Blog break – go to the Network instead!

Hi all.  So, as the semester’s started back up my time for blogging is significantly reduced, and I regret that this site will phase out as I take on other responsibilities (school and work).  However – YOU can blog, start discussions, whatever, over at the Star-Spangled Banner Trail Network (www.star-spangledbannertrail.ning.com).  Keep up with events there, view and post pictures, find others with your interests, etc.   Or, check out one of the great blogs or websites linked here (on the right). 

 Thanks for checking out my posts, and helping make this a really interesting, informative experience.  See you at the next Trail or Bicentennial event!

Star-Spangled Banner and the Chesapeake Survey

Who doesn’t like to share their opinions??  C’mon – take this survey!

Click on the link below to take a 10 minute-or-less survey about your experience with parks, museums, etc. in the Chesapeake Bay area and/or which have to do with the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and the War of 1812.  You will greatly help out me – a graduate student doing research on these issues, and planners gearing up for the Bicentennial and beyond.

Thanks!  Here’s the link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=M4uESGn62cJJieSTEFL_2b3g_3d_3d

Events this weekend

There are a couple of really great events going on this weekend! 

• 1814 British Invasion of Prince George’s County Bus and Boat Tour!  This Saturday, September 05, 8am-5pm starting at Darnall’s Chance Museum in Upper Marlboro.  War of 1812 scholar Dr. Ralph Eshelman will be the ride-along guide as guests travel via bus and boat along the routes the British Army marched through the County in August 1814.  $65/person.  Call 301-952-8010
• Defenders Day at Fort Howard – The Battle of North Point! Join the Defenders for a reenactment of the September 12, 1814 Battle of North Point.  Historical displays, children’s games, period crafts, military demonstrations, reenactments – and me!! (I’ll be at a National Park Service/Star-Spangled Banner NHT booth from 12-5 :)  Come visit!!)  10-5PM in Fort Howard at the end of North Point Rd.  Call 410-284-2331 for details.

I’ll try to get some pictures up after the weekend; leave a few of yours on the Flickr page!

Dolley Madison’s Layer Cake with Caramel Icing

As I’ve mentioned, this past week was Dolley at Dumbarton Week – culminating in today’s Dolley Day, where Mrs. Madison herself attended to guests.  I had occasion to go to Dumbarton earlier this week, and finally uploaded a few pictures.  So, here are a couple of those (more on Flickr).

However, as the title of this blog implies, there is something much more important I need to tell you about.

No – not about how Dolley Madison set off from the White House by carriage with official papers, a painting and more for the Dumbarton House (then Belle Vue) as the British fast approached Washington DC in August 1814; no – not how Mrs. Madison took refuge in Belle Vue as she waited for news from President James Madison.  What I have to tell you about is Dolley Madison’s layer cake.  It’s amazing.  The Dumbarton House offered this cake during the week’s tours, and I was lucky enough to get some.  Dolley Madison had a mean recipe – the cake is a perfect medium texture, is rich but not overwhelmingly so, and the frosting tastes exactly like penuche fudge (which is my favorite).  It’s definitely on the sweet side, but a happy indulgence.  Get an extra workout in the day you eat it.

Anyway, so Dolley Madison wasn’t just a dynamic socialite or unofficial advisor to her president-husband.  Mrs. Madison had good cake around.  The Dumbarton House was kind enough to give me the recipe, and I’ll share it here (taken from A Treasury of White House Cooking by Francois Rysavy).

Layer Cake:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 8 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Cream the butter and sugar.  Add milk and vanilla.  Sift flour, stir in cornstarch, and combine the dry ingredients with the liquid mixture.  Now gently fold in the egg whites, and pour into greased cake tins.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until done.

Caramel Icing

• 3 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Heat sugar, cream and butter in a double boiler for about 15 to 20 minutes.  Add the vanilla, cool, decorate the cake!

And an added bonus recipe: Nut Cake

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
• 4 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Cream the butter and sugar.  Add the milk and vanilla.  Sift together the flour and baking powder, and combine the two mixtures.  Add the nuts, and fold in the egg whites gently.  Bake in a loaf pan for 50 minutes at 350.

Now, to be fair,  I’m not sure whether this is Dolley Madison’s own recipe, or one from her White House for which she gets credit (it’s delicious either way).  I think of this because of the recent discourse about the Madisons’ slaves.  If you haven’t heard about this yet, check out the stories out there about Paul Jennings, an enslaved African American under the Madisons, whose journal recounts famous 19th-century events.  Here’s a NY Times article about him, and his descendants: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/us/16jennings.html  and a story on NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/08/descendants_of_the_slave_who_s.html  Perhaps read them with a cup of coffee and a nice slice of cake.

Chesapeake Campaign Commemorations Continue

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Hancock’s Resolution for one of the many great reenactments going on around the Chesapeake these days.  Hancock’s Resolution’s original brick buildings date back to 1795 and, I’m told, are typical of Chesapeake Bay architecture at that time.  I don’t actually know that much about Chesapeake Bay architecture, but the mortar is really interesting – little bits of stone mixed or placed in – like chocolate chips around an ice cream sandwich (I’m on a diet; I think in food now ).  Anyway, you should go check it out sometime, there are a few really interesting buildings, and a great old cemetery. 

Kim Nielson, director of the US Navy Museum, was on hand at the reenactment to talk about the Schooner Lion  - which was captured by the British and burned in August, 1814.   Kim is the director of the U.S. Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yards in Washington, DC.  They had their own event this week – Privateers or Pirates? - which featured, as did the reenactment at Hancock’s Resolution, the amazing Ship’s Company.  These living history guys (and gals!) are amazingly enthusiastic, and a wealth of information.  If you missed the Privateers or Pirates event – including your own letter of marque from James Madison, free ice cream (woohoo!), a talk with the USS Constitution’s surgeon, etc. you can at least go visit the museum, online or in person at the Navy Yards.  They have a replica cut-out of the the Constitution, all sorts of artifacts, and a really great staff.  Parking’s a little confusing, but it’s worth checking out (and I think you can park on the grounds on the weekend) - it’s really close to the Navy Yard metro, and the Circulator goes right by.

Anyway, at Hancock’s Resolution, the Ship’s Company did a cannon demonstration, and led the crowd through what was going on.  I’ve seen a few of these demonstrations at this point and I’m pretty confidant I could hold my own against the British   Although, I admit, I would flinch like crazy before lighting the thing.  I can’t get over how loud the cannon fire is!  Here are a few people trying to protect themselves from the sound:

The idea is to shield your ears from the noise, but keep them open (not plugged), and open your mouth, to allow pressure to equalize.  Of course I was too busy taking pictures, so I think I screamed and jumped or something the first time the cannon was fired.  I’m not a good person to have around in emergency situations!

Now, if you missed the cannon, rifle demonstrations, historic home tours, ship history, etc. you can always still go to Hancock’s Resolution for a tour or one of their other events.  You can also check out upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial events in the Chesapeake Bay area, such as these:

• The War of 1812 in Alexandria: A Town Occupied at the Carlyle House, August 29-30, 10AM – 4PM.   The Carlyle House will recreate the occupation of Alexandria by His Royal Majesty’s naval forces. Historic interpreters attired as British Tars, Royal Marines, and Alexandria civilians will be on site to answer visitors questions.  Call 703-549-2997 for more information.
• Free Trade and Sailor’s Rights at the Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, VA.  August 29-30, 10AM – 4PM featuring weapons and artillery demonstrations and living history activities!
• Dolley at Dumbarton Day at the Dumbarton House in Washington, DC.  August 29, 10AM – 2PM.  This event will include a visit from “Dolley Madison” herself, in addition to the regularly-scheduled tours. Madison will teach visitors about the games of the Federal era, rules of etiquette, and dancing techniques. Younger visitors will also have the opportunity to dress up like both James and Dolley Madison.  Call 202-337-2288 for more information.
• Also mark your calendars for upcoming events at North Point on September 6, Fort McHenry on September 11-12, and Jefferson Patterson Park on September 19!

More pictures available at our flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/star-spangledbannernationalhistorictrail/

Burning of Washington Bike Tour in DC Sat. 8/22; Reenactment 8/22 and 8/23

I’m embarrassed to say I missed this one until this afternoon!  Here’s another event for this weekend, from the National Mall’s site:

“August 24, 1814 After their victory at Bladensburg, the British continued their march south along Maryland Avenue and into the heart of the Federal City.  The British set fire to the Capitol Building then proceeded up Pennsylvania Avenue to the President’s House where a similar fate awaited the home of the Madisons.

Join National Park Service Rangers as they lead a special four-hour bike tour that follows the path of destruction from Capitol Hill, along Pennsylvania Avenue, to the President’s House, and culminates at the Octagon House.  Rangers will tie together the multiple aspects of the Chesapeake Campaign, the Burning of Washington, and the Treaty of Ghent by utilizing Washington, DC landmarks, monuments, personalities, and historic structures.

This special four-hour bike tour is free of charge but reservations are required.  The tour will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Plaza (at the base of the memorial steps).  All riders must wear a helmet.”  Email jason_martz@nps.gov for more information.

This, of course, is in addition to the reenactment this weekend at Hancock’s Resolution!  The annual War of 1812 event is held Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday 10-4.  Ships Company will be there singing, cannons will be fired, all that good stuff.  Before your bike ride, or Sunday, go check it out!  Call 410-255-4048 for more information.

Privateers or Pirates? New event at the US Navy Museum

The director of the US Navy Museum just sent me their press release for this event and I wanted to pass it along – seems fun!  I’ll likely hang aghrrr-ound (sorry ) the festivities a bit myself; see you there!

PIRATES OR PRIVATEERS: BATTLE ON THE HIGH SEAS, 1812

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 AT THE U.S. NAVY MUSEUM

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

 The U. S. Navy Museum announces a new swashbuckling program filled with pirates, privateers, songs and sea battles!  Children and adults are invited to spend the day discovering what it was like to battle on the high seas during the War of 1812! Speakers, interpreters and activities will be coming aboard on August 26, 2009 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the U.S. Navy Museum.

 Join the U.S. Navy Museum and discover the history of the War of 1812. Children will become Privateers and take home their own Letters of Marque!  Living history organization, Ships Company will delight the crowd with Sea Chanteys and recreations of gun crew firing drills. Families can discover how sailors lived aboard wooden warships and what ship board surgery was like with clips from the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and “live” demonstrations. Visitors are invited to chat with Dolley Madison and join Senior Historian Dr Michael Crawford as he shares the history behind pirates, privateers and the outbreak of the War of 1812.

To attend the celebration, please enter the Washington Navy Yard at the 6^th and M Street Gate.  Public parking is not available on the Yard. For more information, call 202- 433-6826.  The U.S. Navy Museum is the U.S. Navy’s flagship museum located on the historic Washington Navy Yard.  Learn more about the schedule of events for War of 1812 Day at the U.S. Navy Museum on the Naval History and Heritage Command’s homepage: www.history.navy.mil.

1812-Day Flyer

1812-Day Flyer

Schedule of Events:

All attendees will receive a copy of an official “Letter of Marque” signed by President James Madison.

10:00-10:30    Chanteymen – Enjoy Ships Company singing period Sea Chanteys

10:30-11:00    Navy Medicine – Ship’s Surgeon Charles Quisenberry will engage visitors with a first-person account of medical practices at sea in 1814.

11:00-11:30    Gun Demo – Ships Company will recreate a gun crew firing drill on the Museum’s CONSTITUTION gun deck

11:30-12:00    Sailor’s Sea Chest – Richard Conlan, who spent six months as a gunner’s mate aboard the 1812 Privateer LYNX, will interpret the contents of the Navy Museum’s 1812 Sea Chest.

12:00-12:30    Keynote Speaker – NHHC Senior Historian Dr. Michael Crawford will present a lecture that uncovers the answer to the question: Pirate? or Privateer?

12:30-1:00    Gun Demo – Ships Company will recreate a gun crew firing drill on the Museum’s CONSTITUTION gun deck

1:00-1:30    Dolley Madison – Hear the First Lady’s account of the invasion of the Nation’s Capital by the British in 1814

1:30-2:00    Chanteymen – Enjoy Ships Company singing period Sea Chanteys

Bladensburg Encampment at Riversdale

1812 American Reenactors at Riversdale

Hi all!  This past Saturday I found myself surrounded by British and American troops at the Riversdale House and Museum in Riverdale Park, MD.  There were riflemen, Royal Scots, cooks working over an open hearth, famous historic figures roaming about (such as Rosalie Stier Calvert giving garden tours), etc. 

1812 Cannon at Riversdale

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  Sometimes really intense reenactors intimidate me, if they won’t break from period speak, for example.  I’m both fascinated and made nervous by people who are so passionate about presenting “living history”.  All the troops and other 19th-century folk I met were completely approachable, however, and really knowledgeable.  The level of detail into which they get making their costumes, using their weapons, etc. is amazing. 

1812 American Reenactors

What a wealth of information these people were!   But then, it’s one thing to hear about this history – it’s another to hear cannon and gunfire, eat ice cream with berries, and walk through an historic garden – and talk to visitors about it all (I did a few interviews while there).

Visiting the Brit.s

It was a great experience, and I recommend checking out one of the upcoming reenactments in the area.  There’s one this weekend at Hancock’s Resolution (8/22 and 8/23), one in Alexandria next weekend (8/28 and 8/29), North Point 9/6, Fort McHenry 9/11 and 9/12, Jefferson Patterson Park 9/19… .  I’ll try to keep up here, but check in w/the events page on the Trail Network: www.star-spangledbannertrail.ning.com

And for now, s’more pictures!

American Troops Firing

Reenactor Couple Dancing

Ships Company

Visiting the Brit.s

An American Rifleman

Ms. Stier Calvert giving a tour

American Troops, 1814

1812 American Reenactors at Riversdale

Riversdale

Hoop Girl

Star-Spangled Anniversary

I get google alerts that scour the web for me, and I get emails when information is posted with the words “Star-Spangled Banner”, among other things (I like to think little helpers are terribly concerned with my interests ).  I try to see if anyone’s talking about the Trail this way, see what 1812-related events are going on in the Chesapeake, etc.  Then I post that stuff to Twitter, and sometimes here.  In any event, for the last few weeks every other Star-Spangled Banner email has been related to Jimi Hendrix.  It’s coming up on the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, of course!

Thinking everyone and their mother is posting something about Jimi Hendrix’s version of the national anthem at Woodstock, I figured I’d sit that one out.  Then, despite having heard this classic rendition many times, I watched a video of the performance on youtube just now, for the heck of it.  I literally got chills.  I’m a pretty sentimental person, so this isn’t super difficult, but still – it’s an amazing performance that breathed a powerful life in that melody.  It’s worth watching and listening to again if you haven’t in a while:

Do you have a favorite version of the Star-Spangled Banner?  Vote here, or write your own favorite in the comments!

Public History, Living History

There are all sorts of events coming up in the Chesapeake Bay area to commemorate area history.  Much of it has to do with this time of year being incredibly important in War of 1812 history in the MD/VA/DC area.  A passage on Christopher T. George’s Terror on the Chesapeake: The War of 1812 on the Bay probably sums the military aspect up best, if a little smugly:

“For nearly two years during the War of 1812, the British treated the Chesapeake Bay as their private lake.  But in 1814, as attention moved from the northern frontier to the mid-Atlantic region, the Americans fought back and drove the invaders from the bay.  …[British Rear Admiral] Cockburn’s burning and pillaging of bay communities preceded the burning of our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., on August 24-25, 1814, by [British] Major General Robert Ross.  Cockburn persuaded Ross that the Americans could not stand up to Lord Wellington’s Peninsular War veterans.  But he miscalculated when it came to attacking Baltimore, where citizen soldiers, strongly led by Revolutionary War veterans Generals Samual Smith and John Stricker, and backed by U.S. Navy regulars, held the British at bay, killing Ross and reclaiming American pride”.

Okay, maybe smugly and also a little one-sided and loaded with shmaltz.  The point is, the Chesapeake Campaign was arguably the turning point in the War of 1812, and there are great artifacts, markers, earthworks, correspondence, etc. to testify to that.  The summer and fall of 1814 were incredibly important for the new America and for the people of the greater DC/Baltimore area,  and people around here are really excited to celebrate that period as well as what’s become of the area since then.  Here are a few events going on this week and weekend to that effect (please check with the event location or organizers to make sure it’s still on!):

• Bladensburg Public History Workshop: Wed., August 12, 7-8:30PM at the George Washington House/Indian Queen Tavern 4302 Baltimore Ave.,  Bladensburg, MD 20710.  Historian Susan Pearl talks about transportation and change in Bladensburg, Mike Roller of the SHA and UMD talks about the Bladensburg Archaeology Project, and historians and community members get a chance to meet one another and talk about their events!  RSVP to the Anacostia Watershed Society at info@anacostiaws.org.
• After the Digging is Done: Archaeological Discoveries in the Laboratory: Thursday, August 13, 7PM.  A discussion on what archaeologists do with artifacts after the excavations, the research that goes into learning about material culture, and what these exciting finds tell us about the past.  While there, see if you can check out the War of 1812 cannon from Havre de Grace!  With Silas D. Hurry, of Historic St. Mary’s City, at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum on a War of 1812 site – St. Leonard, MD. 
• Talk on General Ross at North Point State Park: Saturday, August 15, 10AM.  Dr. John McCavitt, from Rostrevor, Northern Ireland, home village of British Major General Robert Ross, not actively researching the life of General Ross for a biography of the general, in cooperation with Christopher T. George, author of Terror on the Chesapeake: The War of 1812 on the Bay, will speak on the topic of the general killed at North Point during the attack on Baltimore, September 12, 1814, at the vivistors’ center, North Point State Park in Kingsville, MD.
• 14th Annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment at the Riversdale House and Museum: Saturday, August 15, Noon. Join British and American War of 1812 troops as they camp on the lawn to prepare for the battle. The Riversdale Kitchen Guild will sell period-inspired refreshments. FREE; Regular fee for house tours.  Call (301) 864-0420 for more information.