Pendarvis September 24, 2005

[Robert Braun]

Members and friends,

On Saturday, September 24, the Old Lead Region Historical Society has been invited to provide "living history" presentations at Pendarvis State Historic Site. Look for our group mentioned at the Pendarvis website: www.wisconsinhistory.org/pendarvis/events.asp?id=189&dte=

While we are still five weeks off, I would like to get a sense of who might be available to help us this day, from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. (plan on arriving by 9 a.m. )

This is a "first person" event, and attendees will be expected to chat with visitors in "first person," much as we did at the Dodge Mining Camp Cabin a year ago. We will provide you with a hot lunch (weather-dependant... who wants hot soup when its 95 degrees out?)

Thank you for considering attending this one day event. If you need any assistance in putting together a "first person" impression for September, 1832, please let me know!

Best,

Bob Braun
Secretary, OLRHS.

[pshrake]

Hi Bob,

I very much plan on being there!

Pete

[richw]

Bob,

Count me in!. Do we have any planned activities?
If anyone wants to do woodworking, I have a carload of period tools. I can bring my grindstone, too (or two...). Or a small loom, or kitchen stuff, or,... or... we can just sit around and belch and scratch...

[Robert Braun]

richw said:

Bob,

Count me in!. Do we have any planned activities?
If anyone wants to do woodworking, I have a carload of period tools. I can bring my grindstone, too (or two...). Or a small loom, or kitchen stuff, or,... or... we can just sit around and belch and scratch...

I want to plan a varitey of activities if possible. It's always better conversation starters for people to be seeing period activities. Folks standing around waiting for "who knows what?" is a crashing bore. I am open to an array of pertinent activies, even if it is occasional gaming (dicem faro, etc.)

Woodworking is an excellent offering. I would also like someone to talk lead digging (I'll bring appropriate props, tools, and some "mineral.) Fir-pers (first person portrayals) of local folks would also be good-- I'm trying to talk my #2 son into doing a Peter Parkinson Jr. impression, along with the work/demo activities. What else would folks like to do?

This presentation is a big break for us. I sincerely appreciate everyone's interest!

Regards,

Bob Braun

[Laurel]

Bob,

I very much regret to inform you that I can not attend the Pendarvis event. That is the same weekend as Wade Houses Civil War Weekend and I have to work both days. I'm not happy about this but I'm sure you'll have a fine showing for the day.

Betsy

[Robert Braun]

All--

It looks like we have an excellent showing lined up for Pendarvis-- nine members have indicated they will be present! My thanks to all who have arranged their busy schedules to be present!

As the time-period is September 1832, post BHW, there will be less of a need for a "militia muster" per se than Mineral Point persona. I have tentatively worked up the following first-person identities, which may change depending upon how much script material for your fact sheets I can find, and wheterh or not these selections are acceptable to you:

Pete Shrake-- Edward Beouchard
Richard Wothington-- John B. Terry
Anne Danko -- Matilda Hood
Karl Kapheingst-- John Hood
Steve Merkel-- John "Pony" Fletcher
Greg Carter-- William Carnes
Mary Braun-- Mrs. Christiana McDonald Dodge
Rachel Braun-- Salina Genevieve Dodge
Andrew Braun-- "Gus" Dodge
Bob Braun-- Ezra Lamb or Gen. Henry Dodge

I have tried to pick persons better suited to the individual portayer. For example.. in Rich's case, "John B. Terry" was a local lead smelter and merchant-- suited to discussions on both lead digging and material culture of the period, of which Rich is very knowledgable. Pete's "Edward Beauchard" was a militia Lieutenant at Mound Fort, a close confidant of Dodge, and appointed a U. S. Indian sub-agent after the St. Vrain massacre. Who better to talk about U. S. Indian relations than Pete? Anne and Karl's impression of John and Matilda Hood is a little cagier-- they were regarded as among Mineral Point's first inhabitants; they also donated the land upon which Fort Jackson was built at Mineral Point. In fact, it was Matilda that suggested the name for the fort!

I am hoping Steve will consider a reprise of his excellent portrayal of "Pony" Fletcher" Black Hawk War scout and skilled horseman from Fort Clark, at White Oak Springs.

I'm debating having Andrew do either Peter Parkinson (who was 19) or Augustus ("Gus") Dodge, the family's youngest son, who was 20. Rachel gets promoted from Chrisitana Dodge (who was 11 in 1832) to Salina Genevieve, who was 14.

Mary will hopefully reprise her outstanding impression of Mrs. Christiana McDonald Dodge. We have been told that her resemblance to Christiana is remarkable!

Please write me for more details on your persona. Fax numbers are appreciated!

Again... thank you for your interest and support!

Bob Braun
Secretary,
Old Lead Region Historical Society

[Cliff Krainik]

GOING TO THE OLD LEAD REGION ...


Michele and I will be at Pendarvia on Saturday, September 24th and look forward to your wonderful presentation.

Good luck with all - "break a pick."

Cliff Krainik

[Laurel]

You guys are killing me here. You are going to have a killer impression I have to miss it!(stamp my little feet) If you still have energy after Pendarvis I'd like to invite you to Wade House's Civil War Weekend.

Betsy

[Robert Braun]

Thank you for the kind offer! Andrew and I are intent on a dash to Wade House Sunday morning. He has a rendezvous with a certain young lady and her birthday party Saturday evening...

We have received a very positive reponse and support from the Pendarvis staff, and are looking forward to a very fun day at the site!!

Cliff and Michele... it will be wonderful to see you both again! Mary will be at Pendarvis... and little Rachel (whom you kindly gave a ride after the Fort Jackson monument dedication) is... well...not so little any more! She will be there as well!

Until Saturday morning...


Best to all,

Bob.

[Robert Braun]

I just learned that Rich has been under the weather this week, and regrets that he will not be able to join us at Pendarvis.

We will miss him, and wish him a speedy recovery!

[Robert Braun]

Directions to Pendarvis:

1. From the north, take Highway 151 south from Route 18/Dodgeville
2. Exit onto Route 23; turn left towards Mineral Point
3. BEFORE coming into Mineral Point, turn left onto Shake Rag Street (follow brown and white “Pendarvis” sign)
4. Pass the “Soldier’s Memorial Park” recreation area on your left, and turn left into visitor parking at the intersection of Spruce Street and Shake Rag Street, near “Merry Christmas Mine Trail.”.
5. Cross Shake Rag Street and walk up Spruce Street to Visitor Center (white building to your right) Restrooms and potable water are located here.
6. Event site is located behind and to the left of this white building, in the shade and next to a large cliff-like rock outcropping.
7. Heading north from Darlington, stay on 23 until the first major intersection in south Mineral Point. Follow brown and white Wisconsin park sign and turn right on Shake Rag Street.
8. Follow to intersection with Spruce Street. Turn right into parking lot near “Merry Christmas Mine Trail.”

[Robert Braun]

Our thanks to the fine folks at Pendarvis State Historic Site, and particularly to the OLRHS members and freinds who supported this event!

We had a nice steady flow of visitors, with a nice array of folks and some outstanding questions! Apaprently it was "old home" week as well, as we thrilled to chat with Cliff Krainik and Neil Giffey, among others! We were sheltered in a grove of trees, which kept most of the drizzle off until 3 p.m.-- when it really rained in earnest! We packed up at that point, but not before putting out our fire and restoring the area to the way we found it.

Sincere appreciation to Anne, Karl, Pete, Kim, Ethan, Steve, Mary, Rachel, & Andrew for an excellent interpretive day!

We look forward to our next venture at Pendarvis!

Bob Braun

Postscript-- Cliff, we were sorry to have the rain spoil our time together! Mary filled us in on the news of your son in New Orleans! We hope all turns out well for him-- and for you! Mathew B. Krainik will be in our prayers these next weeks.

Best, Bob.