'An Afternoon with General and Mrs. Dodge."

[Robert Braun]

Please join the Iowa County Historical Society on Thursday July 22, 2004 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for "An Afternoon with General & Mrs. Dodge."

Click here: www.geocities.com/old_lead/specialevent.htm

This living history program has been made possible through a cooperative venture with the Old Lead Region Historical Society.

The program is free and open to the public. Good-will donations are accepted, with 100% of the proceeds going for the continued preservation of the Dodge's Camp Cabin, W. Fountain Street, downtown Dodgeville Wisconsin.

[Laurel]

What is the Old Lead's involvement with this event. Would they like us to come in period atire or should be come to be part of the audience. It sounds like great fun!

Betsy

[Robert Braun]

Laurel, several Society members are donating their time as program support. I am confident that if other members wish to appear in period attire, this would be regarded as a special added attraction.


Let me know if you or any other members are interested!

Regards, Bob.

[Laurel]

I would definately be interested. Just let me know where and when and what, even if it is just to add some period color. I may be able to bring a boy or two as well.

Betsy

[Robert Braun]

All---

Please be aware that this program is designed to be a "first person" experience for visitors. OLRHS members are cordially invited... just be prepared to have a first-person persona appropriate to July 1832 and the format of the program!

If you need some ideas or help, please contact me!

Regards, Bob.

[Robert Braun]

We are in the final stages of planning for theis "Living History" program for the Iowa County Historical Society.

My sincere thanks to the many OLRHS members who stepped forward to offfer their support, participation, and well-wishes for this event!

Participants should arrive by 12:45 p.m. at the "Dodge Mining Camp Cabin" on E. Fountain Street, downtown Dodgeville. You should park on any street within a block of the site (there is construction further east on E. Fountain Street and west on W. Fountain Street, but this should not pose a parking problem.) The site is very small, with some shade. Plan on being outside, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore the two-room cabin and its displays. Event times are from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The temperature is expected to be in the low 80s. Bring water (we will have extra water on site.) There are no restroom facilities at the cabin-- but the library and city hall are just across the street. Bring something to sit on (I will have some crates there for this purpose.)

For those members who have indicated their attendance, here are your "first person" assignments:

• Greg Carter-- James Van Wagoner, militia soldier and scout, veteran of the Battle of Pecatonica, and freind of the Dodge Family;
  
• Mary Braun-- Christiana McDonald Dodge;
  
• Rachel Braun-- Christiana Helen Dodge;
  
• Laurel Urven-- Mrs. Mary Sublett O'Neill, wife of militia Captain John F. O'Neill of Mineral Point
  
• Ian Urven-- "Billy", a hired boy in the O'Neill household.
  

Again... my thanks to all!

See you at "Dodge's Camp!"

Regards, Bob.

[Robert Braun]

What an outstanding afteroon!

For a three hour event on a Thursday afternoon in July, we had about thirty visitors to the "Dodge Mining Camp Cabin!" Our profound thanks to the wonderful folks at the Iowa County Historical Society, and to the OLRHS members who made this first-person event "come alive"-- Betsy Urven, Steve Merkel, Ian Urven, and Mary and Rachel Braun!

Numerous interested visitors asked all of us some excellent questions! "Mrs. Dodge" and "Mrs. O'Neill" gave folks a real feel for the rigors, family routines, and yes lonliness endured by women during this segment of Wisconsin's History; "Billy" did a very good job as Mrs. O'Neill's hired boy-- and who proceeded to lose several days wages to the deft cribbage play of militia volunteer and scout "Pony Fletcher"; "Christiana Helen Dodge" nearly stole the show with her mountian dulcimer playing, and several visitors closely questioned "Col. Dodge" on his views on lead region settlement, Indian relations, and the politics of the seperation of the western region from the Michigan Territory.

Our particular thanks for the support and warm wishes offered by our Society's president, Pete Shrake, who stopped by the "Dodge Mining Camp Cabin" on his way to Apple River Fort to deliver a talk on the Winnebago War for the fort volunteers.

We look forward to our next visit with the fine folks of Dodgeville and the ICHS!

Regards, Bob.

[Robert Braun]

The website has been updated with a brief write-up and color images on this first-time event!

Check it out at www.geocities.com/old_lead/new.htm

Regards,

Bob.