History Nerd

I learned to love history when I was in college. It was required to take at the college I attended. I had transferred in and was catching up on basic requirements so I took two different American history classes the same semester. I had two wonderful instructors that knew how to get your attention and keep it. In addition to dates, places and important events they taught social history. We explored how people lived and why new developments were important. I can even remember having to clean a raw cotton boll to demonstrate the importance of the cotton gin! It opened a whole new world to me but it took years to evolve into my passion of reenacting. 

In my hometown there was an annual reenactment that was a big event and I never missed attending. As years went by I joined a group that served as vendors during the event and began dressing in my interpretation of period clothes. Then, a casual friend offered to take me to participate in an event as a reenactor. She got me hooked and became one of my dearest friends in the process. How could anyone sleeping on the ground under a tarp in the rain with no shower and only portable toilets have so much fun? Following this I inquired about joining the local reenactment group which portrays a French military unit of the French and Indian War also known as the Seven Years War. I have evolved from sleeping on the ground under a shelter to a cot and tent but the best part is that I have made so many more great friends with this same passion. I hope I can continue to enjoy this hobby for many years and will be sharing my adventures into living history with readers here. 

          

Then

... and now

Last weekend a small group of us went to the Seven Years War Conference. This is an annual educational and business meeting for members. I chose the option of learning about 18th century quill making, writing and paper making. Our instructor was so knowledgeable and I left wishing I had more time to pick her brain. The weekend also included a dinner and dance in period clothing. It was a fun weekend and the location at Spring Mill State Park in Indiana was beautiful. I'm wanting to go back sometime with my husband to camp and check out all the other great things the park has to offer. 


              











Spring Mill State Park is in southern Indiana not too far from Paoli Peaks and French Lick. One of the main features of the park is the Pioneer Village which contains a water-powered grist mill built in 1817. Besides the mill there are 20 log cabins set up as homes and places of business. The log buildings were restored mostly in the 1920s and 1930s by the CCC. In the summer they have various interpreters staffing the shops as merchant, apothecary, carpenter, etc. Unfortunately it was closed for the season during our visit but definitely worth a trip back to see. 

The park itself is beautiful and has many natural features to explore. One area known as Donaldson's Woods has native trees more than 300 years old. There are short hiking trails, mountain bike trails, a lake and caves. Accommodations include a campground with or without electricity and shower houses with flush toilets or the inn which is open all year and has a delicious dining hall and rooms available for events. If more modern history is your thing there is the Grissom Memorial which honors Virgil "Gus" Grissom and houses the Gemini III capsule and spacesuit. Grissom was an early pioneer of the space program and local hero raised in nearby Mitchell, Indiana. They also have an Olympic size swimming pool with pool house in the park and indoor pool at the Inn. If you're near the area I encourage you to visit the park for a day or stay the weekend.