How to Get Started in Living History | Prickett's Fort School of the Longhunter
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- Опубліковано 3 тра 2022
- Living history is at the crossroads of patriotism and reverence for the past. Every American has a duty to build upon the legacy that has been handed down to us, but it is important that in our zeal for building the future we do not forget the past. Breathing life into our American Heritage is an honor that living historians take very seriously. The gentlemen in this video have invested years of their lives into accurately portraying some of the most formative times in the American identity; the 18th-century frontier as it was seen during the French and Indian War and American Revolution. This was a rugged time and place, characterized by individuality, independence from authority, and an unrelenting desire to explore new frontiers, both physically and figuratively.
This year’s School of the Longhunter, hosted annually at Prickett’s Fort, marks a step toward taking my passion for the 18th-century more seriously. This was my first time attending a formal living history event, and I had a great time! I was able to meet so many kind and passionate people throughout the weekend and I highly recommend the event to anyone looking to take their longhunter or frontiersman persona to the next level. This is a very welcoming group, and everyone was generous with their knowledge and happy to provide mentorship.
In this video I directed a little bit of that mentorship towards the UA-cam community, highlighting some key advice from some of the most experienced attendees at the event.
If you are an experienced living historian, please drop some advice in the comments section for younger guys like me!
Check out the Prickett’s Fort website: www.prickettsfort.org/
Thanks for sharing. Great job !
Thanks for watching!
Very inspiring, thank you
Thanks for watching!
It's good to see young blood getting in to the hobby. Good job!
Thanks, I'm sure hoping to attract a few other younger guys! This is an especially rewarding hobby the younger you are, in my opinion, because you can get plugged into a sense of legacy that so many young people seem to lack in today's age.
@@FrontierTradingCompany how old are you? I’m 22 and just left the army and I’m looking for a hobby like this, now that I have time and I’m looking for tips to get into it?
@@Tinman-1 Thank you for your service. We're in the same age range! There are some great tips in this video - overall, the resounding advice is to GET YOURSELF TO EVENTS. Approach the older folks with a quick intro and let them know you're looking to get involved. The American Longrifles Forum is another window into conversations between some of the most famous artisans in this hobby and that is a great place to ask questions as well. Best piece of advice I would give you personally is to hold off on buying anything for as long as you can. You will get a feel for what is authentic and what isn't. Finding a mentor will serve you well too - they will be able to guide you into things so you spend money in the right places.
@@FrontierTradingCompany thank you so much for getting back to me very much appreciated! And I will definitely follow that advice thanks again!
Appreciate you being there and making this video. Ty for your time
It was a great event and I am so happy I came!!
Alex, this was super helpful.
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
Fantastic Job Alex. So glad you could join us at The School of the Long Hunter. We hope you can continue to attend and bring more young people into this great hobby!
Thanks for the comment, and please thank Bill again for the invite. It was great to meet you both - and everyone else! I look forward to coming back!
@@FrontierTradingCompany No problem! We look forward to the next Long Hunter and we'll keep you updated on other events!
I was at the Hawken Classic last weekend. That was a good time
Great to hear! Events like that keep us engaged in the hobby!
I recognized quite a few in the video. Well done with the video.
Thanks for watching, I appreciate the comment!
Another great video, Alex! I hope to see you at the for someday
Thanks Ethan! Appreciate the support, it would be great to see you at future events!
I'll be seeing yall soon! can't wait to walk into Pricketts!!
Great video! School of the longhunter is on my to do list, thanks for sharing.
Would be great to see you there in the future! It is a great event.
I love Prickett's Fort! I live north of Pittsburgh, but own 67 acres in WV for camping fun! Go past the Fort often.
Great video! Really cool looking site, as well - and nice hat, by the way. :)
Thank you, I'm honored to have you in my comments section! Love your content!
Sound advice from all. I am a War of 1812 reenactor in Canada. And we really need younger people in the hobby. As Hobbys go though,it's not really that expensive. If you buy smart and are able to make some things yourself over a couple of years the yearly outlay after that is very inexpensive compared to other hobbys. Great video!
I agree! The initial investment is all it takes to get you up and running!
Agreed, it’s not too expensive, but it can be. It is incumbent upon us older folks to remember what it was like to be young. Too many of us drive young people away by nitpicking, stitch counting, and harsh criticism. Yes, accurate portrayal is ideal, but it can also crush the drive from someone. Let’s all give some slack and some encouragement where it is due. Consider gifting your excess gear. Give up that book you haven’t cracked in a decade. Give them a good deal on something that’s hard to find. Let’s pass things on to this new generation so our history will continue to flourish.
Great job with the videography. I like your demeanor and the way you present.
Thank you!
I just watched Peter from the Woodland escape introduce you on his video and I just watched your introduction video. I grew up and lived 99% of my life around Bellefontaine , Ohio and it’s cool to see northwest Ohio native that had a UA-cam channel. I just moved to southern Indiana a year and a half ago and I’m 47 and I look forward to watching your videos.
Just passed through there yesterday! Welcome to the channel, thanks for commenting!
Excellent presentation! I like your advice,and the other people giving the advice!I have learned smothering from this video! My third great grandfather lived in the early and 1800s.He was a gunmaker,blacksmith, carpenter, and farmer.I will lern his skills. My favorite time periods are the 1700s and Early 1800s.David Back Menifee county Kentucky.
Glad you enjoyed it! This is a great group of people and their knowledge and variety of skillsets really help round out the event. This is a great way to connect with your heritage and I'm glad you've kept yours in mind! Our roots are so important.
Alex, you are the ambassador for your generation to this lifestyle. I hope you continue to inspire people your age to join us on this journey. There is so much generational conflict going on these days. But I hope we can come together to forge our bonds through an accurate history. Yes, there are portions which are dark and unfair, but this is life even today. Together we can best represent what life was like and come to an understanding of who we are and where we came from. Keep up the good work! Job well done so far. How can we help?
BTW, my ancestors, William ‘Longhunter’ Harrelson, Sr. and Jr. would’ve been honored by your efforts.
Thank you for the consistent encouragement with your comments, Karl. I appreciate having you along for this ride. The best way to help, in my opinion, is to first make sure that you are taking care of yourself in the hobby: always seeking to learn more, etc. -- then trying to bring other people into the fold as well. It is important that, even if people choose not to pursue living history, they are exposed to it and recognize it as a vehicle for practicing a reverence for the past. Thanks again!
Excellent video. How accepting do you think the community would be of a woman portraying Deborah Samson, who served in the Revolutionary War as Robert Shirtleff for about a year and a half (until the end of the war). She was a highly skilled soldier who was chosen to serve in the Light Infantry of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment (sort of a precursor to today’s special forces) and was injured in combat. She was the first woman in the US to be granted a pension for her military service. I know a lot of guys don’t like women portraying soldiers, but she really existed, and I think it’s important for her story to be told.
It sounds like you are very knowledgeable on the topic and if you were able to educate others, I think that portrayal would be a great addition to any group. There are a lot of oversaturated characters running around... lots of Simon Kenton or Daniel Boone "wannabes"... but I can't say that I've seen any Deborah Samsons! You might do a little calling around to verify that a particular unit in your area would readily take you in before spending money on supplies, but personally, I find it unique and very interesting.
@@FrontierTradingCompany I don’t know about these units. I live in Cincinnati. Do you have any suggestions about who I should talk to?
I used to want to get into it years ago.
It's never too late! I've learned that no matter how old you are, other guys will be happy to provide guidance!
I have been reenacting since 2019 and started working at a museum recently in Philadelphia. I have fallen back in love with a passion I thought I lost. I was at the battle of monmouth this year as my first Rev War reenactment. I had so much passion and vigor for what was going that I knew that is where I belonged. Reenacting and living history is more then a hobby for me. Its my strongest Passion and my life style. If I could I would buy a plot of land and build a frontier style Fort on it. Living every day as if I was a man in that era.
Another great video! Everyone had some good advice, for newcomers. As an aside..Joe Cramer is a truly great guy to have at an event, with ya.
Joe was great! Thank you for watching.
For a guy just now getting into traditional muzzleloaders, I’m very curious about the reenacting side of things, but am very intimidated. So this video was great! Glad I subscribed to your channel.
Happy I could help, thanks for watching! Everyone is SO friendly in this hobby. If you find yourself a good mentor or two you will be right on your way to fitting in with the best of them.
I would love to come to some of these events. They are just all during hunting season.
There needs to be more things like this from March thru Sept.
I'm sure there are many more like my son and I that are living history in the woods. Any true hunter ain't coming to any events during huntin season.
But if more events were held that were not in hunting season yeah. We would be there. We have been invited to several events. Just ain't gonna quit huntin to go.
This was a great montage brother. I started out in LH as a Scout myself and now at 36 I look upon my journey fondly and made tons of friends. I think Longhunting is going to be my retirement years focus. Now I am doing early 20th century with Civil War sprinkled in. Thanks for posting brother and keep on rocking!
Thanks! I've got a lot to learn and talking with more experienced folks is really expediting that process.
Great video. I have been thinking about attending the school of the longhunter. After seeing this, I think I’m putting on my schedule for next year.
You won't regret it! It's a great group of people, a very cool location, and very thoughtful instruction at the seminars throughout the weekend. I highly recommend!
Dates will be out soon. Pricketts Fort has a web site and a Facebook page. Be looking for info to come out by the end of this year.
@@heatherschneider6334 Thanks. I'll be on the lookout for it. I'm definitely planning on attending next year.
Hi, FTC, I just came across your channel and have enjoyed the two videos which I watched. I want to watch a few more before I decide whether to subscribe. Speaking of joining a reenactment group, I tried to connect with one about a year ago. They, however, don’t seem to be interested in expanding their group any. Congratulations on your channel and I hope it does well.
Some groups went largely inactive or contracted during the pandemic. You might have better luck trying to reconnect now. If anything, you might be able to go to a few events in your area to try to identify a mentor who could help you along. I hope you can find a few other people, even if only in forums online. Either way there is lots of great knowledge to go around!
@@FrontierTradingCompany I appreciate your positive response, however, I don’t think the group here in Wyoming was really interested in expanding their membership. In late July there is an event here in Cheyenne and which several reenactment groups participate. I might be able to find one of them to associate with.
Job well done great advice and no table talk the best was is to go to living history events and ask questions and research your time historical information.
Thanks! Appreciate the comment!
It’s great to see Nikki. I purchased a Kentucky pistol kit from him at a sporting goods store years ago.still have his card in my shooting box. Lol
Incredible! Small world - but a hard man to forget! Loved his enthusiasm.
I'm a youngish guy getting into this. (mid30s) One thing that really stands out to me is the general lack of athleticism of the people at these events. The things I'd like to see more of are primitive biathlon, or something similar. The 18th century woodsman was certanly an athletic fellow.
What folks may lack in athleticism is most always made up for in knowledge of the time period!
amazing
Thanks for watching!
Thanks a lot! looks like fun!
Sure is! Highly recommend it!
Thank you
Great video and great to see you young fellas that have such a passion for history and the art of the flintlock. I met you last weekend and the NMLRA nationals. I was the guy that showed you my Kibler SMR and Fowler I built. Great to meet you and next time you're in camp don't be a stranger!
Awesome, I remember! It's great to hear from you and I'll be sure to look for you again in the future!
Hey Alex, I live in Ohio as well on the Northeastern side. Really enjoy your videos and wanting to get involved with historical reenacting myself. Any suggestions on where I might start?
I personally do not use Facebook but I know many loving history groups choose to maintain their online presence there. You might be able to find a few groups in your area that will be able to mentor you. Second to that, attending events and asking questions will do a lot for your development in the hobby. Finally, if neither of those are feasible, I would recommend doing some deep research of your own - but this does not need to be a solitary pursuit either - you can easily make an account on a few forums and engage with mentors that way, too. The American Long Rifles Forum is a good one, as is The Muzzleloading Forum. Both have info about muzzleloading, of course, but also other art forms from the period and a significant amount of advice about clothing and material culture. Hope that helps!
Thank you for the great advice. I've contacted the B.AR. to see what information that they might have for me. Looking into the Long Rifle and Muzzleloader Forums as well.
I belong to the garland ridge runners muzzleloader club we are having our annual rendezvous Memorial Day weekend. We are in warren county pa ( northwestern pa). We are open the public. It would be a good source of information for someone starting out. You can come and watch, compete for fun, and camp. If you have never shot a smoke pole, one of the group will help you out and let you shoot one of theirs and walk you through all the steps.
Just saw you on the Woodland Escape video about Prickett’s Fort. After checking out some of your content, I subscribed. I see some familiar faces in this video. I hope you continue to produce videos as you have time.
Welcome aboard! Thanks so much!
Our group portrays 1940s stateside instructors and have immersion camps.
Great video. Suggestions and input like this is super important for educating people who might have an interest. Thanks for your work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Yeah Fort Henry days and Wheeling West Virginia he got Fort student days coming up in Steubenville Ohio and the one you just that they're all good ones
Great tips, thanks!
I am trying to get other young people into living history, but I can't make videos so could you please do an intro video about living history, and make it as inspirational as you can? That would be awsome!
Mike Beleview is in the video. Automatic like.
I would love to know more about the “Green Hats”. Do they have a web site or a Facebook page?
I think this is Great !!! I’m in Illinois where and when is your next exhibit because I would like to come and also for the trading exhibit for blankets and etc.
I expect my next event will be the School of the Longhunter again this coming year! Appreciate your enthusiasm and support!
I just recently started getting into this stuff with a guy I went to school with. This video is very accurate in showing how absolutely bat shit crazy 99% of the people that do this are. And I love it
Wow this is awesome thanks for sharing!! I am a young fellow and I want to get started into this reenacting and living history stuff I am a Ww2 reenactor but I would love to get into the stuff! I live in Ohio. Also, where do you get your hunting uniform?
Thanks for watching, I notice you've commented a few times and I really appreciate that, too.
My outfit has been pieced together or created by myself over a period of 7 years, and I still have a long way to go. The hunting shirt, or "frock" as many call it (outermost fringed garmet) came from Smoke & Fire Co. in Waterville, Ohio. Last I was in that part of the state, they were remodeling, so if you put in an order, it might be worth calling first. My Waistecoat (often pronounced "weskit" in the 18th-century), shirt, and drop-front breeches (concealed under my leggings and hunting shirt) came from Smoke & Fire Co as well. Shirts and pants are standard, so pick those up wherever you can find them cheapest without compromising on quality. The waistcoats begin to incorporate a little more stylistic preference, so do a little searching around before swinging for one of those, and the hunting shirt, or "frock," has many variations and most every 18th-century store carries one of their own. The leggings and moccasins I made myself (video on the construction coming sometime this summer), and the hat is from Crazy Crow Trading Post. The garters on my leggings are wool, hand woven by Nathan Kobuck, and my rifle is a Jim Kibler Colonial Kit. The most prominent change needed on my outfit currently is the removal of the dye from my leggings and moccasins, which can be done with RIT dye remover (can buy at any store).
Hope that gives you some direction!
@@FrontierTradingCompany wow thanks so much!!
Go watch Snowalker 13 Shadows in the forest. It’ll put you up a few miles. I’ll be glad when you get some good sound equipment
Haha, me too! I've seen a lot of his videos and am slowly taking my kit more in his direction.
Would you ever carry a flintlock pistol or do others carry one? Also, do you have a larger or mid size camp knife that you carry?
I have seen come carry them, but I personally do not have one… yet. I do usually carry a larger belt knife, or simply, a “long knife” as many referred to them in the period, as well as a tomahawk on my belt.
@@FrontierTradingCompany My ancestors were the Skinners and Calkins of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Delaware Valley. They were given a Land Charter from King Charles and settled that area in 1755. Which of course, was during the French and Indian War. They even had a stockade next to the Delaware River on land that eventually became my Grandma's farm that she grew up on. Fort Delaware in New York is a recreation of that stockade. Would their clothes and rifles / tools have been any different than yours in 1755? Also, some of my ancestors' homes still exist there and their history in that area is taught at the colleges in Pennsylvania. Parts of the river are also named after them.
What part of ohio are you from. I'm from near Cleveland.
Will you be at Martin's Station this weekend
Wish I could have made it 😓
@Frontier Trading Company this weekend in Stanford Kentucky Logans Fort is going on
Whereabouts in ohio are you located?
Huuuyyyyyyyyiiii maravilla sería tener una vida q no jire la plata
Great video. Too bad many people said it was "expensive." Not everyone needs a $5000 long rifle with flame maple stock, scrolling and inlays. Shooting sports in general are expensive, but not as expensive as a lot of things, like cars, boats, motorcycles (especially if you get in a wreck), travel, mountain climbing, skiing, horses, computer games, girls, and, dare I say it, drugs.
This is a great point, thank you for commenting.
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Unfortunately the reenacting community is in direct competition with Xbox and social media for young peoples attention…
Agreed. Have to keep up the fight. Glad this is being posted on a platform relatable for the youngins.
Re-enactment and living history are on their way out. Yes, a few young people are interested, but the demographic is shifting rapidly away.
Not for the betterment of country and society!
Agreed. Things ebb and flow though. Hopefully a great Hollywood move will stimulate a bit of interest again soon.
I’m not sure which circles in the hobby you’re hanging out in, but from where I’m standing I couldn’t disagree more.
My last reenactment event was 37 years ago. I attended an event one year ago as part of the public and was shocked how much it has grown for the better. I have just joined up this year as a participant and couldn’t be happier with how things are going. Keep going and appreciate what is going on.
I think that generally speaking, as culture shifts away from tradition and a reverence for the past, there is a sort of hollow, ungrounded space that develops in young people. Knowing and understanding our heritage as Americans can plug you into a sense of legacy (and a responsibility to represent it accurately) that adds a heightened sense of perspective to regular, every day activities. I hope that over time we will see more young people finding their lane in this hobby.
Ask snowwalker .Brian. hell steer ya striaght
Unfortunately I don't believe he made it out this year. There were a few familiar faces from the UA-cam community, though. I sure have seen his videos and it would have been great to meet him in person!
@@FrontierTradingCompany that's unfortunate .hes usually good bout hitting this event
@@tomritter493 Unfortunately Brian has not been to the last few Long Hunters at Pricketts. He's got an almost two year old German Short Haired Pointer he's been training and has also been licensed as a Maine as well as a NY State Guide.
@@heatherschneider6334 ya he is busy I know that .shame bout thor .hell be back he cant stay away long great guy though