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- November 9th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Pompion Pye - ca. 1720
Pay attention, kids - this isn't your Granny's pumpkin pie. This has a tentative date of 1720, but this sounds a bit older to me. At any rate you're looking at post-Columbian exchange era.…
- November 7th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Syllabub - 1686
Syllabub is a drink that is seen very little on modern tables. Generally speaking, syllabub is a cross between a drink and a dessert, though in centuries past it was more on the "drink" end of t…
- November 6th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Pompion Sause - 1671
The food in question here is pumpkins, the archaic spelling being pompions. I remember having this dish while staying with my host family in France (which no, was NOT that long ago!). "Th…
- October 22nd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
No Title
Further information can be found on the West Overton Museums website. The place looks fabulous, hope to see you there!
- September 23rd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Operation Market Garden Trailer
This is the trailer to a video that will be finished hopefully this fall. All footage was shot at the Operation Market Garden reenactment weekend. It looks incredible so far. He and his crew worked…
- September 21st, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Operation Market Garden a Success!
The weather was wonderful, the turnout was great, and the reenactors were incredible. We had a grand time and can't wait to do it all again next year!A few photos from the weekend:Photo credit g…
- September 16th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Going Home
This is just beautiful.After 147 long years, he's finally home. The video is done by Antietam park ranger Mannie Gentile. His blog post gives more detail. Thanks for an incredibly won…
- September 12th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Period Receipts: To Brandy Fruit (and to fruit brandy)
From The National Cook Book By Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson and Martha Read, 1856.BRANDY GRAPES.444. Put some close bunches, when ripe, into a jar, first pricking each grape with a needle…
- September 9th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Video: Gettysburg 75th Anniversary
Watching this really makes me ponder what we do as historians and living historians. Are we doing right by them? Are we truly doing them justice for all that they faced, experienced and sa…
- September 7th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Period Receipts: Some Ways of Preserving and Preparing Tomatoes, Part Three
From The Southern Gardener and Receipt-Book: by Mrs. Mary L. Edgeworth. Third edition, 1860. p. 227: Tomato Pie The tomatoes are skinned and sliced, and after being mixed w…
- September 6th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Period Receipts: Tomato Catchup, 1851
This didn't show the way I'd planned on it. Just click on the photo to go to the recipes in their entirety on Google books. *grumble*
- September 5th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
2009 PCN Gettysburg Batlle Walk Schedule
PCN will air special programming blocks of Gettysburg Battlewalks throughout the Labor Day weekend. Civil War enthusiasts can catch the premiere of the 2009 programs beginning Saturday, Septemb…
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant.
Pa. man fires cannon, hits neighbor's houseUNIONTOWN, Pa. — A Pennsylvania history buff who recreates firearms from old wars accidentally fired a 2-pound cannonball through the wall of his neighbor'…
- September 4th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Have you seen Victorian Times lately?
Sarahanne has been busy! She has recently completed a gown that is based off the velvet dress belonging to Mary Todd Lincoln, currently on display at the Smithsonian. I had posted photographs of the…
- September 3rd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Period Pattern - All you beadworkers and seamstresses pay attention!
Peterson's Magazine December 1864. From the NYPL Digital Gallery.Now, is the trim laid down then beaded, or the other way around? You decide. Personally, I'm of the opinion that if they showed you…
- September 2nd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Quickie: Godey's Lady's Book Autumn (?) 1863
Stab in the dark here, but I think this is another autumn fashion plate. I adore the trim on the two dresses on the far right...makes me want to actually try doing that again with ribbon.Course then…
- August 26th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
No Title
Operation Market-Garden Reenactment & Memorial Weekend Presented by the West Overton Re-enactor Society On September 17, 1944 thousands of paratroopers descended from th…
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
West Overton Photos on Webshots
We had a very nice family come over right before Old Overholt Days in July, and one of them was a photographer. He spent that day and another full one strolling around the museum and the buildings ta…
- August 25th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Look what I found!
The Lincoln Assassination papers collection in its entirety is free on Footnote.com. All you have to do is make an account and go to town...that's it!I'll leave you to your squealing inner geek now.
- August 24th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Seventh Annual Reunion of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry
Tipton photo, ca. 1890s. This is the article from which I got the previous post's excerpt. To get a little background, you may look up their entry in Bates.The survivors of this gallant regiment met…
- August 18th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
More on Daughters of the Regiment
I found this while looking for something completely different, but it's a very interesting piece. What I found was an article pertaining to the seventh (annual) reunion of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania…
- August 13th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
New project!
Well, all right. Old project. But I'm taking it in a slightly different direction.I've been asked a couple of times a very interesting question, and I haven't had the real time necessary to pursue i…
- August 5th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
West Overton's 5th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival!
West Overton Museums' 5th Annual Heirloom Tomato FestivalAug. 22, 2009 10AM-6PMPresented by the West Overton Garden ClubAdvance tickets available online here. Adults $10, Students $6, Children under…
- July 28th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
More photos from my stash...
I really like the pose in this one. I know it's just the fact that the woman's dress is obviously of a light fabric which then shows up in white here, but something about it just makes me think that t…
- July 23rd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
More Twin Lakes 2009 Pictures
Beautiful shot of the coehorn going off.Loading and firing drill with mixed company.I believe this is the sunset on Saturday night.Another trainee on the coehorn.This is our coehorn mortar crew, plus…
- July 20th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Twin Lakes Photos 2009 part 1
A likely looking bunch, eh? We take mix n' match to an art form. A view of camp from the bridge by the lake. Gotta love Twin Lakes. Where else would Captain Jack Sparrow be part of your artillery cr…
- July 15th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Brain dumping...
Yes, there is yet again a long silence from me, and once again I apologize. This week is being spent setting up the museum (therefore the summer kitchen) for Olde Overholt Days, and I've been asked t…
- July 9th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Quickie: Godey's Lady's Book December 1863
Are they not gorgeous? This is an illustration of fashions, but not a fashion plate proper. No ladies are drawn modeling the clothing, and these are not colored. So while in the descriptions that w…
- July 7th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
I told you we were insane, redux.
These two videos are of the night firings of our artillery during the Twin Lakes Arts & Heritage Festival. Obviously, these were after hours. It's a tradition with our groups to do this at least…
- July 6th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Quickie: Harper's Magazine 1860
Now, maybe it's just me, but I think I'd leave the bird at home. This ballgown has some very interesting lines in the bodice however, and the classical style sleeves I'll confess I've never seen on a…
- June 15th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
On the sound and light failings of canvas tents.
My dear ladies, there is one warning that I always give new living historians and remind those veteran to this hobby, because it bears repeating. To reinforce my point, I give the following quote fro…
- June 14th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Civil War Letters: William H. Risk, Co. G, 11th PVI
(This is the transcript of one of the letters in the collection of myself and my research partner. William H. Risk was in Company G of the 11th. At the beginning of the war, the 11th was in a three…
- June 11th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Quickie: Godey's Lady's Book Fashion Plate, 1862
Well, ok. Technically this is half a plate. But NYPL does date it to 1862, and from the looks of things it's for the summer months. I must say that I adore the hats the second and third ladies are…
- June 9th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
No Title
From The Housekeeper's Encyclopedia. Mrs. E. F. Haskell, new edition edited by R. L. Shep. Originally printed New York; D. Appleton and Company, 1861.The Care of Flowers in a DroughtUnless a plant i…
- June 2nd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
26th Annual Quilt Show!
West Overton Museums 26th Annual Quilt Show June 6-July 13 Opening weekend (June 6-7) includes The Supper Quilt Consisting of over 51,000 pieces of quilted material and is 15 feet in length. You…
- May 28th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Words of Wisdom
Reading through cookery books can give you all sorts of tips that to a degree, can still be used today. At the moment I'm reading The American Frugal Housewife again, and keeping in mind the ongoing…
- May 27th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
- May 25th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
For the Weavers - Martin Overholt's Receipt for Colouring
This is an excerpt from an Overholt's weaving journal, which is in the archive holdings of West Overton. This is presumed to be Martin Overholt's journal until further information tells us otherwise.…
- May 21st, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Long pauses
If the long silences are becoming bothersome, I do apologize. It's the busy season for me, which takes up most of my time even when I'm home. To add insult to injury I'm sick on top of everything el…
- May 20th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Quickie: The process of making bread in the medieval period
Pictures from the collections of Durham University. From The Assize of Bread: London, 1671.(Click on the images to get the full size. It's Middle English and not hard to translate...just sound it o…
- May 12th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Aw, come ON!
So our opening day for the museum was Saturday, and it was our first day demonstrating bread-baking. We had tons and tons of people come and see us, including a high school field trip (yes, on a Satu…
- May 11th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
West Overton (and me) in the news...
This appeared in the May 07 edition of the Connellsville Daily Courier. May Mart Returns to the MuseumWest Overton Museums officials have been working tirelessly to plan the events for this year's ope…
- May 4th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Remember the Ladies: Photos in my stash
cOne of the most thoroughly frustrating things about research is trying to get some kind of provenance of a photograph...who were these ladies? Where were they from? Who were their family? How did…
- April 29th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Now featuring: Victorian Times
For those of you in the market for Civil War period clothing, an excellent choice is Victorian Times, who has a shop on Etsy.com. Not only does she offer beautiful clothing that is excellently resear…
- April 27th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
No Title
Saturday May 9, 2009 OPENING DAY West Overton Village Scottdale, Pa Free Admission to the Museum all daySee a Civil War encampment and bread baking in the Summer Kitchen…
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Smithsonian continued: Lincoln's assasination redux
Somewhat continuing my previous posts about Mary Suratt and Lincoln's assasination, I found these to be particularly fascinating - the hoods worn by the conspirators in prison during their incarcerati…
- April 26th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
Guess who was at the Smithsonian?
So my daughter's 5th grade field trip was to Washington DC this weekend. It was a day trip kind of deal, which frankly is a recipe for disaster unless you live within an hour or two of the city.Which…
- April 22nd, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
The Wagoner's Song
I came across this poem while doing research about the Overholt family yesterday...the poem itself is so evocative that I just had to share it. This poem is located in the archives at West Overton Mu…
- April 19th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
All right, that does it.
After giving this whole new Entrecard setup the ol' college try, I have ultimately decided to go with advertising only those who have purchased ad space with Entrecard Credits (ECs from here on out).…
- April 16th, 2009
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TheEbonSwan has posted a new entry on: In the Swan's Shadow
On Bread; Commentary and Treatises from Period Books , part 3
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell. The Good Housekeeper: Or, The Way To Live Well And To Be Well While We Live: Containing Directions For Choosing And Preparing Food, In Regard To Health, Economy And Taste. B…
