Dear History MA and PhD Students, Please respond to Steve Jones directly if you are interested in this. Best, Mack Holt >Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:51:29 -0400 >From: "Jones, Steven CTR" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Living History opportunities in the DC area >Sender: [log in to unmask] >To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] >Thread-topic: Living History opportunities in the DC area >Thread-index: Acmhz1GDXtBn8W/nQNOPimtVDLdMig== >X-IronPort-Anti-Spam-Filtered: true >X-IronPort-Anti-Spam-Result: > AhMCAG/ouEmYeTEMlGdsb2JhbACVNAEBAQEJCwgJEQWtfwmOaoJLEYExBmGDOIJqJA >X-IronPort-AV: E=Sophos;i="4.38,351,1233550800"; d="scan'208";a="55488724" >X-Proofpoint-Virus-Version: vendor=fsecure > engine=1.12.7400:2.4.4,1.2.40,4.0.166 > definitions=2009-03-12_10:2009-03-12,2009-03-12,2009-03-12 signatures=0 > >Professors Bristol, Holt, and Barnes, > >I am on the board of a local living history/re-enactment group that >may hold some appeal to George Mason students (or even faculty). >Ship's Company is a relatively large organization of its type, >offering a unique program with benefits to the participants and to >the public. > >Our mission is: "To preserve and interpret the history and tradition >of the US Naval services for the education of the public." In >particular, we represent sailors and marines from the year 1775 to >1865. This is accomplished in two major groups. > >The Early War group participates in living history and battle >re-enactments of the Revolution and the War of 1812. As such, we >help interpret the details of the battles which occurred in this >region and demonstrate maritime crafts and activities to the public. >Naval artillery units participated in several land battles in this >region, and we retell the stories, man our field cannon, and ferry >soldiers and marines to and from the beaches. > >The Civil War group mans the U.S.S. Constellation in Baltimore once >a month, to enhance their program with demonstrations of seamanship, >cutlass drill, cannon drill, living condition representations and >the like. > >I am writing you to seek new recruits. We have noticed that with the >bicentennial of the War of 1812 coming up, interest has been >growing. Our group offers opportunities to learn about this part of >our past while rowing one of our boats, sailing our 50 foot >schooner, manning a 6 pound field piece, camping in a tent or >sleeping in a hammock. It is great fun, and I have personally >learned much about our country's history while doing it. > >We also offer a very low personal start-up investment, when compared >with army re-enactors. Muskets are not required, enlisted sailors >did not have uniforms until 1840, so clothing can start simply, and >dues are $15 per year. Civil War sailors have more involved uniform >requirements, but still affordable by college students. There are no >requirements regarding participation - some members only join us for >one event a year. > >Our web-site is www.shipscompany.org. If you think there might be >any interest among your students, let me know. I would be willing to >speak with a group on the subject or even sing a few chanteys if >desired. The president and other points of contact are listed in the >site. We can provide 'recruitment posters' if they could find a home >on campus. If there isn't any interest at all, we can always send a >press-gang. > >Thanks for your time, > >Steve Jones >Member-at-Large, Ship's Company >571-259-7070 cell >[log in to unmask] -- ********************* Mack P. Holt Professor of History Director of Graduate Studies George Mason University Mail Stop 3G1 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 Direct office phone: (703)-993-1259 Fax: (703)-993-1251