Living history participants take time out from the busy activities for a chat. Living History Participants Relive The Past This gal in the straw hat and pantaloons looks as though she just stepped from the pages of a history book. Cutting wood for a cooking fire. Lancaster FjK^mg LINDA WILLIAMS Bedford Co. Correspondent BEDFORD (Bedford Co.) “Living history is not just about firing guns and having mock bat tles,” said Roger Kirwin, director of Old Bedford Village. “Instead, it’s about men, women, and children who want to know what it actually felt like to live during a specific period of time.” On a rainy June weekend at Old Bedford Village, it was the Civil War era. “This was a romantic period of history,” said Carolyn Kegg, a faithful volunteer at the Village. “The people who participate in Living History are families. Ev eryone gets involved including the children.” They make costumes so au- thentic that even the fabric is ex actly the same as that made in the mid-1800’s. Living history participants carry purses, guns, powder flasks, just as they did during the Civil War. On their feet are high button shoes and long stockings. Eyelet trimmed pantaloons peek from beneath long gingham skirts. If it’s raining, they have to lift their skirts to jump the puddles. “They truly learn how it feels to cook over an open fire in pots and pans used during the Civil War era. Women quickly leam the dangers long sleeves and long dresses pose while cooking over an open flame. They leam what it is like to sleep in a tent on a wet, rainy night,” said Roger. Both those who participate in living history events and the Civil War re-enactors meet at Old Bedford Village the third week end in June each year. “This past year we had 420 who portrayed every part of Civil War Era living, from cooking to doctors and surgeons. They did everything from re-enact a Civil War battle to hold a grand ball in the village bam during the eve ning. Some of the post popular living history participants at the village were Joseph and Christine Mieczkowski who portray Simon and Margaretta Cameron. A sen ator from Pennsylvania in 1799, Simon Cameron began his politi cal career when he replaced fu ture president James Buchanan in the Senate. A former Demo crat, turned Republican, Camer on had widespread interests in such things as newspapers, bank ing, canal building, railroad con struction, and manufacturing. He served in Lincoln’s cabinet. He was a visitor to the Gettys burg battlefield shortly after hos tilities ceased. Later, Cameron was present for the address Lin coln made at the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettys burg. Joseph Mieczkowski says he looks so much like Simon Camer on that many people think the old portrait he has of the senator is actually him. Christine, on the Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 30, 2003-823 Taking a stroll through the village. Is this Huck Finn or a living history participant? It’s dif ficult to tell the difference. The general sits down to read...battle plans perhaps. other hand, says she does not look that much like Margaretta but enjoys the role anyway. The costuming and all of the other necessary paraphanallia are purchased through publica tions such as the Civil War Times and at stores located at all living history events. Living history enthusiasts haunt antique shops in hopes of Ready for the battle. “Senator Simon and Mar garetta Cameron” as por trayed by Joseph and Christine Mieczkowski near Harrisburg. finding even more authentic items. Participants in the living histo ry event attended the Village from California, New England, Ohio, and all parts of Pennsylva nia.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers