Athens 1-3 August 08

[Arch Campbell]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

I have seen it spelled BOTH ways in different documents. The spelling seems to have been somewhat fluid at the time, finally settling on "Kahoka" officially sometime after the Rebellion, as you mentioned, Drew.
If anyone is reading this thread and considering attending Athens for the first time, I strongly recommend it. Where else will you get the opportunity to reenact a battle on the actual site, with nary a uniform on either side?

Drive that rebel traitor Mart Green back to the North Fabius!

[fahtz]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

We are fast approaching the meeting of two civilian clad mobs of men on the unaltered pristine ground at Athens Missouri. As we all enjoy our next few months of warmed up temperatures and out door activities, remember to condition your bodies and drink a lot of water. Athens will be hot, we have a nice schedule of events in the works. There are a lot of activities that depend on the living historians ability to live in the heat of August in Missouri. Please condition your body for the warm, sunny, and muggy summer. I will see you all in August!

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

Is it possible, for this Texan braving the trip North, to provide a pronunciation guide? I know Athens is pronounced Ay-thens, are there any other place names that I should be aware? Such as how is Kahoka pronounced?

[Cfarrell]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

If you find yourself in Iowa you've done gone too far:D. I made the trip back in 05 from Houston....man it was a long drive and we ended up getting lost right near Ay-thens and on some back roads in Iowa. Fun trip though...

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

I'm going to let Holler handle the pronunciation issues, since there are other tricky names that we'll need to know (Monticello, for one.)

I wanted to add that the Friends of Athens & the Park Rangers are going all out this year. For one thing, they're opening up another house for occupancy, and there is even a possibility that we may be able to use the historic church for the Sunday service. They'll also provide firewood and most of the food for civilians.

We will be using the newly opened house for Deborah Hyland's mercantile and candy shop. She'll have her usual brilliant display of period candy (I mean, modern edible candy that is made from period recipes!) as well as other useful and delicious items. We'll also have a tin-typist, as well as another period photographer with his wagon.

Civilians will take part in recreating various important historic events that took place during and after the battle, as well as going about their daily lives & chores in the town. Those of you who haven't been in Athens for a while might be interested to know that the houses have been restored significantly and are now much more comfortable. (I.e., no more bats & other critters.)

This event just gets better & better each time it occurs, and since it only happens every three years, I would encourage anyone who's still thinking it over to join in. Your presence will also create a lot of good will for the ongoing preservation efforts. There's still room in the civilian camp of convenience, which will be located in a lovely shaded grove of trees.

[fahtz]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

One thing I forgot to mention is for the fellows on the fence about attending due to the fact that they do not own a nice period correct civilian weapon. I have discussed with a few people in my close circle of MSG historians about the possibility of LOANER weapons. I know personally I have 4 firearms I will not be using for the event. The LOANER list is growing, please do not let this effect you attendance.

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

Mich, you need to get in contact with Jo to cordinate what the State Guard is doing. We mentioned that you should be camped at the Widow Grey's.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

It is important for the citizens of Athens to remember that you are portraying people of rural Missouri. Leave the fancy clothes at home and be ready to work. Collecting wood, splitting firewood, weeding the flower beds and gardens, getting water, cleaning clothes, fixing meals.

This is different than the guidelines state. The guidelines allow for a dressier impression than a working class impression; has this changed?

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

The 1860 census for the town of Athens shows that the good proportion of the citizens there were engaged in businesses, mercantiles, skilled crafts, and professions. We posted excerpts from the census earlier this year (I think it's in another thread.) Yes, you're quite right, the civilian guidelines do indicate a prosperous, active citizenry. Not wealthy, but not dirt-poor, either. Athens was also a rural community, so there's room for a range of authentic impressions.

I want to reassure everyone that the civilians who have signed up for this event are already working hard on their impressions and are bringing some wonderful crafts and skills to the event. We do have to balance the outdoor chores with the more prosperous impressions, of course. Some of the women will be engaged in laundry and gardening, as suggested earlier. Others will be involved in indoor pursuits (including dressmaking, needle and fiber crafts, the mercantile, etc.)

Who knows, we may even have some chickens ... ! (I mean, live ones.)

[Deborah Hyland]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

Um, I don't know that anyone is planning on being a Scarlett, but Athens was a thriving river town served by the ferry. The 1887 History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland County, Missouri has detailed listings of all the local businesses, fraternal orders, churches, etc. that were in Athens at the time of the war. It's only since the end of the ferry, the decline of the railroads, and the interstate highway system that it became such a backwater.

With all due respect, of course.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

The 1860 census for the town of Athens shows that the good proportion of the citizens there were engaged in businesses, mercantiles, skilled crafts, and professions. We posted excerpts from the census earlier this year (I think it's in another thread.) Yes, you're quite right, the civilian guidelines do indicate a prosperous, active citizenry. Not wealthy, but not dirt-poor, either. Athens was also a rural community, so there's room for a range of authentic impressions.

This is good to know. I'd have hated to drive all that way to find out I had brought the wrong clothes :).

Thanks for the clarification.

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

I do know the history of Athens.
I edited my post so as not to offend. Looks like I touched a nerve.

[Anna Allen]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

Ditto to what Silvana was saying about Athens. It's really a pretty cool little town and it's rare that you get to stay in a village with actual period buildings. I'm looking forward to seeing how far the progress has come with the houses. I can sleep with mice and bats, though it's not my preference, so it's good to hear the nasty little critters have been exterminated since the last time I stayed there. Oh yeah and the hornets and the snake. Honestly, this event should be a lot of fun and I imagine it might even top the last event we had there. Heck, the actual battle happens right in the town. Not often this happens, so really, everyone can participate in the fun (no ladies, I don't mean you are going to be out there with the guys actually fighting). Maybe I'll even start another AC forum scandal and bring my bathing costume. Sorry, I couldn't resist that one. (All in good fun.) ;)

[Terry Sorchy]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

To All,
At Athens this year Nancy and I will be operating our Inn. Since there will be a lack of indoor cooking facilities we will be operating in a fully outdoor summer kitchen environment.
If you liked what we did at Boonesfield or missed it please dont hesitate to frequent us at Athens.
If anyone would like to help out at the event just post here.
Cheers:D
Terry Sorchy aka James Smith Proprietor
Smiths Inn on the Green

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Athens 1-3 August 08

I talked with Roger and Jo this past weekend and gave them the menu we used last year. They are going to provide food for 150 people.

Charles Hoskins, do you want the front room of the McKee house as your headquarters? The other room will be Terry and Nancy's sleeing quarters.

As always the Kahoka Home Guard will be encamped by the Thome-Benning house.