Summer Plans

No makeup or nail polish for me this summer...*

I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED AS A LIVING HISTORY INTERN AT HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK!!!

THIS PLACE!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHKLASDFJHASKDJFHASLDFKJDASHFJSDALHFJKSADLHFJAKSLHFJSDKALFHJKDLFHJSAKDLFHJASKDLHF!!!!!!!

In case you can't tell, I'm a little excited. I applied last year, but no cigar. I decided to give it another shot this year (hey, why not... all it costs is a few sheets of paper and some postage), and shipped my resume, cover letter, and references in. Exactly one day short of one week later, I got a phone call--I was in!

I HAVE LITERALLY NEVER BEEN MORE SURPRISED IN MY LIFE
I GET TO LIVE IN DOWNTOWN HARPERS FERRY
IN A 19TH CENTURY BUILDING IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT
WEARING PERIOD CLOTHES ALL SUMMER LONG
PERFORMING PERIOD TASKS ALL SUMMER LONG
WHERE JOHN BROWN'S RAID WAS
AND WHERE JACKSON AND HILL AND STUART HUNG AROUND
AND WHERE LEWIS AND CLARK WENT THROUGH
AND WHERE WASHINGTON DECIDED TO PUT AN ARSENAL
AND WHERE THOMAS JEFFERSON'S FAVORITE SCENERY WAS
AND A TON OF OTHER HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT THINGS
WHERE THE POTOMAC AND SHENANDOAH RIVERS MEET
IN THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
A HALF HOUR AWAY FROM ANTIETAM AND FREDERICK
AN HOUR AWAY FROM GETTYSBURG AND DC
ABSORBING EVERY PARTICLE OF KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE
LITERALLY EATING, SLEEPING, AND BREATHING HISTORY
TALKING ABOUT HISTORY ALL DAY LONG
SURROUNDED BY OTHER HISTORY-OBSESSED PEOPLE
FOR TWELVE GLORIOUS WEEKS

This town completely stole my heart last summer. Now I get to live there!

Literal dream come true. I feel so far beyond blessed by this opportunity! I may never come back. (My friends are literally concerned that they will never see me again...) Well, over the summer this blog will look a bit different than the regular sporadic sewing journal: here comes the chronicle of my internship adventures!

*Five days a week, during the workday anyhow.
**pictures borrowed from elsewhere on the internet... I had them saved, so I don't know where they were originally from.

New (To Me) Victorian Jewelry

I have been on a bit of an ebay kick lately. As a rule, most of the things I put on my watch list either:
A) Rocket up out of my price range, or
B) Are forgotten about on until bidding has already ended.
However, in the past few weeks, I've been lucky enough to snag a few lovely pieces of Victorian jewelry at a very reasonable price.

Piece #1: Signet Ring

I seriously tried 20 times to get a crisp picture.

This lovely little piece was perfect for me. It was re-sized at some point to around a 6, which fits on my pointer/left thumb. (I have tiny little hands.) And, most excitingly, it's engraved with a lovely letter "E"! Usually, my initials are hard to come by. The condition is lovely, and the detail is wonderful. I am a big fan.

Piece #2: Buckle Bracelet

It's more of an oval shape, but looks round from this angle.
The way it's made, the buckle sits off to one side.

I have been wanting a buckle forever, and couldn't believe I won this one for under $20 including shipping! It's in excellent condition, with a working clasp and hinge and good clear engraving. It's also on the small side, which makes it perfect for my little wrists/hands, as most bangle style bracelets slide right off.

I got to debut the buckle at Wolcott, but the ring didn't arrive until a few days later. I can't wait to sport them together at my next event, which at present looks to be the Midwinter's Ball in February. Until then, I can wear them around with my modern clothes. (Which I may or may not be doing already...) I can't even pick a favorite between the two... I just love them both to bits!

They go so nicely together!

Currently occupying the top slot on my accessories wishlist is a pair of original earrings, but those are reaaaally challenging to find to fit a college budget. I'd settle for a solid pair of repros, but those too are hard to come by. I'll have to keep an eye out--that's paid off so far!

Jackson!!!

The Jackson Civil War Muster is the biggest event in the state (maybe even Great Lakes region?). It's big. And fun. While it isn't as picturesque as Greenfield Village, or as across-the-board accurate as Charlton Park, it's still a great event. It's the place to be if you're looking to do some shopping at the sutlers. And the battles... aghh the battles! They definitely rank at the top of the local events I've seen. The park re-landscapes the field each year for the selected engagement. In years past, they've grown corn and wheat, dug out huge embankments, and lined up trenches to name a few things. This year the landscaping was pretty tame. The battles represented were 2nd Manassas and Stones' River. New as of this year, they split the battles into two phases, one early in the action and the other showing the conclusion of the conflict. It was a nice effect, as it gave a better feel for the whole thing and how it was won or lost. My favorite part was during 2nd Manassas, when the Confederates ran out of ammunition and repelled a charge by throwing rocks, which was a first among the reenacted battles I've seen!

The guest of honor on Saturday was Mr. Harold Becker, whose father fought in the Civil War. Nope, that's not a typo: his father was in the war 150 years ago. "How?!" you ask. His father, who lied about his age in order to enlist, was 71 years old when Mr. Becker was born in 1917. Thus, the 150-year bridge. Awesome? Awesome.

Mr. Becker, me, and my handsome bro-han.

As I mentioned, the sutlers at Jackson are quite numerous. I didn't do too much in the way of purchasing, but did get a new pair of boots which I have been badly needing, and a small gold [can't remember name!!] to fill with lavender and hang from my belt :)

Aren't they cute! They're quick to get on and off, too :)

It's pretty tiny--only about 1" across!

And now, I can't wait for the next event! I was hoping to hit Wolcott Mills in October, but it's not looking good judging by the syllabi I have been receiving this week. Hopefully I can still at least daytrip!

Hastings/Charlton Park Report

Well, it would seem that blogger ATE the Charlton Park post I put up before, so I shall write another. The internet cannot prevent me from proclaiming my love for this event!

The event last weekend was one of my favorites of all time. Great company, epic battles, a short appearance at a barn dance, varietous scenarios, and a more relaxing atmosphere than usual made it more than memorable. Out of the photos that have popped up on facebook, here are my favorites! They were taken by TGDavison Photography. Check out the rest of his Hastings photos here... they're amazing!

Here's my newly trimmed blue plaid in action! You can't see the sleeves very well, but get the general idea.

This is my favorite picture of the weekend--it shows my dear friend's nephew-to-be impressing me with his ability to spot colors. I'm wearing my green linen weave striped dress with the pagoda sleeve day bodice. (It has an evening bodice too, for less formal parties and dances that don't quite warrant a ballgown.) On top is... THE APRON!! It still needs one star, but close enough was close enough... I wanted to wear it! I donned it for almost the entire weekend, and it generated a not inconsiderable amount of comment. It was the only patriotic apron I saw at the event, which was surprising given that there was quite a rash of them last year. Either way, I am quite in love with it!

All in all, it was a more than successful weekend. I'll definitely be back... thank you Charlton Park for a great event!

Miracle Corset!

I just had to share this piece recently featured by "Two Nerdy History Girls" that totally rocked my world--a corset that laces itself! Too good to be true? Ha! Not anymore!

Front: Strings are attached to tabs,

which then get together tied in front.

Back: A string per pair of holes,

wrapping around to the front.

Genius? I think so! Despite the fact that it's later (the museum dates it to the 1830s-1840s but the lacing was probably installed afterwards), I am going to try this on my teal stays (if I ever finish them). It may not be accurate for that time, but if anyone gets close enough to tell... well... they shouldn't be so close. In the meantime, I will be able to dress myself, and will not get stuck in my stays if there's no one around to free me! I'd try it on my Victorian one too, but that one laces up a little differently every time I wear it, and thus would not be as efficient.

Check out the original post over here, or see the LACMA Museum page for more images and higher resolutions here.