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Jim, Patti, & Christian Keller's |
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Jim, Patti, & Christian Keller's |
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Welcome to the Keller's adventure in historical reenactment. All over southern Ontario and the eastern United States each summer, hundreds of volunteers dress up in period costumes to recreate life as it was a few hundred years ago. This is known as "Living History" In Canada there are three time periods which are most often represented;
In the United States, the Civil War reenactment is probably the most popular. For those people not familiar with the cause, these weekend campers/warriors are part of "living history". They attempt/hope to teach the public both Canada's and the United States' heritage and history by portraying people as how they dressed and lived at the time of these pivotal points in our history. All of these weekend "actors" are volunteers. They take great pride in teaching a little bit of our history to the families who visit them at one of these historic events. Most of these re-enactors have spent hundreds of hours learning old skills and making their own uniforms and gear. The cost of outfitting oneself can get quite labour intensive and expensive. The uniforms and equipment are different for each of the time periods normally portrayed.
We also belong to the Canadian Fencilbles for the War of 1812 reenactments. In 2006 we were at the Battle of Crysler's Farm at Upper Canada Village and at Plattsburg, New York and in 2007 at Fort Erie as a soldier fighting with the British 41st Regiment, (but dressed as a Canadian Fencibles). Last year the Canadian Fencibles have been at Perth, Ontario to rededicate the "Old Burying Ground" Cemetery and demonstrate skirmishes for the War of 1812. The cemetery had been vandalized and is still in the process of repairing many century and a half stones of War of 1812 veterans. The links below show the pictures of these reenactments.
(Click on poster for a pdf readable/printable version or a link to the Official Site)
Mark Valley talks about the Battle of Ogdensburg (he needs a bit of a brush up on re-enactments)
St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance
Military Accoutrements Between the battles, we have been busy sewing and making equipment, Patti makes period dresses and military pants along with some knowledge of the jackets and tunics. Jim has made oak canteens and shako hats for the War of 1812, and leather sword belts and ammunition pouches for all of the different time periods and, of course "scissor camp chairs".
War of 1812 British/American Shako Hats
Officer's British Stovepipe Shako Private's British Stovepipe Shako "Belgique" Shako Hat Shakos use 26 ounce wool felt stretched and formed and then stiffened with white shellac. Brim is of heavy vegetable tanned leather. A leather pocket is sewn in for the tuft or plume. There is an internal hat band is of soft suede leather with a natural linen liner to adjust hat height. The hats are made of a standard 7 1/2 size but can be stretched larger. Smaller sizes can be achieved by adding felt behind the hat band. The stovepipe is 7 inches in height. The Belgique shako is 6 1/2 inches in height as per an original. The shield is 8 1/4 by about 11 inches as per an original. On the Belgique, the pocket is sewn on the inside for the tuft. Plates are available but I don't keep them in stock so it can involve a long waiting time if you wish one with the plate installed. Plates are typically $50.00, the tufts are $15.00, rosettes with button $5.00, and the cord/tassel shown on the Belgique is $50.00. These items are bought elsewhere so are subject to price change with both the Canadian dollar and shipping costs.
American Marine Shako - War of 1812 This shako is similar to the stovepipe British except one inch shorter and tapered the opposite direction, with the top being wider than the bottom. The brim is made with felt stiffened with leather.
War of 1812 - British Oak Canteen These canteens are made of red oak and designed as per drawings of originals. They normally do hold water after soaking for a several hours but may require waxing the inside to ensure no drips. The maker has seen one on the inside after a season of use and does not recommend drinking from any wood canteen. (It appeared that black mold may have set up residence inside or the end user had put a liquid in the canteen to cause the oak to turn black.)
29 Shot Ammunition Pouch (circa 1780) with White Buff Leather Shoulder Belt
British Belly Box - 17 shot capacity (Seven Years War circa 1760) - Closed/Open There were several types of Belly Boxes used during this time period. This one is the 17 shot model which unlike the 18 shot model, tends not to "flip over" on soldiers with a bit of an overhang :-). Normally straps are placed on the outside, which is historically correct, but some units put the straps on the inside as a better safety to prevent the flipping over.
War of 1812 - 36 shot "flip-over" Ammo Pouch The wood block has 18 holes in each end and flips over
after the first 18 cartridges are used.
Buff Shoulder Bayonet Belt (War of 1812) Flag Holster
Canadian Voltigeur Ammo belt and Bayonet Belt - War of 1812
Bayonet/Sword Belt (Seven Years War circa 1758) Hammer Stall (white buff)
Camp Red Oak Scissor Chair Camp Scissor Chair Folded
White Ash Scissor Chair Used as Base for Pine Table Top Table or Chair - Your Choice For those
historians and re-enactors who have questions about the authenticity of the
chair design: Folding Field Chair used by Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Allen about 1780 Material: Oak Height: 72.3 cm Width: 67.2 cm Depth: 36.2 cm Location: New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Pine Folding Camp Table Set Up Pine Folding Camp Table Folded
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We are presently involved with the British 55th Regiment in the French &
Indian War, (known as F & I War in re-enactor circles and the Seven
Years War in Europe). Places which
were visited to reenact the battles of the French & Indian War in 2007 were Fort Ticonderoga and Fort William Henry, (the latter is
the fort portrayed in the movie/book "Last of the Mohicans").
2007 was the 250th
anniversary of these historic battles. In 2006 we were at
Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York, for the 250th anniversary of that battle
which also saw the French victorious. We also were at Ogdensburg, New York,
for the French and Indian War reenactment there. The summer of 2008
saw
us at Fortress Louisbourg for the 250th anniversary of that battle - what a blast!),
the Battle of Crysler's Farm (War of 1812), and Ticonderoga (the big
wet).
