Civilian Planning Meeting—Agenda/Minutes
12th VA Infantry Regiment
January 31, 2015
Revision/Minutes: February 15, 2015
1. Dance Practice sent out separately.
2. Events listed below include information on
a. events consistent with Co. B vote taken February 12, 2015 (company events)
b. events that are strictly civilian
c. events that can be individual events for anyone interested
3. These are long, but please read thoroughly. There are a couple of events which need ASAP
attention.
May 9—Civil War Food Fest at Meadow Farm. Company event. For those not cooking, i.e. not at
competition stations, Henrico is asking for help with
Coffee boiling and grinding
Ice Cream Churning
Butter Churning
Shrub (aka fruit vinegar)/Switchel (period drink, like gatorade)
Hardtack
Hearth Cooking
Animals small and large(breeds past & present, what parts of the animals they used – not just
food)
House Tours
Cider Press
Kitchen Gardens
New station ideas we may need help on as well:
Molasses taffy pulling
19th century chocolate
Rock candy
Fruit leather
Teas
Period tableware/cookwear
Period honey/beekeeping
Lisa Denton added these thoughts:
However, I would really love to have more demonstrations and displays that are in some way connected
to the theme of the event. This theme can be very broad when you include the related material culture
and topics. I’m thinking of ideas for display/demo such as period tableware (i.e. transferware), cooking
utensils, life of a farm wife, period herbs (ie. the many variety of ways you can use herbs…not just for
cooking, but for medicine, potpourri, etc.).
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Civilian Planning Meeting—Agenda/Minutes
12th VA Infantry Regiment
January 31, 2015
Revision/Minutes: February 15, 2015
My goal is to try to encourage civilians to think of how food, agriculture and its related material culture
impacted society then and now and thus spur some folks to put together an interpretation – can be 1st
or 3rd person – or exhibit connected to these topics. I hope that makes sense.
Part of my inspiration for our War Between the Tastes event is “borrowed” from an event up in IL they
do annual, I think. I’ve scanned the article for you in case you don’t have it. Though I don’t wish to copy
their event, I think some ideas will fit well into ours, especially as we hope to expand upon the Food fest
each year. A pdf copy of the article referenced is attached.
What I need: Who is interested, and what part of this program do you want to initiate or help
someone else do? The sooner the better.
May 16—Chesterfield County Confederate History and Heritage Day at the old courthouse/jail area.
New format this year. The next planning meeting is Feb. 21. I will know more then. It is important to
me to get these minutes distributed and then to fill in this blank, later.
Unknown date: Kittiewan. Event planners meeting soon. Desire is to repeat the event; but to do so
and possible dates TBD. Again, this was not on any list for voting. It is important to me to get these
minutes distributed and then to fill in this blank, later.
July 18—UFO (unfinished objects) Day. All day, ops center, Petersburg National Battlefield. Bring any
sewing projects you want to finish; need help with, etc. Details regarding time and food forthcoming
closer to the date.
July 25—Battle of the Crater. Company Event. The women voted NOT to plan a formal program at the
Crater for 2015 prior to this becoming a company event. Grant Gates has been advised of our decision.
The decision does not preclude attendance as a spectator.
Aug 21—Debunking Myths—Walkerton. This was not voted in as an event by both military and civilian
groups. However, I am including a description as provided by Henrico’s Sam McKelvey for anyone
interested on an individual basis. Please contact Sam McKelvey directly if you are interested.
Mck32@henrico.us
This program is a play on myth busters. We are looking at some of the more common
assumptions about the past that you hear all the time on historic tours. These include “people
were shorter back then”, “they taxed based off the number of windows in your house”,
“Kitchens were built away from the house only because of the chance of a fire”. This is a first
person theatrical performance. Please look at the scenarios below and let me know if you are
interested!
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Civilian Planning Meeting—Agenda/Minutes
12th VA Infantry Regiment
January 31, 2015
Revision/Minutes: February 15, 2015
MYTH # 53: Kitchens were separated from the main house in colonial days because of fear
of fire.
-Possibly includes discussion on neighbor’s house burning down because of an interior
fire. Kitchens only lasted on average “two years”.
-Needing two volunteers to play lady of the house and kitchen manager.
Myth # 75: Builders of early American houses built few windows to avoid paying the
window tax.
-Argument over number of windows added to the house between house owner and tax
collector.
-Needing two volunteers (preferably 2 men)
Myth #41: Stairs were sometimes built with one riser noticeably shorter than the rest, to trip
up burglars.
-Scene includes normal daily life at the house when a burglar sneaks in while the action leaves
the scene. Burglar “trips” over step at front entrance of Walkerton. Burglar is “subdued”
because of this wonderful invention put into the house to catch thieves.
-four volunteers to play family and a burglar
Myth #27: Tables with mirrors underneath were called “petticoat mirrors” because their
purpose was to allow women to make sure their petticoat wasn’t showing.
-two ladies getting ready for social engagement. Using the table to catch an embarrassing
exposure of her petticoat.
-two female volunteers
Myth # 79: Wine was an expensive luxury, so most people drank cider or beer.
-Upper class gentleman arrives at the tavern to order….wine. Discussion over the cost of drinks
occurs. How most establishments serve cider as the common beverage.
-Need of three volunteers. Tavern Keeper, one upper class gentleman, and possibly a
middle/lower classman.
Myth #8: Beds were shorter back then because people were shorter.
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Civilian Planning Meeting—Agenda/Minutes
12th VA Infantry Regiment
January 31, 2015
Revision/Minutes: February 15, 2015
-As guests arrive at a tavern, unusually tall man tries to get comfortable in the normal size
(smaller bed) of period. Discussion between owner and large man reveals that he is freakishly
tall for the average size person of his day!
-two volunteers: one tavern owner and one tall customer.
Sept 12, Lantern Tour. This is on our radar, but not likely to be an event on Henrico County’s listing.
Sept 26—Varina History Village—Dorey Park Company Event. Again, I am including a description by
Sam McKelvey. I am sure more information will be forthcoming as they continue planning. This
program is planned to coincide with the ribbon cutting of the capital bike trail in eastern Henrico. This
large scale event has the possibility of being Henrico County’s signature event in the future. A total
history village that aims to re-create the entirety of Henrico’s 400 year history is wanted. We were
hoping that your group might be able to participate. The event will held along a spur of the bike trail in
Dorey Park. The trail itself will be molded into a glorified timeline with living history representing
different eras of Henrico History along the path. We are requesting that the 12th (B and C)represent
the Confederate component of this event. A stage will area will again be used with the hope that the
dance group could also be involved in the same way as it was at the New Market Heights
Reenactment from last year.
October 17-18—Violet Bank, Colonial Heights, Civilians. NOTE DATE IS CHANGING-LIKELY TO BE
OCTOBER 10-11. “This year will be the 200 anniversary of the house and we are taking a different
direction. October 17 & 18, 2015 will be the dates. We are not looking to have a repeat of Headquarters
Days. We will have very little "military" A few maybe. We are looking at civilian life from 1778 to modern
times. Programming still under development. Would love to have the women of the 12th participate.”
Participation by the ladies suggested at the planning meeting included a Colonial Woman (Marcia); 1 st
Ladies presentation as developed by Liz; period dance. These ideas were presented during telephone
calls with event planners.
WHAT I NEED ASAP:
1. Marcia a description of what you would offer based on what they are attempting to portray—they
need to decide about including your offer.
2. Liz—1st ladies presentation very high on the list, but need a good description of what is to be
included, confirmation on length of program, etc.
3. Vanna—dance. They are planning a series of 1 hour events/educational programs building up to
the full weekend’s event. The dance concept (taking one dance that was common to the full time
span being covered and demonstrating the variations that occurred over time) is one they would
like to offer during the pre-weekend series—a date to be determined.
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Civilian Planning Meeting—Agenda/Minutes
12th VA Infantry Regiment
January 31, 2015
Revision/Minutes: February 15, 2015
Other business:
The following goals were not met/completed in 2014 and are ongoing for 2015:
1. Define Virginia Homespun Dance Ensemble and its official relationship to the 12th VA. The
following people were selected to serve on a committee: Mike Duffey, Lori Haden, Missy
Polonsky.
2. Education packet/authenticity guidelines applicable to military, male and female civilians. Not
completed. Liz, Civilian Coordinator, Co. C, and I have determined a change in its presentation /
suggested use, but have not completed revisions to the document to support the change in
direction.
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