Fur Trade Era Living History

I know there are a few fur trade living historians out there, so I'm asking for some advice.

#1 good websites and books to get started. Mostly what I need I that department is wardrobe and equipment to get started as I got a good bit of info on European-Native American relations (would have done a thesis on this topic for my MA if the university allowed, they decided to cancel all the courses on the period).

#2 Good sites and resources for the minutia that is important to know, but may be difficult to find. Best and funniest example I can give is in Straight Dancing, how you wear your sash indicates A) if your single B) if you are married, and C) married but still looking. At least that is what I've been told by several reliable sources.

Thanks in advance.

I do historical reenacting and would be able to give you a few pointers along the way.

First thing I would do is seek out any adults in the area who already do this kind of thing and form up a Venturing crew for historical reenacting. This opens up the opportunity to get some gals and guys interested in doing this on a regular basis.

I find these groups very helpful in resource materials and ideas as to how to get started. I could not have gotten my Crew going without their expertise.

Then do research with the kids. Have them research clothing, camping, and equipment needed. The groups will know of events in your area that you can go to and go with the kids as spectators and have them take copious notes as to what they see. Many of the fur trader units are selling the kinds of stuff you'll need, but you have to be educated before you buy. If you buy crap to begin with, you will need to spend more getting the correct stuff later on and the crap will not be able to be sold to anyone else except people who didn't do their research in the first place.

After a couple of events, start your budget process to purchase what you need or collect up patterns for clothing and make your own stuff at a greatly reduced price. A hand-sewn shirt may cost only $5 in material but would sell for $50-$75. This extra money can then be put into equipment you can't make yourself. Also if anyone can knit along with sew, you've hit a gold mine. I know of a gal who knits and sells stocking caps that are period correct for about $75 each and is in the process of knitting two now for a customer's Christmas gift list.

Once you've figured out 1) historical research, 2) a source of income, you can then 3) begin purchasing equipment for the Crew. After 10 years of doing this, our crew has $2,000+ in their treasury and still taking orders for hand-made items that they can do in their free time.

Once you have your Crew outfitted, then you can decide on a scenerio (reason for why you are dressed and act in a certain way) and can interact with the public and draw attention to yourselves. This will open up opportunities to do historical presentations to groups in the area (schools, public, packs, troops, and other reenactment groups.)

The income from these presentation can go into purchasing more equipment and cover travel expenses to get to events further away. These presentations are a piece of cake because the kids have researched the topics and can talk freely and the better they are the more they are in demand) Just be sure that when they do a presentation they know the material accurately.

Once the kids are outfitted they can get into such things as traps, canoes, weapons, etc. that will assist in the presentations.

Down the road a ways the kids can take on certain personifications and make their presentations in the first person. This really adds to the enjoyment of the presentations, as if a real person that did this 150 years ago has come to make a presentation.

Remember, whatever "costume" the kids wear becomes the uniform of the Crew.

Ultimately, the goal is to go to an event, set up camp as if they are "in the field", cook, demonstrate, and educate the spectators in the ways the historical people they represent would have done.

I would leave the door open for other opportunities along the way. One might have a Crew that is not restricted to just the Fur Trade Era. With the equipment already have could expand into the French and Indian Wars or Colonial America without much more equipment. This opens up all kinds of new research and activities to the kids.

Feel free to contact me off forum for any specific questions you might have.

It's a fascinating opportunity for kids and because of it's educational as well as fun opportunities, you will attract some high caliber kids when they come forward.

Stosh

CA, US History Crew #2, BSA

Thanks for the input. To be honest this is more personal interest than scouting related. BUT the idea has come up somewhat at OA chapter meetings. One person in the lodge does reenacting, and i'll be talkign to him in March, and the discussion to make capotes for the chapter has come up as a chapter project. Someone mentioned reenacting, and it has been on my mind since.

As a re enactor of the early fur trade era, these are the sources that use....

Smoke and Fire

http://www.smoke-fire.com/

Ghost Forge

http://www.ghostforge.com/

Jas Townsend

http://jas-townsend.com/index.php

Musket Mart

http://www.musketmart.com/

Clearwater

http://www.clearwaterhats.com/default.htm

Track of the Wolf

http://www.trackofthewolf.com

as a heads up....capotes are the poor man's justicorp. The capotes seen on the net are historically wrong. Here's how they should look...

http://www.mayberryfineart.com/artist/cornelius_krieghoff/

http://www.mayberryfineart.com/artwork/1294/(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

My crew started out as a personal project I DID NOT want to do. I tried everything I could to get out of it. My DE kept pressuring me to come up with an idea for a Venturing crew and whatever excuse I came up with he countered. Once my excuses ran out, I formed the crew and it's been active for over 10 years now.

When it comes to OA and their outfits, they seem to do whatever it takes to make it look close. Unfortunately a little time and effort along with some research, one could a lot better job coming up with appropriate clothing for the lodge.

Like le Voyageur suggests, get the correct stuff! Unless you're portraying a Mandan Indians, blonde hair and blue eyes just don't cut it. There's a lot ways one can go to improve the image of OA Indian traditions and hokie isn't one of them.

Stosh

In reference to the OA, I am working on it. The chapter a few years back decided to go local, specifically Tuscarora as that nation lived here prior to moving back to NYS and our chapter name is Tuscaroran. Problem is that the Plains Indian look is so persuasive that it ti svery hard to counter it, at least in my neck of the woods.

Sounds like a nice research project for the boys. May lead to a greater appreciation to the culture they're trying to portray. Just remember the Colonial era (1700's) and even the Woodland Indians (Early 1800's) were far different than those of the Plains (Late 1800's). The Golden Age of the fur trade you referred to would be the late 1700's to early 1800's and would encompass more of the Woodland culture. Have fun with it, sounds like a nice project. Keep me posted!

Stosh

Like le Voyageur suggests, get the correct stuff! Unless you're portraying a Mandan Indians, blonde hair and blue eyes just don't cut it. There's a lot ways one can go to improve the image of OA Indian traditions and hokie isn't one of them. jblake47

Believe it or not, it can be done. If, you've got several willing to do the research on to protray Sir William Johnson, aka Warragiyagey, or Simon Girty, or John Fraser, or new pork eaters just starting to be asimulated by one of the Great Lake tribes....

Long story short, the ones that were interested and did some research left to go to college. I did a lot of the research because 1) I had a bunch of the materials due to MA thesis proposal adn B) this is a topic I'm very interested in. We actually got the leggings and aprons ( I know, I know), but need to work on mocs, shirts and gustawahs (sp)

We got a new bunch in now and we will see what happens.

I'm back. Thanks for all the advice and links,as they are excellent. PMs will be coming everyone's way.

Back to some questions I have. I have some left over scraps of point blanket that I made(and hopefully the Whispering Wind article I used is correct design for the era). What would be some ideas to use these pieces for? I was thinking of making some gloves or mittens, as I hate the cold, to match the capote. And again there is not much material left and any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Back to Chapter commentary. A few of the youth came up with the idea for the capotes, so there is hope. This came up after A) a bunch of the adults started wearing them and B) the ceremony team had to do an outdoor CS ceremony when it got cold. Luckily they borrowed some capotes and my spare blanket for a matchcoat. So they looked good IMHO.

Mittens would be ideal, and are easy to make. I'll be making another pair shortly as the oilcloth will soon be dry(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

le V,

Thanks a bunch, found a pattern and will be makign them shortly. taking a break from beadwork to make mits as i hate the cold.

Anyone,

I know that the color hat a voyageur indicated place of origin, with the most common color being red for Quebec and/or Montreal.

So can someone tell me the color for Louisiana and/or New Orleans? Was thinking about getting a green one to go with the capote, but would rather get something more authentic. Sis-in-law is gonna make it for me.

Thanks

The typical color was Red. Other colors could be Blue, Green, White, Browns, Greys, and Blacks. If the color makes you happy, then you'll be fine.