Living History

Elizabeth as Polly Wanton

This week Alena interviewed Elizabeth Sulock, Marketer and Historical Interpreter at the Newport Historical Society. They talked about:
• Elizabeth’s start in living history
• Working for the Newport Historical Society
• portraying historical personage, Polly Wanton
• sewing and costuming
• Interpreting pregnancy
• Polly on Facebook
Also included this week is a review of the book: I Believe in Yesterday.

Musical Interlude: Over the Hills and Far Away performed by 3 Pints Gone

Download: Interview with Elizabeth Sulock

Thanks to all of you out there listening to the Living History Podcast and giving us feedback! In this week’s episode, number 31, we address some of the questions and comments we’ve received since we started the podcast including:

• What has been most surprising about doing the podcast?
• Providing more details as a part of our podcasts
• There is no such thing as a stupid tourist question
• Great tips for event survival
• Some unique living history terminology
• Is the human race loosing valuable skills to the detriment of us all?
• School Event restrictions
• Reenacting military life as a family, specifically gender disparities in more modern military reenactments
• How does the Renaissance Faire relate to Living History?
• What is our list of small items we still want (including an update on our chamber pot situation)
• Reenacting in order to show respect for those who lived in the time we are representing.

Musical Interlude: Jamie Raeburn’s Farewell by Tourdion

Download: Listener Feedback
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Rachel in the offices of Skirmish Magazine

Stephen had a chance this week to speak via Skype with Rachel Evans of Skirmish Magazine from her office in the UK. Despite some occasional sound issues, they worked through it all to discuss, amongst other things:
- How Rachel got involved in Living History
- Skirmish Magazine – producing a publication for all areas of the LH community
- Public versus Private events
- Battlefield preservation
- Other magazines with a historical focus that Rachel edits
This episode is a little longer, but we felt worth presenting straight through.

Musical Interlude – Solveig performed by Saor Patrol,  off the CD: Skirmish Presents All in Tune with History

Download: Interview with Rachel Evans

Rachel looking all Historical

This week is a nice long episode on cookfires. We were asked for more detail on the making and keeping of fires for cooking so we’ll tell you about:
• fire starting, and building a bed of coals
• Equipment including wood types, bases, tools and more
• keeping a fire going, and putting that fire out
Musical Interlude: Buttercup’s Air by Night Heron Consort

Download:Cookfires
Listen here  

So many Living History enterprises happen in front of the public. In this episode we’ll let you in on our methods to make your encounters more fun and engaging. We’ll cover tips and tricks like:

• confronting strangers
• Rehearsing what it is you are going to say
• Using improvisation
• using endowments to draw them into the story
• Keeping it positive – Not negating
• playing off other members of your group/team.

Musical Interlude: Southern Girl’s Reply performed by Jeff Warner

Download: Public Interactions
Listen here