 is Ended,</span><br style="color: #cc0000;" /><span style="color: #cc0000;">it happy is if we are mended,</span><br style="color: #cc0000;" /><span style="color: #cc0000;">God grant if not we may be.</span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Martha Ballard's diary, December 31, 1787</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx8UJwbduYrwek39yL0dXXWz4Us1FZ7-4jD1rhGFZIIGBCdzLcIKu6dj1zGJfDIAmqY3oQIrWCGiGgADnVS4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>C</b></span>hristmas in colonial America was far different from Christmas as we now know it. Almost all of our present-day customs--Santa Claus, caroling, gift-giving, the tree and extensive decorating, and even the sacred celebration of the birthday of Christ--were Victorian innovations.<br />
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Before the 19th century, Christmas was a minor religious holiday. Many Christian sects didn't celebrate it at all, partly because the actual day wasn't specified in the Bible, and also, as the Puritans put it, the season promoted drinking and debauchery. (The Puritans, in fact, outlawed Christmas.) Most stores and markets were open on the 25th. At first, only Catholics held services. Protestant churches joined in after many of their congregants began attending the Catholic masses to hear the special music of the day.<br />
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How was the season observed? The wealthy threw elaborate dinner parties. Poorer classes, knowing the rich were congregating for the Yule, went door-to-door, asking for money or food and drink in return for a wassail (that is, a toast to the health of the host and his family, often sung). Servants and workers were given coins by their employers and patrons. Some people observed customs brought over from Europe--mistletoe, the making of mince pies, a Yule log, perhaps modest decoration of the mantel with things like leaves, pine cones, or a few apples, to be eaten during the season. No one would have wasted food, let alone something like a pineapple, which very few could afford, by nailing it over the door. A poor man would have stolen the fruit before the night was out, to feed his family. In the taverns, a bowl of special punch might be prepared. And now that the harvest was done, if the roads were frozen enough for mudless travel, visiting neighbors and relatives was common. Time to hear stories (ghost tales were popular in the long nights), to sing and catch up on news and gossip.<br />
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Most Americans now consider Thanksgiving through December 25th as the Christmas season, but that's a recent development, defined by 20th century merchants. Traditionally, Yuletide is December 25th through January 6th (Epiphany--the day the Magi visited Christ). In early America, since many people were farmers whose calendars were determined by the solstices and equinoxes, Yuletide began for some on December 21.<br />
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January 6th--also called "Old Christmas"--was the 12th day of the Yuletide (you know, 12 drummers drumming?). Both its eve and the night of Epiphany have been called Twelfth Night. In colonial America, Twelfth Night was a traditional time for weddings, and for a final party before the Yule came to a close.<br />
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As for music, many lyrics of our traditional carols, such as <i>Joy To The World</i>, <i>Hark, the Herald Angels Sing</i>, and <i>While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night</i>, were sung to earlier tunes. The American composer Williams Billings wrote several fun-to-sing Christmas songs, including <i>A Virgin Unspotted</i> and <i>Methinks I See A Heavenly Host</i>. And of course, the wassails mentioned above were very popular, most using some variation of the words<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">God bless the Master of this House<br />
The Mistress also<br />
And all the little children<br />
That 'round the table go.</div><br />
One of Historical Harmonies favorite Yuletide songs is the shape-note hymn <i><b>Milford</b></i>, which was published in 1802 and most often attributed to James Stephenson. In the video, Colonial Reveler tenor Jason Gagliardi performs all 4 parts. We hope you enjoy it.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #990000;">Happy Yuletide to all!</span></b></i><br />
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Your humble servants,<br />
<i>HH</i>Historical Harmonieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189342826987844189noreply@blogger.com0