Front Page Stories from 2011

The Market Fair at
Historic Locust Grove

It was a perfect fall weekend on October 29 and 30th for the annual 18th Century Market Fair at Historic Locust Grove. With vendors of 18th century wares, food, a tactical battle and of course the stately home at Locust Grove there was much for visitors to see and enjoy. Click here for more.

The Battle of Perryville

2011 Schoenbrunn Village
Colonial Fair

Confederate Soldiers on Horseback charged at Federal troops in the 149th Commemoration at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site on October 1& 2.
First Photos Now Loaded!     An Artist Looks at Perryville - Now Loaded!

The 3rd Annual Schoenbrunn Village Colonial Fair was held October 15 and 16, 2011, in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Click here for photos.

Learn more about The Moravian Missionaries

The Painted Stone Settlers present
the 13th Annual Long Run Massacre

The Siege of Fort Boonesborough

Re-enactors gathered at Fort Boonesborough State Park over the weekend to portray the Great Siege of 1778. The weather cooperated and over 800 school children attended on Friday. First Photos Now Loaded! Additional photos now loaded!

Settlers from Squire Boone’s Painted Stone Station decided to evacuate the Station in September of 1781. They were attacked by Indians along the route. History calls it The Long Run Massacre. The 13th Annual Event went off with beautiful weather, 600 School children on Friday, great demonstrators and performers and a salute to September 11. First Photos now loaded!  Additional photos also loaded!

Cornets and Cannons

Fair at New Boston 2011

Cornets and Cannons ended it’s weekend long series of Civil War Band performances with a “Battle of the Bands” in Frankfort, Kentucky. First Photos Now Loaded!

Visitors were treated to a multitude of sites and sounds from the late 18th snd early 19th centuries at the Fair at New Boston. during the Labor Day Weekend in Springfield, Ohio. Additional Photos and Newsreels now loaded!

Art at the Eiteljorg Museum

The Quest for the West Art Show and Sale opened at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art on September 9-10. The show features some of the best western artists in the country, including John Buxton, H. David Wright and Robert Griffing. The show runs through October 9, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The opening weekend generated over $900,000 in sales.

The 229th Commemoration of the Battle of Blue Licks

On August 19 & 20, 2011 Re-Enactors gathered on the historic land at Blue Licks Battlefield for the 229th Commemoration of Kentucky’s deadliest battle of the Revolutionary War. Photos Now loaded!

Pictured at the show opening are artist John Buxton and Suzanne Larner Dennis. Dennis portrays “Mad Anne Bailey” and appears in Buxton’s painting.

Barns and Buildings - A Look at History

History is captured in many of the historic homes in Kentucky. Viewing historic homes not only takes a look at the similarities of the architecture from 1790 until the mid 1800’s but also the lives of the people that lived in them. Click here to see the historic homes and for a feature article on Holly Rood - The Clark Mansion in Winchester, KY

Oldham County, Kentucky artist Ann Carter reflects history in the barns that she paints. Says Carter, “barns have a story to tell. They have a history.” Read her story and see more of her work....

15th Anniversary of The Contemporary Long Rifle Association

Seven Year War group visits Fort Boonesborough

 Click here for photos!

Photos Coming Soon!

The Jane Austen Festival

The Raid and Settlement of Fort Harrod

Visitors and participants reveled in the Regency Era Fashions at the 4th Annual Jane Austen Festival at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY. A Regency Tea, a Style Show , shopping in the Shoppes of Meryton, a theatrical performance and more filled the weekend. All photos now loaded!

 All photos and video now loaded!

It’s “Hands On” Programming at Women on the Frontier 2011

A Visit to the Camp Nelson
Interpretive Center

Women re-enactors and visitors got a strictly “hands on” weekend at the 2011 Women on the Frontier at Fort Boonesborough. This year’s theme of “Food and Fiber” had each woman try her hand at carding and spinning wool, milking a cow, food preparation and (shown above) salting meat for preservation of foodstuffs, 18th century cooking and more. Photos of the weekend now loaded!

THE CAMP NELSON CIVIL WAR SITE is located along US 27 in extreme southern Jessamine County, Kentucky about five miles south of Nicholasville. The original camp covered 4,000 acres with some 300 buildings and fortifications. The Union Army turned the rolling pasture land of Jessamine County into an enormous base of operations. All of the buildings, save an officers' quarters, were dismantled and sold following the closure of the base. Photos of the Interpretive Center

Gravestone Marker Dedication

May 15, 2011 Cave Hill Cemetary Louisville, KY

Lt. Colonel George P. Jouett and Major Wiliam G. Campbell
Officers of The 15th Kentucky Regiment, killed in action at the Battle of Perryville 1862

Memorial Day at the Camp Nelson National Cemetery - Click Here

Click here for the newsreel!

“Beyond Photography”

Graphic Enterprises exhibit “Beyond Photography” will be at The Oldham County Colonial Fair in LaGrange, KY on June 4 & 5, 2011. This series “Beyond Photography” debuted on February 26th and 27, 2010 at The Colonial and Civil War Trade Fair hosted by The Salt River Long Rifles in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“Beyond Photography” is a series of Giclee Prints framed and signed by the artists. Most of these prints deal with historic settings, log cabins, barns and landscapes. They are printed with archival papers and high quality pigment inks - framed and ready to hang in your home or office.

The print at the left is titled “From Boston to Kentucky” and at right “Girl Carding Wool” both are by Jim Cummings. All prints are available framed and available for purchase. Email for more details.

A Visit to The Red River Museum
by Jim Cummings

Artifacts and memorabilia in Clay City, KY

Additional Photos Now Loaded!

Bardstown Colonial Days

Historic Locust Grove hosts Spring Event

Bardstown Colonial Days drew a great crowd for a first year event. Situated in Historic Bardstown, Kentucky the event was spread out over several venues. Traders set up shop in the Pioneer Village (photo above), Military encampments were at Wickland - Home of three Governors - and evenings were spent at the Talbott Tavern which was built in the late 1700’s. A Rifle frolic took place both Saturday and Sunday and entertainment spots were located throughout the event. Photos and story now loaded!

It was a cold weekend for Locust Grove’s 18th Century Thunder event on April 16 & 17. See Photos

White Hall Receives Honor

By Jim and Kathy Cummings

White Hall State Historic Site was named an historic site in Journalism on April 12, 2011.The Recognition Ceremony was held at White Hall. The honor was presented by The Society of Professional Journalists. Eastern Kentucky University’s student SPJ Chapter and Department of Communication made the nomination. Photos, story and newsreel clip
 of The Ceremony - Click here

The Rev. Charles Herrick, a great great grandson of Cassius M. Clay and Mrs. Sallie Clay Lanham. also a great great granddaughter of Cassius M. Clay represented the Clay Family Society. They are pictured with Hagit Limor, President of The Society of Professional Journalists.

New Civil War Exhibit
 at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum

Photos by Jim Cummings 
  Story by Kathy Cummings

Read about the Civil War Symposium and view photos of The Civil War Exhibit.

March is Women’s History Month

By Jim Cummings

Pioneer Times/Graphic Enterprises is supporting the National Women’s History Month. Thousands of schools, communities and workplaces honor this celebration.

The 2011 theme is Our History is Our Strength. 

This celebration is designated by Joint Resolutions of the House and the Senate. It has also been designated by six American presidents and is an opportunity to honor and celebrate women’s historic achievements.

We at Pioneer Times have always taken an active roll in supporting Women in History. We currently have DVD projects on first person presentations of Mad Anne Bailey, who was a hunter, scout and messenger on the Virginia frontier in the late 1700’s. Her story is presented by Suzanne Larner Dennis. Maggie Delaney, Indentured Servant is a composite character created and portrayed by Carol Jarboe who has done extensive research into indentured servitude.

In addition we showcased Melanie Kuntz during her first person portrayals of Anne McGinty and Esther Whitley. Tamla Boone also appeared on our front page as Polly Strong and her fight for freedom in the Indiana Supreme Court in 1820. Mandy Dick portrays Lucy Clark Croghan at Locust Grove and also other historic characters. Fort Boonesborough’s Annual Women on the Frontier has always been an event we are involved in.

Seasoned re-enactors like Kristi Heasley and Pam Eddy appear many times both as portrayers of history and promoters of events. Heasley, annually sponsors a spring trek to Marble Creek - a land once owned by Daniel Boone. Eddy, in addition to working for The National Park Service at Cumberland Gap has started a ladies historic sewing and crafts guild entitled “The Goodwife Guild.”

Featured stories:   Mercy Otis Warren      Mary Ingles    Sybil Ludington

Author Harry Enoch Speaks at the Filson Historical Society

Mad Anne Bailey DVD Debuts

After a snow postponement from earlier in the winter Harry Enoch appeared at the Filson on March 14. He is the author of Colonel John Holder: Boonesborough Defender & Kentucky Entrepreneur. The book chronicles the story of Colonel Holder, who defended one of pioneer Kentucky's major settlements. Holder became commander of the fort after Daniel Boone left the area. Because of his business enterprises, Lower Howard's Creek became one of the first industrial areas of Kentucky. Enoch's meticulously documented book gives a thorough picture of this influential man's life.

Production of the DVD of Suzanne Larner Dennis portraying Mad Anne Bailey was completed just in time for the Fireside Chat at Fort Boonesborough State Park and is now available for online ordering.

Click here for story and photos

See also “The Land Time Forgot” by Kathy Cummings

The End of an Era - White Turtle 1954-2011

Larry “Heavy” Wilcher
1958 - 2011

A special tribute - after the passing of long time native re-enactor White Turtle. Friends are invited to a service on Tuesday, January 11, 2011. Begin this multi page tribute to Turtle by clicking here.

Follow up- The Family of White Turtle is planning a celebration of his life in Hart County, Kentucky on April 17, 2011. Postponed due to weather . More details to follow.

Larry “Heavy” Wilcher lost his battle with cancer last Monday morning at 1:05 AM. Larry was known to many as the proprietor of the Rolling Fork Trade Company. He was a long time member and past president of The Salt River Longrifles. Click here for information on funeral arrangements. A tribute to Larry Wilcher - please click here.
Additional tributes and photos from the funeral - click here!

Fort Boonesborough Foundation’s
 February Fireside Chats 2011

Andrew Montour or Sattelihu
Speaks at Final 2011 Fireside Chat

Albert Roberts portrays an 18th Century Doctor with knowledge and humor

The fourth and final fireside chat in the 2011 Series at Fort Boonesborough State Park featured Andrew Montour a half French, half Oneida of the French and Indian War Era. Portrayed by Bill Hunt of West Virginia, Montour or Sattelihu (c1720-1772) was a warrior, an interpreter, and most unusually a Christian Indian. He was an interpreter to George Washington at Fort Necessity, and to General Braddock during the French and Indian War. He was killed by a Seneca in 1772.

Fireside Chat goers were in for a treat last Saturday night as they learned about medicine on the Kentucky Frontier. Albert Roberts of Tennessee talked about the tools and knowledge available to a doctor in the 18th century before present day knowledge of germs and infection even existed. He is pictured above with volunteers from the audience demonstrating the removal of a lead ball from a gunshot wound. Click here for story, photos and newsreel!

Story, Photos and Newsreel now loaded!

Daniel Boone Starts off the February Fireside Chats at Fort Boonesborough

Mad Anne Bailey Receives Rave Reviews and
a Standing Ovation at Fireside Chat

Long time historical interpreter Scot New presented his Kentucky Chautauqua performance of Daniel Boone - Pathfinder at th February 7th Fireside Chat at Fort Boonesborough State Park. The Fireside Chats are a four week series of first person performances each Saturday night in February. Click here for more...

The Chats are presented by The Fort Boonesborough Foundation and admission includes both the performance and “A Taste of Frontier Fare” dinner.

 It was one of the largest audiences ever according to Foundation Board member Elizabeth Chalfant. “We could not have been more pleased with the crowd and the performance,” said Chalfant.

Photos, Story and Newsreels of Saturday nights performance Click Here!

January 2011

Frazier Historical Ball

Dancers from all eras, took to the dance floor on Saturday night, January 29th at the 2011 Frazier Historical Ball. Newsreel clips and photos now loaded!

Film Premiers on KET Tuesday May 25th 8 PM

Narrated by film star Ashley Judd and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Wagner, “Kentucky—An American Story” is a provocative and entertaining documentary about the revealing connections between Kentucky’s and the nation’s past. The film written by Daniel Blake Smith premieres on Kentucky Educational Television on May 24 at 8:00 pm eastern.

One portion of the film was filmed at Fort Boonesborough and includes several staff members and re-enactors that regularly appear at the fort. The film can also be seen in Ohio on Time Warner Cable Channel 981. Click here to see our original story on the filming.

A Frontier Christmas at Fort Boonesborough

Fort Boonesborough’s Second Annual Christmas on the Frontier was a huge success for the Fort and The Fort Boonesborough Foundation who sponsored the event. Cabins were open and hosted by re-enactors with information on Christmas traditions from various countries around the world. There was dancing in the blockhouse and Christmas baked goods for visitors to sample. Photos and video now loaded!

Additional Video on Christmas Customs now loaded!

A Victorian Christmas at White Hall

White Hall, the historic home of Cassius Clay near Richmond, Kentucky was decorated for a Victorian Christmas. Visitors could tour the house the past two weekends and learn how the Victorian era ushered in many of the traditions we still hold today. Photos and video now loaded!