Walking into the Living History of the 1770s....

All of my siblings were heavily involved in a Living History Day with Vision Heirs here in Colorado. They worked hard making period outfits and learning skills to teach others in a real fashion on the day itself. It was pretty amazing. First a drama is played out in the gym, then all the people (a total of 1300 came through in one day to experience 1776 in all its glory) went to stations to make journals, rag dolls, help roast the chicken--you name it! Quite an experience. I am planning on doing it this Fall myself :) I have been drawn in, I confess... *laugh*

Many thanks to Sarah Morgan and Patricia Cochran (and myself *laugh*) for these wonderful pictures!!

Here are the adorable 1770's Cochrans themselves.
An ATTEMPT at a serious picture. None of the girls look serious--a little tired maybe...
I had to work part-time that day so was not dressed in period garb at all (not wishing to shock my co-workers *cough*).
Yes, I'm the oddly dressed one here!
Smiles ladies!
The drama was first. Here are all the people who are to be in the drama. I love how that random guy on the right is totally smiling. So cute!

Some "British officers" came and did some amazing piping before the drama. See below for a video of it. Here they are exiting the stage.

The next series of pictures dwell chiefly on the drama. My friend Melissa and a friend of hers wrote this amazing story focusing on WHY the Americans rebelling against King George was actually BIBLICAL. Using Scripture and everything. Truly amazing! Great plot.
Here, an American woman is being turned out of her home along with her children, and is making an appeal to the kinder British officer, Captain Anderson, who is a Christian. He listens kindly but can do nothing against...
Captain RATclyffe! He is the ultimate bad guy--sneering, loud, obnoxious, and not a grain of chivalry to ladies. It must be the wig *wink*
Here Anderson (right) argues mildly with Radclyffe that putting Americans out of their homes may not be the kindest thing to do. A waste of his time.
Mary, Patricia, Robert, and Elizabeth were all extras up on the stage--standing and talking quietly as the main story went on in front. Very cute extras, eh? :)
A scene in the play where Anderson warns his subordinate that two scheming women are coming his way, but warning him too late :)
The poor man is dragged home to "tea" with them.
Captain Anderson befriends a little boy named Bobby.
The cute extras :)
Later, Anderson has a long talk with Bobby's father, Mr Quincy, about a pamphlet Mr Quincy wrote evidencing that God is on the side of the Colonists and not on the side of the British, from a Biblical perspective. Very good!
*Credit to Sarah Morgan* We then skip ahead some in the pictures to where Anderson has defied Radclyffe's orders "in front of his men" about hanging Mr Quincy for writing the "treasonous pamphlet." Anderson, being an open-minded man and a Christian who believes in the Bible, has literally changed sides in his mind, and it only remains for him to change sides physically, which is not far away. Here, an enraged Captain Radclyffe challenges Anderson to a duel, demanding "satisfaction."
*Credit to Sarah Morgan* Here, the two smirking bad guys of course taunt their opponent before the duel.

*Credit to Sarah Morgan* Anderson giving Radclyffe one more chance to call the duel off (which of course, is refused).
*Credit to Sarah Morgan* Guess who wins the duel? Right--the good guy, Captain Anderson! Captain Radclyffe is of course shot. A very good drama all in all! Enjoyed it very much and the two main characters were quite good actors indeed.

The next series of pictures are of a battle on the green between the Redcoats and the Continental Army!
His Excellency, General George Washington, addresses us, the anxious spectators.
While Robert talks in a charming British accent to several little boys who were quite enthralled with him! See the other video below for some actual talking :) Something you need to know before watching the video is that Robert was "killed" in the battle as a Tory traitor. :)

Getting ready for the epic battle...
*Credit to Sarah Morgan* Captain Anderson, now on the opposing side, prepares to lead the Continentals against his one-time country of England.
*Credit to Sarah Morgan* The British, as usual, look pretty confident of winning.
British line.
Continental line.


"CHAAARRGGEEEE"!!!



The spectators look on and smile.
The British are of course defeated. This is Living History after all!!
George Washington addressing the crowd again.
Robert helping little boys make leather journals.

He's so good with little kids :)
Patricia helped with something else... I love that dad in the background reading about looms! Enlarge the picture by clicking on it to see what I mean!! *laugh*
Looking a little fatigued but besides that, beautiful as always :)
Elizabeth helped outside with rag dolls.
Too bad it was so cold she had to wear her warm cape the whole time! Her dress was so amazingly cute :)
And Mary was a helpful camp follower, who raked leaves that weren't really there *laugh*
A lovely healthy-looking turkey.
Miss Mary.
Holly roasting some chickens.
The whole crowd of actors!! You go, guys!!!

And then enjoy these two movies which correspond to the pictures you just viewed.



I am off to Florida for the next month this Tuesday so this may be the last post you see for a while yet. God bless!