Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

[jcraig]

Registration is open for Hopewell 2012/1862!

Date: October 12-14, 2012
Name: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862
Location: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Elverson, PA
Sponsor/Host: Jessica Craig
Capacity: @ 40 civilians

POC: Jessica Craig snowcraig@ymail.com or
Website: http://hopewell.mainecav.org/
Listserve: Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agatheringbeforethestorm/

Join us in recreating a few days in the life of an early industrial village at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This event builds on two previous events that depicted life leading up to the Civil War. This year, in keeping with the 150th anniversary cycle, we will portray the Fall of 1862, with an emphasis on homefront support.

Hopewell Furnace is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania and is a remarkably intact example of a 19th century iron furnace village. The furnace, which still exists today, was in operation from 1771 to 1883 and produced a wide range of finished goods and raw materials. The village includes the ironmaster’s house, the furnace complex, several dwelling houses, a boarding house, a blacksmith shop, a spring house, barns, and outbuildings. The setting is rural with little modern distractions and naturally beautiful.

This civilian-only event will portray everyday life in Hopewell Village in 1862. There will be primarily sustained first person interaction with third person interaction at times with the public. The event lends itself to impressions ranging from the poorest servant to wealthy visitors from Philadelphia. This is an opportunity to interpret the lives of people who not only made the iron possible, but of the villagers who made Hopewell village self-sufficient.

Hope to see you in October!

Jess Craig

[Tom Craig]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Of course I am biased as the event host is my wife, but this is an excellent event! If you want to taste a little slice of civilian life in the 1860's this is a great event to do it at! Sustained first person, beautiful and historic location, and we've made two decent sized donations to the park over the last two years, etc etc.

Take care,
Tom Craig

[Marc]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Just to echo what Tom has said. Very nice event, well run and good spectator turnout. Some may want to combine with a trip to the shore and very near Philadelphia and some other neat historic places to visit.

[Chris Fisher]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Is it October yet?

[Mutt]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Hoping to make this one myself! Grew up just over the hill from Hopewell with much of my ancestors residing in the region as well. Folks still live there. Should help in putting together 1st person info and form an impression :)

[jcraig]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Just want to bump this up and encourage folks to register for this great civilian event!

Contact me with any questions.

Hope to see you in October!

Jess

[jcraig]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Plans for this year’s Hopewell event are taking shape. We are excited about all the new opportunities and activities this year!

The year is 1862 and our focus is on the home front in the fall of that critical year of the War.

Last year the ladies of Hopewell came together to form a local soldiers’ aid society and created plans for an event to raise “funds” to support the soldiers at the front. This year we will be “raising” these funds though a soldiers’ aid fair that will feature activities such as, patriotic speeches, music, theatrics/tableaus, reports from the front, athletic competitions, children’s games, and more.

The men will be participating in the fair, but there is also much work to be done. This year we have access to the blacksmith shop and the carpenter shop. We have a range of period work such as white washing, fence mending, and harvesting. This is not an event where folks sit around – our goal is to keep you busy!

This event is a fantastic opportunity to experience civilian life. Come put your talents to good use – be it blacksmithing, hearth cooking, wood working, gardening, or painting. Perhaps you are an extremely talented wood chopper – come compete in the wood chopping competition – or maybe your talents lie more in the pie eating category…either way, come to Hopewell and you will have fun!

This event is mainly first person, so give yourself time to do some background preparation. Registration is open until September 1st and is limited to 40 people, so if you are interested – contact me at snowcraig@ymail.com

Hope to see you at Hopewell!

[jcraig]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Last call for registrations for Hopewell Furnace! There is still room if you want to join us. Please email me at snowcraig@ymail.com if you are interested.

Thanks!

[jcraig]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Amidst the Storm has come and gone and the fine people who live and work at the Hopewell Furnace enjoyed a lovely weekend together!

The weather was cool, but sunny and lovely. The setting couldn't be more beautiful with the golden colors of fall, white washed buildings, and open fields surrounded by thick forests. Although the year is 1862 and a horrible war was happening not too far away, it was a peaceful two days in the village. The men and women occupied themselves with tasks and chores such as whitewashing a garden fence, harvesting broom corn, chopping and stacking wood, cooking over two hearths, washing dishes, pots and pans, tidying up the boarding house, picking apples in the orchard, and doing hand work such as knitting and sewing.

On Saturday afternoon some of the ladies and children of the village set up games to engage the many spectators in an effort to "raise money" to support the local soldiers' aid society. There were many games of tug-of-war, bean bag toss, and sack races, in addition to the very popular collection of children's toys. We were fortunate to have Mr. Pfeiffer, a traveling wet plate photographer, in town and he wowed everyone with the process of period photography. The numbers of spectators to the village was very high and everyone one of us spent a great deal of time talking to and educating the public as to what we were doing. Saturday evening, as the weather grew cooler, we all enjoyed a warm and delicious meal together followed by visiting around a bonfire behind the boarding house.

Sunday brought a much warmer day and after breakfast (and a group photograph), the Hopewell Ladies' Aid Society met to discuss fundraising and collection efforts. We had a visitor from the Coatesville Ladies Aid Society and she gave us a report about what their group was doing. Following the meeting, we had a small celebration to celebrate Mrs. Ebert's upcoming joyful event (a baby shower).
The men of the village continued their work in the carpenters' shop and in the barn threshing some bundles of wheat. The day and weekend concluded with a rousing wood chopping competition!

The weekend was a fun one - we had a great mixture of men and women, young and old, veteran reenactors and brand new ones. If you are interested in trying a civilian only event, please keep this one in mind. Dates are not yet set for next year, but once they are, I'll be sure to let you all know!

Here is a link to some photographs of the event:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151059656892126.421022.521772125&type=1&l=277ca75bd7

On to 1863....

Jess Craig

[Mutt]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

Wonderful event! Thanks for putting it together Jess! I hope me and the family can make it back next year.

Best,

[56spencer]

Re: Amidst the Storm: Hopewell Homefront 1862

I could only made it to Hopewell for Sunday this year but it is an event I didn't want to miss. This year, just like the past four, I have been able to take part in new first-person experiences. I look forward to Mrs. Craig announcing the 2013 event dates.

Many Thanks to Jess & All Involved,