Now that Spring is on the doorstep, I thought it about time I posted about the Winter event I attended in Vermont in February 2019. What a wonderful time. This event was less of a living history and more experimental archeology. We did not attempt first person, but rather wanted to experience winter fun activities as they would have in the 1860s.
For this event I concentrated on warm undergarments, a wool petticoat, Canton flannel drawers, wool stockings, quilted hood and a muff. I took a dress I already had adding new trim and tapes under the skirt to lift the skirt as needed.
The event was held in Chester Vermont. Quite a drive for me from Pennsylvania but an enjoyable drive as I had never been up to that part of the country before. I really knew I wasn’t in Kansas anymore when the “watch for deer” signs changed over to “watch for moose.” I left Thursday afternoon and drove as far as Poughkeepsie NY and then finished the way on Friday. I stopped at the original Vermont Country Store; ok, not period, but fun anyway.
The weekend also happened to be my birthday and Jessica gave me a lovely perforated paper bookmark she made.
We took over a sweet bed and breakfast, the Henry Farm Inn. It is 200 years old and was a tavern and stage stop. Our room was very comfortable with a private bath, small but accommodating. The innkeepers provided us with breakfasts as well as a lunch on Saturday.
Saturday the event officially started with a sleigh ride at the Taylor Farm. This is a working farm and farm store. They really got a kick out of us all dressed in period clothes.
The sleigh ride was my must do for this event. The ride left the farm and up to a cider house where there was a fire and a small shed for the cider. I really enjoyed the ride. Once we left the farm, it was pretty isolated so little noise other than the snorts of the horses, creak of the sleigh and jiggle of the sleigh bells.
Photos above courtesy of Jessica Craig.
This was also a great test for my warm weather clothes; most worked fine. My head was warm as were my hands and body, but the stockings were a fail. It never got unbearable, just very uncomfortable. And oh boy the fun of them warming back up. Will need to experiment with a different wool or perhaps heavier shoes.
After we returned from the sleigh ride, we had lunch at the Henry Farm. It was a wonderful hot meal and was just what we needed after the cold. Unfortunately, I did not participate in the afternoon skating and sledding. I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it through the snow to the pond. But those who went appeared to have a great time!! For safety they were wearing modern boot style ice skates (beside the fact that period ones in useable condition are next to impossible to find). The following photos are courtesy of Jessica Craig. You can find additional photos on her Shutterfly page.
Saturday night we went to dinner at the Fullerton Inn in Chester. It is a lovely building even if it does not continue to have its period character. After dinner, John Peterson led us in period games, which were very entertaining. We returned to the Taylor Farm after dinner for drinks and conversation. Photos again courtesy of Jessica Craig.
Sunday there were no period activities and I left fairly early after breakfast to make the drive home. As always, the events that Jessica Craig puts together are so much fun. This event really gave us an idea of winter activities of the 1860s and how they were accomplished. Yes, you can skate and sled in a corset and hoops. I can’t wait for the next Steady Habits Travelers’ event.
Categories: Civil War