Frederick Maryland

[Maggie Koenig]

Hello Ladies and Gents,
    This event is not going to fall into the history heavy category.  To be honest some of the reenactors I saw last year scared me a little and lord knows my fellow docents were not authentically dressed. However, I am advertising because I know there are a lot of local folks on the board and I am hoping to encourage some more authenticity minded people to the event to help set a good example and hopefully turn it into more of a history heavy event in the future.  I willfully admit I am an employee of the museum even though I don't personally help plan it:  I will be there all weekend this year in the house and possibly helping out with a presentation or two.

   The event is the Civil War Encampment at Rose Hill Manor Park located in Frederick Maryland.  The setting for the event is the grounds of a home built circa 1795 (The retirement home of Maryland's first elected governor).  It was owned during the war years by the family of David Ogle Thomas.  Currently, the home is a children's museum with the mission of teaching early Maryland history to school children and children of all ages.  Please check out http://rosehillmuseum.com/ for more information.

 

[Chip]

Hello Ladies and Gents,
    This event is not going to fall into the history heavy category.  To be honest some of the reenactors I saw last year scared me a little and lord knows my fellow docents were not authentically dressed.

If the folks who are directly responsible for presenting the history of the property are not dressed properly, you will have a very steep slope to climb convincing others to do any better.

Do you have any guidelines to follow at the property? That might be a good place to start, and then invite others who can explain the, 'whys," and, "wherefores."

[Maggie Koenig]

Sir,
  The time period the house typically represents is 1800-1835, the time that the original family owned the house.  We have a civil war event because it is documented there were several encampments on the property during the war.  The council that funds our clothing did not see the need to invest in full civil war era clothing for all the docents for one weekend so they picked up a few skirts and white blouses.  This is also not an invitation only event so we do not enforce guidelines (other than safety) on the reenactors.  I posted the event because it is local and a family friendly setting.  I just wanted to be upfront with people as to what to expect when they got there.

[Elizabeth]

Maggie, would the organizers be open to "carpe eventum" from history-heavy people, or will they feel threatened by that, do you think?

[Maggie Koenig]

I don't think they would mind at all.  The current site director has only been there for just over a year so she really is still in the "inherited" phase of her dealings with the event.  Now if only the county would stop making her go to meetings and let her do her job......

[Bethany K.]

Is anyone going to this?  I'm probably going as a spectator (lack of wardrobe).  Registration ends June 10th.

[Maggie Koenig]

I'll be there.  But then again I work there so I'm not given much of a choice. 

[Bethany K.]

I had a hunch you'd be there. 

[Bethany K.]

I met a young lady at the encampment today, but, silly me, didn't get her name.  Can anyone tell me who she is?  http://tinyurl.com/3flnpga
She was wearing that outfit too.  It's even prettier in person.  Thanks!

[Maggie Koenig]

That would be me    Were you part of the group of young ladies I was talking with just after they ransomed Frederick in the morning??

[Bethany K.]

Yes!  I was with my mom and sister and told you I'd seen a picture of you via the Sewing Academy.  I took a few pictures of you too.