Kathy Cummings (right) kicked off the morning with a special dedication of the weekend to the late Colleen “Hester” Gilbert who attended the 2008 Women on the Frontier. She then introduced Kristi Heasley (left) who used documents from her own ancestors inventories to help her “decide” what to bring to Kentucky. Kristi then presented her findings in an excellent first person presentation entitled “A Woman Comes to Kentucky.” 

Presentations then moved to the half face shelter behind the fort where Berni New (with the aid of husband Scott) talked about life in the colonies. Berni touched on the civility and gentility of our 18th century counterparts - in such things such as how the various classes addressed each other with bows and curtseys. And on the more serious side women’s rights under colonial law - the rights of married women as opposed to widows. One of her underlying themes was that as colonials we were still living under the laws of England - and that even in the backcountry social and legal norms existed.

Michelle DeEsch spoke on working with leather at her Saturday presentation. On Sunday she offered “hands on” and the scissors and needles were flying as women tried their hand at making moccasins.

Cindy Northup drew from the work she has done on 18th century language that appears on her Colonial Backwoods Message Board. It was enlightening and entertaining to hear the origins of phrases - and what our ancestors would have sounded like. She called Parson John a “gluepot” an 18th century term for a preacher that marries folks and “sticks them together.”

Jay Kell loves to find the original and the obscure in his research. Involved in living history since he was a young child he shared some of his favorite pieces. Settlers asking in letters back home to please just “send some things.” One account tells of a women who was often alone on the frontier for days at a time who was overjoyed to receive “one needle” from a fellow passing through.

Laura Willyard shared her cooking expertise and knowledge to visitors and re-enactors alike which culminated in a wonderful dinner on Saturday night.

Bill Farmer shared a small part of his knowledge in “All Things Natural.” If you have never had a chance to hear Bill do this talk it is well worth it.

Although you can barely see Debby Jenkins in the photo above that’s pretty much how her day went. There were so many people gathered around her to learn about “Firing a Flintlock” that we scarcely saw her.

and about sharing that knowledge and skills....

Paula Reasoner’s talk on Native life was held in the native camp. Paula got to not only present to the assembled women but was filmed by the crew from Hinton’s Living History that was on hand for the weekend. More about the filming - below.

Larry McQuown and his horse April also rarely got a break. From young lady re-enactors to visitors the girls flocked around April. As an added feature Bev Simpson and daughter Cami brought side saddles - so the girls could have a true 18th century experience .

Women on the Frontier is about skills....

Started three years ago by Larry Wilcher, the skills course is about putting all the weekend’s learning together. Women sign up in two divisions. A girls division of 14 and Under and a Women’s Division.

Elizabeth Huxford chooses what items to take on her “journey.”

Get firewood, fill a pail of water, name the workings of the gun, identify plants and herbs and start a fire with flint and steel. Simple if you managed to hear all the speakers. And don’t forget you are being timed - so run from station to station. Although the little girls had the speed advantage (why is it 87 degree temperatures don’t seem to bother them) while the adult women seemed to have the “knowledge” advantage.

Darby Hinton

Shan Hinton

Rolling cameras always bring an added note of excitement to a site. So special thanks to the Hinton family, and producer Gail Calloway and crew for joining in at Women on the Frontier. Their presence also brought the event to the attention of some non re-enactors who registered and participated in the weekend.

Special feature...

Check out these websites to learn more www.myspace.com/gotvproductions
 and www.danielboonepath.com and www.hintonslivinghistory.com

There was scarcely a dry eye on the hillside in front of the half face shelter as Carol gave another outstanding performance. Her first person narrative touches on the darker side of life early in our country’s history. Click here to see a newsreel of “Maggie” from this February’s fireside chats and watch for news on an upcoming DVD of Maggie Delaney.

Good times, good friends
 and the ‘good word’...