Recalling Silhouettes

A recent post on the Historic Trades Preservation Special Interest Group on Facebook reminded me of project that I worked on last summer.  Something that I'd like to revisit at some point: Silhouette Portraits.

His Excellency, George Washington in silhouette.

Popular in Europe in the mid 1700’s, Silhouette portraits, or Shades, didn’t become popular in America until the 1780s, then they really took off in Victorian times. Between 1775 and 1778, a gentleman by the name of Johann Casper Lavater published a book in Germany on the subject of Physiognomy (defining a person’s personality based on their facial features). In that book was an engraving of a “Device for taking Silhouettes.” Lavater would use the silhouettes as part of his studies into the then science of physiognomy.

Laveter's "Device"

Curious about the idea, I blew up a portion of the engraving and used the height of a standard chair seat to determine the dimensions of the Silhouette Frame illustrated. I recreated the frame using hand tools and period woodworking techniques. I used acrylic sheet instead of glass for safety reasons (don't need it falling over on a visitor), but otherwise there's nothing modern in it.

Estimated measurements in inches.

Google SketchUp drawing to determine possible construction.

Construction started in my basement.
Here the curved top piece is being shaped.

Once the weather warmed up, the "workshop" was moved outside.

Cutting the grooves for the glass.

Finished frame, minus finials on top

Stained for a more period appearance.

Testing the device with daughter #2.

 We had a chance to try it out in a period setting (Ethan Allen Homestead, circa 1787), which led to a few discoveries. First we tried setting it up in front of a large window in the house's parlor, but the day was overcast, and the window didn't provide enough light. Next we tried it with a (modern) lamp, which was better. Next step will be to try it out with a candle and mirror setup as shown in the illustration (we didn't have any of those on hand). Turns out, period houses don't necessarily have level floors either, which may explain the platform in the engraving.

Trying the frame out in (almost) period conditions.

Not bad with a modern light.

As I've dug deeper into the subject of Shade Portraits, I've found that later editions of Lavater's book show a more sophisticated frame, fixed to a chair, with an adjustable glass. Other instruments for enlarging and decreasing the outlines were also built, so there's a lot more research I can get into for future experiments.

A more complex version

An artist's reimagining of the scene.

It was fun doing something a little different, and introducing visitors to something sort of artistic. It also didn't hurt that there were fried apples cooking on the hearth in the kitchen next to the parlor, making for a super inviting environment.

Ethan Allen Day - Ethan Allen Homestead

This past weekend, the girls and I attended our first “official” event of the 2019 season with Warner's Regiment. A few years ago, the State of Vermont declared June 23^rd to be “Ethan Allen Day.” For those not familiar with Allen, he's a bit of a folk hero in Vermont for fighting back against New Yorkers who were trying to claim New Hampshire land grants, and also for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in the days after the start of the American Revolution. His last home was in today's Burlington, Vermont, and the land has been turned into a small museum and education center.

The girls, harassing the museum exhibits.

 Since I was headed to the event as one parent with four girls, we opted to drive up the morning of the event, rather than the night before. We did take our tent, so the girls would have a place to relax out of public view, as well as a base of operations for things like diaper changes.

3/4 of the crew, taking a break.

For this event, the focus was to be on Distaff and civilian activities, with the military playing a smaller part. As such, there were other groups there demonstrating spinning, wood carving, flax preparation and other things. The men, women and children of Warner's also demonstrated sewing, knitting, games, and more. Overall, it was a very casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Relaxing in the shade.

About mid-day, the soldiers from the Regiment demonstrated some close order and open order drill. There is a popular myth that all Revolutionary War battles were men lined up in long lines taking turns shooting at each other in open fields, but the War in the northern theater was a bit different. We demonstrated how men would have gone about moving through woods and broken terrain.

Your humble author, defending The Grants.

Later in the afteroon, a couple of the men taught some basic drill movements to members of the public, who were given wooden practice muskets to learn with. While this was happening, a group of our Distaff members learned basic black powder and musket safety and handling. This was led by a couple of our female members who usually portray soldiers, but for this event chose to take part as Distaff.

Engaging with the public.

By afternoon, my children had hit their energy limits, so I gathered them all up and headed back home. The next morning, they were all still tired, so I returned to the Homestead alone to take part in Sunday's activities, and to retrieve our tent and equipment.

Distaff weapons training.

Sunday started with a short religious service by our Regimental Chaplain. I'm not much of a church-goer, but I really enjoy hearing a sermon while sitting out on the grass, under the shade of a tree, with birds and a breeze as a backdrop.

Sunday services.

The rest of the day brought more drilling and demonstrations, ending about mid afternoon. It was an excellent start to the “official” season.

Sisters strolling the orchard.

Nature girl.

Learning to fire.

Musket training.

Some 18th century gaming.

Projecting confidence.

"Make READY!"

Reflection and relaxation.

  

Out for a walk.

The "official" portrait.

Her fourth season.

The unofficial portrait.

* Photos by myself, Elaina Davis, Crystal Bailey, and Heather Kenyon-Haff

Home and Hearth Living History Day - Ethan Allen Homestead

Farmer and Joiner, Swapping Stories

8 June, 1787

A pleasant day. G-- and I made our way North to the farm of Col. Allen where we found the House and Fields alive with Work and Laughter; Col. Allen is expected to take up residence this coming Fall and his People are well into Prepartations; Flax and Tobacco are to be found in the Gardens, well tended, and Craftsmen are preparing Furniture and Goods for the Family; a Hearty Stew was set before us for the Noonday Meal, which Illicited fond Memories from Myself and my Comrades also in attendence. Several of Us had served with Col. Allen before the War, then later under Hopkins with Warner whilst defending the Grants. Soldier's Stew is something well known to Us. We departed early Afternoon, as we had a Second Gathering to attend towards Evening.

Flax Breaking Demonstrations

A general call was sent out for volunteers for Ethan Allen Homestead Museum's first Living History Day of the season.  My daughter Gabriella and I answered the call, heading up to provide, if nothing else, a couple of able bodies.  We brought along most of our reenacting kit, along with some basket-making material.

Soldier with His Gear

We arrived just before opening, and the first few people we ran into were friends from our usual unit, Warner's Regiment.  One of my fellow soldiers had his kit laid out to explain his gear's uses, and our Captain had brought along his woodworking tools, spending the day portraying a joiner building a new bed for use on the 2nd floor of the Homestead.

The Kitchen, Vibrant and Alive

Inside the house, another volunteer was working to prepare food for visitors, using the Homestead's open hearth and bake oven.  The noon-time meal, which was absolutely delicious, was beef stew, bread, and switchel.  This brought on talks of what we may eat later in the season, once our Warner's activities start up in a couple of weeks.

Bread From the Oven

Gabriella, true to form, quickly hooked up with another volunteer who was outside with period games for children.  The Homestead was her first exposure to the world of Historical Reenacting years ago, and it was neat to see 11 year-old her conversing with visitors in the place where 6 year-old her first became interested in the past.

Joinery Work in the Yard

Before we left, another friend from Warner's arrived with his wife and son, so we were able to catch up a bit.  Past exploits of Warner's (recreated and original), local history, and modern families were all topics of discussion.  It was an incredibly pleasant and relaxing day.  We're looking forward to returning again in a couple of weeks.

New Bed in Progress

* Photos from The Ethan Allen Homestead Facebook page.

Inventory Day - Part 2

Several days ago, I posted in regards to taking inventory of my overall reenacting kit.  Basically, covering everything that I carry myself while portraying either a soldier or civilian during the American Revolutionary War.

The same afternoon as I took my personal inventory, I took a quick inventory of what we have, and need, for my wife and children.  My 2nd oldest daughter has been partaking in reenactments since she was six, so she's built up a pretty decent kit.  However, she just turned 11, and as children do, she's outgrown most of her things.  Luckily these can be passed along to the younger sisters.

The Ladies Collection.

From left to right, I laid out what we have for my wife and four daughters (my oldest daughter doesn't reenact with us).  Unfortunately, there's not a lot here, and we have a lot of work to do.

My wife started joining us at events last summer, so we quickly pulled together a basic kit for her, including a shift, petticoat, and jacket.  The shift needs to be fitted still, and the jacket needs to be finished.  She had a cap, but that seems to have gone missing.  She still needs stays, pockets, and under petticoat, apron, kerchief, and some sort of headwear.

Next is the 2nd oldest daughter.  This is actually her very first outfit that was made for us when she first started.  Petticoat still fits, and can be lengthened if needed.  The jacket is a bit tight, but may do for another couple of events.  Her apron is too short, but it'll do.  Again missing headwear.

The blue dress was her second outfit, quickly outgrown.  This will work for our six year-old.  She needs an apron and cap, but at least has shoes and a hat, unlike the others.

The next two gowns are borrowed for the little ones.  Basically we just need something to put them in so they are not in modern clothes.  Again, missing caps and shoes.  Once these are outgrown (probably this year), they'll be passed along to others in our Regiment.

On the plus side, we have eating gear for everyone.

Tomb of the Unknown

A gentle breeze rustled the yellow-green sunlit leaves. The ground was a carpet of long fallen foliage, occasionally punctured by moss-covered rocks, and strewn with fallen branches and trees. Below us, the distant sound of moving water acted as a backdrop to singing of birds above us. We sat quietly, enjoying the cool air and peacefulness. I reached out and touched one of the cool, damp rocks of the cairn that we crouched next to. Below those rocks lay an unknown soldier of the American Revolution.

Vermont's Unknown Soldier

Spoken tradition has it that two Continental soldiers were returning home along the Crown Point Road, which wound its way over the Green Mountains of Vermont from Crown Point, New York, to the Fort at #4 in New Hampshire. The soldiers, possibly staying at a nearby encampment spot, were drinking from a spring when one of them passed away. The deceased man's comrade buried him nearby, at the top of a knoll in the woods. The soldier lay undiscovered until 1935.

Sign at the Crossroads pointing to ... something?

Reverend William Ballou, a Boy Scout master from Chester, Vermont, heard the story of the soldier from Moses Townsend of Ludlow, Vermont, who owned the land at the time. On October 19^th of 1935, Reverend Ballou and Donald Wheatley, also of the Boy Scouts, investigated and were able to confirm the location of the grave. In November of that year, the Chester Boy Scout troop cleared forest debris from around the area. A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a Revolutionary War Veteran marker and flag at the gravesite soon after.

The van could have made it (probably)

Until 1995, the location had been marked only by wooden signs. These signs had been replaced in 1963, and again in 1984. In February of 1995, the Vermont legislature designated the nameless veteran to be Vermont's official “Unknown Soldier.” In June of that year, Vermont Representative Bernie Sanders put forth legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to award the unkown soldier the Medal of Honor. I've not found evidence that this was awarded, however.

Boy Scout Sign

Boy Scout Sign Detail

On July 4^th of 1995, the wooden signs marking the soldier's resting place were joined by granite Crown Point Road marker #34, dedicated by the Vermont State Guard.

Crown Point Road Marker #34

Crown Point Marker Detail

This morning, my youngest daughter and I set out to find Vermont's Unknown Soldier. The drive was pleasant, and the back-road to reach the trail was fairly well maintained. There was a wooden sign at an old crossroads, that, in theory, pointed the correct way. The sign was less than informative about what it was actually pointing to, however.

Path up the hill

Nearing the top

Two legs of the crossroads were maintained gravel. The other two legs appeared to be old logging roads. Not trusting my van on a log road (experience does sometimes teach us), I parked in a clearing and picked the road that looked most likely. Slinging my toddler up onto my shoulders, I walked the road into the woods, roughly 460 paces, passing a little cabin along the way. The Crown Point marker, and wooden sign pointing to the grave site, were easy to spot next to the muddied track. Running between the granite marker and the wooden sign was a small path, leading up into the woods. After a steep climb of about 280 paces, we arrived at the burial site.

Gravesite and markers

Boy Scout Marker

After paying our respects, we spent a few minutes exploring. Walking down the hill opposite the direction of the path, we quickly found a small stream with clear running water. Though we didn't find the head of it, this could easily have been the water source mentioned in the story. Just beyond the little trickle of water, the Class IV road appeared again, so rather than climb back up through the woods, we hopped the stream and made our way back to the van.

At the bottom of the hill

There's water here somewhere

I've visited the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, D.C. This was a much more real experience.

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