Headlines 2017


	Graphic Enterprises - Home of the Pioneer Times USA - A Web Site for Living History




Stories from 2017



		The 18th Century Market Fair at Locust Grove



	In addition to vendors and demonstrators the 18th Century Market Fair includes a tactical battle at Locust Grove in Louisville, KY. More photos....


			The Siege of Fort Boonesborough



	Natives and settlers clashed as Chief Blackfish and 400 Natives descended on Daniel Boone and the settlers living at Fort Boonesborough in 1778. The Siege lasted almost 11 days before the Indians retreated under darkness and rain after failing to take the fort. They had tried to tunnel under the fort walls and sent burning arrows to the cabins roofs - but all attempts failed. See photos of the 2017 re-enactment.


		The Long Run Massacre hosted by The Painted Stone Settlers



			Photos Now Loaded!


		The Fair at New Boston 2017

It was an abbreviated Fair at New Boston for us in 2017. We chose to attend on Saturday and despite a good weather prediction, rain and mist from Hurricane Harvey lingered throughout the day. The battle was changed to a tactical static display and we left before it happened. It was wise of the planners to not have running soldiers, militia and Indians on horseback and gun and cannon fire trying to fire with wet powder. But it is still a marvelous event and reports were for a beautiful day on Sunday.

	See the photos!


			The 235th Commemoration of The Battle of Blue Licks



		The American Revolution had already ended in the East when the last battle took place in Kentucky. Over 300 Indiansalong with British and Canadian troops waited in ambush for Kentucky militiamen assembled in Lexington to make their way north toward the Blue Licks. John Todd led the troops that had come together after the Indians had attacked the settlement at Bryans Station. His officers included prominent Kentuckians, Daniel Boone, Stephen Trigg and Hugh McGary. Benjamin Logan was enroute with additional forces but arrived after the battle. The Kentuckians were cut down in a matter of minutes. In a battle that lasted only about 15 minutes, many of the Kentuckians were killed. Each year at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park re-enactors recreate the historic battle. Click here for photos!


		200 Years after the Death of Jane Austen Fans honored her Passing at the 9th Annual Jane Austen Festival

Austen 17

	The annual Festival, held at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY is always a showcase for Regency fashions. In 2017 the theme was mourning. And although black was the color of the weekend, fashion was still the high priority. From mourning jewelry, to a widows veil, all of the regency ladies and gentleman were extremely well dressed. Visitors learned of the customs and colors of mourning the passing of a loved one. The wealthier the lady the more visible the morning. Those not as close to the deceased (and the lower classes) might wear only a black arm band or a black hat band. But like all the festivals, visitors came from across the country to learn, to share their love of Austen and the period and most of all the fashions. It was a weekend of seminars and hands on learning and a chance to see and be seen.

			See more....


		New Photos from Weekend Events


		Locust Grove 2017

	Historic Locust Grove, Louisville, KY held it’s spring encampment for the Illinois Regiment. Saturday was for this event like so many in the area a soggy affair with a continuous all day rain. But although Sunday was cool visitors ventured out to visit with the re-enactors and let their children “Muster in with the Illinois Regiment.” At left a demonstration of spinning and sheep by Ballyho Farm helped visitors understand the process of cloth making in the 18th century. Photos - click here!


	Women on the Frontier 2017

	Although also hampered by the weather, Women on the Frontier at Fort Boonesborough State Park faired a little better on Saturday as lectures and hands on classes moved inside the fort buildings. Here Fort Manager, Bill Farmer gives his talk on Frontier Remedies Edible and Medicinal Plants. The talk was originally scheduled as a walk though out the fort grounds but worked just as well indoors. Photos - click here!


	Painted Stone Settlers Host Jemima Boone

On April 13, over 80 people showed up at The Stratton Community Center in Shelbyville, KY to learn about the life of Jemima Boone. Daniel Boone’s oldest daughter was portrayed by Betsy Smith of the Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua Series.

Jemima was the daughter captured by Indians while at Fort Boonesborough.


	She was also the daughter Daniel llived with in Missouri at the end of his days. The Painted Stone Settlers offer one free program in the spring in addition to their reenactment of The Long Run Massacre in the fall. It is the groups way of giving back to the community that has supported them since 1999.




		Photos by Jim Cummings


	See more photos of the evening.


	Fort Boonesborough begins 2017 with The Fireside Chats


	Daniel Boone was portrayed by Kentucky Chautauqua performer Kevin Hardesty on February 4, 2017. It was a full house at the first Fireside Chat for 2017. With Fort Boonesborough being named for Daniel Boone, he is always a good draw as people come to see Boone in this his “home environment”.




		Suzanne Thompson has been portraying Mad Anne Bailey for over seven years.


		In the 2nd weekend of this February series Mad Anne Bailey visited the fort. Portrayed by Suzanne Thompson, Mad Anne was an historic figure who was a scout on the frontier. She is known for having donned her husbands clothes after his death at the hands of Indians. She took to the trail and warned settlements, carried messages and was instrumental in riding for much needed gun powder while Clendenin’s Station was under attack.



	Although many fireside chats have included a silent auction this year’s first event included a live auction of 18th century replica goods when auctioneer Mike Gooch dropped in for a visit.

The remaining two weeks saw Bart Cain (left) speaking on The Harpe Brothers - a pair known as the first serial killers on the American frontier.

And the final chat was perennial favorite Maggie Delaney, Indentured Servant giving visitors a glimpse into life as an Irish indenture living in the colonies. Maggie shines a new light on how many of our ancestors came to this country.


		New Book

At Graphic Enterprises we have just concluded an almost year long process in a new area for us – book publishing. Last February, Joan Mayer of Winchester, Kentucky asked for our help in getting her book to market. Joan is a delightful 83 year old who lives in a fantastic renovated 1790s log cabin surrounded by family land that was first settled in the early 1800s. She first started her book five or six years ago, as a genealogy piece for her family. It grew to almost 500 pages of stories of the area, growing up in Kentucky and being an integral part (with her parents) of The Iroquois Hunt Club. We found it to be a fascinating read and suggested a larger market than just family.

	We added photos, edited and formatted along with help from several folks, especially James D. Birchfield, Ph.D. The result is now available at Amazon.com. We will be working in the new year on some book signings and getting the book into some local book stores, libraries and museum stores – but wanted to give readers and friends a chance to learn more about the book.




		Enjoy A Victorian Christmas December 15-16 is the Final weekend at Whitehall’s Victorian Christmas.

			Photos now loaded!




	An 18th Century Christmas at Fort Boonesborough State Park

Ever wonder what the settlers did for Christmas in the 18th Century. Interpreters in period dress shared the customs of many of the homelands that early settlers came from. The Irish, the English, the Germans, the Welsh, the Scottish and more were all represented with cabins decorated in the style of the times. Candle lanterns lit the fort on Friday night and on Saturday visitors could visit during the day. Father Christmas was present and stories of Sinterklaas and Saint Nicholas explained many of the origins of present day Santa Claus. The event was hosted by the Fort Boonesborough Foundation and also included music and refreshments of hot cider, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. Photos now loaded!

		All stories and event photos from 2016 have moved. Click here to view these stories.