Foxfire Revisited

[Dreamer42]

I was recently going through my father's books and come across his collection of Foxfire in a three book set from the 1970s. I had all but forgotten about these texts. Although not directly related to the Civil War, I have no doubts that many of its topics are handed down from generation to generation and indeed contain the same methods used during the 1860s.
If you are unfamiliar with Foxfire, it is a collection of interviews, observations and stories passed down through the ages. Examples of topics cover: care and feeding of (farm) animals, skinning, tanning of hides, making lye soap, making banjos, building a proper chimney, quilting, making molassas, different notches for cabin corners, hanging doors with wooden hinges, proper construction of stills, and much more.
I have just recently glanced at the contents and intend on planning a strategy to read, and then actually DO, the tasks there-in. I believe I will start with making soap. The idea of making a hide-covered banjo really appeals to me. I don't know why - I can't play music at all - but the idea of making an instrument fascinates me a great deal.
Also, a little of the added benefit that I have discovered is the view into the world of the rural, independed citizen. Their down-to-earth philosophies are intriguing as well.
Anyway, hope this isn't old news. No pun intended... ; )

- Jay Reid
Dreamer42
9th Texas

[Charles Heath]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

Among the participating students' names in those early volumes, you'll probably spot one very familiar to AC Forum members.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

While *some* aspects will translate back to the 1860s, not all, or even much, will... so use Foxfire only if you're starting from original historic sources, and moving forward. Just because something is "olden tyme" doesn't make it applicable to our era. :)

[Danny]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

... Foxfire...although not directly related to the Civil War, I have no doubts that many of its topics are handed down from generation to generation and indeed contain the same methods used during the 1860s... The idea of making a hide-covered banjo really appeals to me...

Jay -

Yes, do make and play a hide-covered banjo! For CW reenacting though the Foxfire pattern (as I recall from my 1970s stupor) is wrong, except maybe for surviving CW Vets in the Eastern mountain area who may have made and used them after 1900 into the 1930s. Google "Frank Proffit" to find out more about that style. CW period banjos on the other hand were nearly all fretless and hide covered, but most were larger in diameter (up to14" not uncommon). See my Avatar here to get an idea of the general size - on a banjo I made after getting the same inspiration as yourself.

See AC member Carl Anderton's recent post in the CW Music area here about his U-tube video of his authentic banjo playing to see and here what's possible with these much older-style instruments. (He's playing reproductions of CW factory banjos as used by the professional stage Minstrels of the time, while simpler carpenter- or even home -made banjos were as likely for the farm-boy turned soldier).

- Dan Wykes

[gilham]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

Good Morning All
I have Foxfire one through five.After the original series was published the Foxfire group put out six through ten in the early 80's if I remember right. I have used some of the information in them.

[Cfarrell]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

I believe that the Foxfire series now numbers twelve. I own 1-11, and decided to stop there because the material seemed to be repeated from earlier books. But they are a very good read.

While the books are documenting an era separate from the one we portray; they do contain some very good knowledge of back-woodsmanship. If I remember correctly, the first book contains directions and descriptions on how to skin a number of animals. That hasn't changed much since the 1860's, and I'd be willing to put some money down that several fellers on here (that should) don't know how to do that. How about sassafras? I sometimes wonder how many southern gents on here could find a sassafras tree in the woods. Or how many of them can tell a red oak from a white oak or a pecan from a hickory tree. Some of these things might have been common knowledge among the average southern soldier…but, that goes back to the whole “civilian before we were soldier” thing people over look. :D

Like Miss Clark said...you just have to know what to look for and what to shy away from.

Regards,

[vamick]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

I believe that the Foxfire series now numbers twelve. I own 1-11, and decided to stop there because the material seemed to be repeated from earlier books. But they are a very good read.

While the books are documenting an era separate from the one we portray; they do contain some very good knowledge of back-woodsmanship. If I remember correctly, the first book contains directions and descriptions on how to skin a number of animals. That hasn't changed much since the 1860's, and I'd be willing to put some money down that several fellers on here (that should) don't know how to do that. How about sassafras? I sometimes wonder how many southern gents on here could find a sassafras tree in the woods. Or how many of them can tell a red oak from a white oak or a pecan from a hickory tree. Some of these things might have been common knowledge among the average southern soldier…but, that goes back to the whole “civilian before we were soldier” thing people over look. :D

Like Miss Clark said...you just have to know what to look for and what to shy away from.

Regards,

Proud to say I CAN! my place is loaded with Sass and it can get to be a pest... a far as skinning I could pull it off but at times its best left to the "experts"..as in the time I traded a large coon on tha hoof for a bottle of bourbon..thats one Jeff Foxworthy left out! :D

[col90]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

Among the participating students' names in those early volumes, you'll probably spot one very familiar to AC Forum members.

Do tell!

Colleen

[Cfarrell]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

I'll give you a hint...he makes some of the best cloth around.:D

Regards,

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Foxfire Revisited

Some of these things might have been common knowledge among the average southern soldier…but, that goes back to the whole “civilian before we were soldier” thing people over look. :D

I agree, these books help a lot for doing first person. I started reading them back in school during the early 80's. Such a wealth of information, that is thankfully preserved in the pages of those books!