Originally, the only reason I made everyone get into the car and drive over 30 minutes to see the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, was to get another stamp for my NPS passport book. However, this little place, nestled right outside the heavily armored gates to the CIA, turned out to be a perfect short walk and even better kid outing.
The farm is a historically accurate, working farm from the year 1771. So accurate, that the goose and turkey cages are a PETA attack just waiting to happen.
7-31-13 - Geese
Turkeys
The farm has a beautiful, short path past a tobacco house and field, pigs, and chickens, all leading to the farmhouse where actors sit and answer questions about what life was like in 1771. The whole farm doesn't take long to see and the walk through the forest is scenic and fun. It is also interesting to compare the farm to those of today. This farm was mostly forested with small areas carved out for various plants and animals, unlike field after field of corn with little tree coverage left.
Tobacco House
Baby Pig
Living History
Free-Range Chickens
Inside the Main House
Alison spent a lot of time trying to capture this rooster.
Main House
If we're ever in the area, we'd go back since Alison really enjoyed seeing the animals up close.
There's nothing more fun to do while visiting a historic site than to imagine what it was like back in its heyday. Over Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Larned National Historic Site, you don't have to imagine very hard, as over 70 reenactment volunteers truck in from Texas, Colorado, and all over Kansas to bring the place to life.
Fort Larned's Giant Flag
Although the Fort's use expands well beyond the civil war era, the 1860's is what we went back to over Memorial Day. All of the park employees partake by dressing up in period gear (which means wool - yes, even in summer - infantry uniforms for the guys and billowing dresses for the girls) and assuming a character.
Chaz, Nathan, and Mike as Soldiers
All of the buildings are open with someone in period dress to talk to you about what went on there back in the day, but my favorite two special events took place outside. First, it's important to point out that Nathan has a pretty cool job, because he got to do this:
There were also other rifle demonstrations throughout the day.
Rifle Demonstration
Second, a hobby vintage baseball team rolled into town to play the soldiers (park employees) in 1860's-style baseball, complete with a leather ball, no gloves, and old rules like if you catch a fly ball after the first bounce, the batter is out. I found it pretty interesting to learn some of the jargon and facts from the day. For instance, most of the reenacters are, by definition, civil war nerds, which makes for some pretty useless baseball players. In vintage baseball, a person who tries really hard, but still stinks is called a muffin. Spectators would sit really close to the game with no fences for protection. If a ball happened to roll under a woman's skirt, depending on which team she was rooting for, she may or may not choose to lift her skirt and make it easy for the players to find the ball.
Nathan Catching - One of the only experienced baseball players out there
I had a pretty good time at the event and am looking forward to more living history for July 4th weekend (more reenactments including potato sack races) and Labor Day weekend (if I'm not actually in labor).
My name is Amber and I live near Washington, DC with my husband who is a Park Ranger on the National Mall and two daughters. This blog is all about exploring where we're at, wherever that happens to be. When you're married to a Park Ranger, that changes often. My views here are my own and do not reflect the opinions of any employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I am affiliated.
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