Cedar Creek Thoughts?

[BethanyLynn]

Hello Stephanie,

My family and I are coming to Cedar Creek this year and we are trying to be as authentic as possible. We have registered but when I called them to ask about this, they said all the civilians were in the same area. I did call before this was figured out (I think) so I suppose it was not set up when I called. So, my question is, when we come to the event, how do we get to set up in the area where you all are setting up? Do we just ask or say we want to be in a particular area? I will have to go over this with my parents but I would love to hear your opinion

My dad is hoping to have a Pinkerton impression and I have a feeling this wouldn't really fit in to what you are doing down the hill He is also thinking about doing some things with the telegraph. Thoughts? He is always open to suggestions that I have so I am just wondering what sort of male civilian roles will fit into this area.

[Stephanie Brennan]

Hi  Back Bethany Lynn-  The map on the Cedar Creek website is still an old version from last year. The USSC  marked on the current map is close to where the new civilian camp will be, but just on the other side of the tree line to the left.        Stephanie

[Stephanie Brennan]

Cedar Creek--    On Saturday Afternoon I would like to have a society meeting please plan on sewing, knitting, reading, or other handiwork. The pretense is the fact goods are being made for the local fair  to support the orphans and widows of the fallen soldiers. I will bring limited supplies to make emery strawberries.  pin cushions, perforated paper bookmarks, nine patch squares, needle books, pen wipers,  pot or iron holders and watercolors. I have  several entertainment type books that would be fun to read from and favorite poems. There will be refreshments and gingercakes.
  A area will be set up for practicing penmenship and letter writing skills. I will also set up for  an autograph book ( period scrapebooking?). You will need to bring  scissors, period paper cutouts try free clip art sites, reproduction Harper Weekly's ,copies of original sources that are on -line, bring small scrapes of silk ribbon and cloth, hair clippings ( save  from haircuts), pressed and dried flowers, and a small book to mount them in or paper folded into sheets to be sewn together at a later date. You will also add penned poems, watercolors to your book, and autographs.This will be a ongoing work of progress.
 An area set up for children will include sand games and molds, clay to make animals marbles, etc., carpeted toy area, kites, swing, ring toss type games, and organized running games like puss puss in the corner. The children will work on a exhibition program for Saturday evening to include The Three little kittens, recitation of the presidents,  Star Spangled Banner and  This is the house that Jack Build.  I will add more for older children if there is a need  and adults if they would like to join in. If parents would like to work on a nursery rhyme at home for a little one please do. My daughter did Little Miss Muffet one year and we dropped a fake spider beside her as she ran away or so we thought was going to happen, instead we got little miss Mary quite contrary who would not recite the poem, and in the end we got the horrid little girl with the little curl.  Okay off topic.The exhibition is more a work of enjoyment for the children than perfection. If you need any ideas PM me. In lieu of the dance  at night, we sit around the fire and drink hot chocolate and cider. The children make up stories with the no modern  reference guideline and sometimes the soldiers will add a story or two.
  Besides this we will be running the tavern for the weekend based on the many requests for its presence. No alcohol is served but lots of people congregate here for socialization, singing,  and games.                                                                                                                  Stephanie

                 Thought processes and questions are always welcome                                                                                                                           Stephanie

[Cheryl Dalehodges]

Will any of you ladies who are sutlers be vending at Cedar Creek? 

Cheryl

[Emma Spofford]

When is Cedar Creek this year?

[Susan Peden]

When is Cedar Creek this year?

October 16-18.  Who is going?  I would like to put real faces with some of the names and pics I enjoy from the forum.  Susan P.

[Emma Spofford]

I'd love to go, but since I am the only reenacter in my family, and can't drive yet....I'd have to ask some of my reenacting friends if I could go with them.........we'll see! 

[Stephanie Brennan]

http://www.cedarcreekbattlefield.org/Campmap.pdf   New map is up. There are three civilian areas listed. I plan to be in the one in the far back . There is a side entrance close by. I can tell you after 20 years of reenacting at Cedar Creek, this is one of the nicest areas to camp in. 
                                                                                                                                     Stephanie

[Cheryl Dalehodges]

I'll be there and hope to see all yall. 
'
Is it okay if I bring a couple of folks with me?  This is my first CW event, and I'm coming with the friends who pulled me forward from the 18th to the 19th century.

I mean, if coming over to your camp, Stephanie, is for folks from the Sewing Academy only, I don't want to "crash".

[Stephanie Brennan]

No- Anyone is welcome who would like to be away from the main hubbub( sutlers, traffic, and spectators)  and who is interested in doing a civilian impression but yet stay as authentic as possible under the circumstances. No- you don't have to be a seasoned reenactor or someone special, just have a desire to embrace and get a small sample of civilian life and activities. A couple of women who camp with us just like a quiet spot and do not want to be part of  military row.  Stephanie

[Susan Peden]

Stephanie, thanks for the updated map.  I am going to make my way from CSA Headquarters to the Civilian area too.  Don't know whether I'll be Susan or Silas yet, depends on the weather.

Emma, What unit will you be with?

Susan P.

[Jenn Miller]

My husband and I will be there.

I'm I understanding right?  The civilians don't camp with their unit?  What about mainstream units? 

[Malinda Byrne]

Cedar Creek is a mainstream event.  You will find civilians camping with military.   You'll find civilians camping in the Confederate civilian camp.  You'll find civilians camping in the Union civilian camp.  And, you'll find civilians camping in the area Stephanie is creating as an island of authenticity.  If I am understanding correctly, those who are interested are welcome to visit the island of authenticity even if they are not camped there.
Malinda

[Jenn Miller]

OH. ok thank you for clarifying that for me.  This is our first year there.  Don't know what to expect, but we are very excited to be going.

[Emma Spofford]

Emma, What unit will you be with?

Susan P.

Unfortunately, I won't be going. I just looked at my calendar and realized I have to babysit for a friend.
The only reenacting I have done is with the ACCS for the past 2 years. So, I am fairly new at this!

[Susan Peden]

ACCS?

[Emma Spofford]

It's a small group in Northern VA. It is for kids/teens, boys get to be soldiers, and girls get to be nurses. Most of the families who go are pretty authentic, while some are just folks who are just starting.
We meet at an amazing 200 acre farm with all period buildings. The man who owns does US calvary and hosts many events at his farm. Their website is www.underonebanner.com
Like I said, not a huge group, and it is focused on kids/teens. I am now looking into more "grown up" reenacting. :-) 

[Susan Peden]

Emma,

Thanks for the explanation and the link to the ACCS site.  It looks like you have a good start.

[rmassella]

My wife (Lynise), daughters (Maggie & Mollie), and I will be attending Cedar Creek.  We plan to drop over to the area where y'all will be.  See y'all at the creek!

Bob

[Stephanie Brennan]

Cedar Creek  is now one week away-

   Plans for Saturday will be as follows-  Society meeting will be held at Brennan's tavern from 12:30 - 3  Please bring your sewing, knitting or other handy work. I will have limited supplies for making 9 piece quilt blocks, potholders, pen wipers, emery strawberries, and perforated bookmarks. We will do readings and have light refreshments.

     If you are interested in making the autograph book please remember to bring paper. Southworth has a nice linen or cotton paper that works great for painting and writing.  It can be found at Wal Mart and office supply stores. We will be folding the sheets in half  and stitching them in the middle. I will bring an example of one that I have finished off with a silk cover made from pasteboard ,based on a original.  S&S sutler carries nice marble covered ones. Suggestions to bring with you are sewing supplies, paper cuts, silk pieces, dried flowers ( Michael's has pansies, daisies, roses ,ferns )and hair clippings. I 'll have a list of sweet little poems to add to your book. Don't forget to bring along your favorite period quotes to copy.

    The children will have a carpeted area with toys. I will set up a swing, ring toss games, sand games, kite, and outside games. On Saturday morning from 10- 11 and again in the after noon I hope to bring the children together to work on a program for Saturday evening at 7pm. Plans are for the story The Three Little Kittens. I will need three young children to play the kittens and one person to be a reader. The children will act out the story as it is being read. This is the House that Jack Build will be a shadow show with a reader and children holding up each animal or symbol.  The older children will do a couple recitations The signers of the Declaration of Independence. and one other.  I will add or adjust as needed. If your child has a favorite nursery rhyme  we will work that in too. The program should be about 30-35 minutes. Plenty of time for the dance afterward or stay and have hot chocolate and cider around the fire.

                                                                                     I'm looking forward to next week and meeting many of you at Cedar Creek..... Stephanie