Interview with Pottsgrove Manor

      Last year I was asked to do an interview with Pottsgrove Manor in Pottsgrove, PA, about my jewelry business.  It was the same time I was dealing with my horse, Mindy Lou, having health issues and having to send her to Heaven.  It was a very hard time for me, and I was not actually interested in doing anything much less a video interview.  However, they were very patient with me, I prayed on it, and decided to do it.  

     The video is on YouTube and embedded in this post.  Please like it to boost the views.  Thank you again for supporting me and my horses.  It is greatly appreciated!

 

Link is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT68Nm7rti0

Bread, The Support of Life, Part II - Article in Muzzleloader Magazine, January/February 2025

      I was asked a year or so ago to write articles for Muzzleloader Magazine, and my second article on Bread - Indian Corn was published!  Make sure you buy a copy or subscription to read it.  It includes receipes (or receipts as they called them in the 18th century).  There will be future articles on select articles on jewelry, and definitely more on food!

 

 

 

Dinner and Ball at Gadsby's Tavern, 28 December 2024

      I was invited to attend a dinner and ball on 28 December 2024 to close out the year!  I have a very nice evening with good friends.  The usual suspects were in attendance!

 

     The theme was the Bals des Victimes or Survivor's Balls which were taking place all over Paris in 1795. The Reign of Terror had ended, and Robespierre had been guillotined.

     I am dressed in the later 18th century attire when in the 1790's there was a transition period. I am pleased with how my clothing came together - my gown was made by Paupers Modiste via Etsy, silk open robe by Classic Costume, jewelry by me, and my headwear was borrowed from Elizabeth Figler. You cannot see my shoes but they were made by Rose Galante also on Etsy in the gold silk pumps (and so comfortable).

 

Krista Jasillo and I

 

Elizabeth Figler and Krista

 

John Douglass Hall, Gema Gonzalez, Shane Kippenhan, and I

 

Gema, Krista, and Heather Kenney (the hostess)

 

Harry Aycock, Liz Webb, Elizabeth and I

 

Elizabeth and I

 

Penny Di Palma and Miss Perry

 

Harry Aycock and I

Merry Christmas 2024

 

Yuletide Living History in Historic Annapolis - Paca House and Gardens

      This past weekend, on 7 December 2024, I participated in the annual Yuletide program in Annapolis, Maryland.  It does not go unnoticed by me that 7 December is also the anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

 

The assembled company

     The year is 1774.  We are working our way up to 1776 (2026) for the 250th anniversary of America declaring independence from Britain.  The assembled players, above, enjoyed a small gathering with Mr. Paca with His Excellency Governor Eden as a special guest.

     We had guest participation of museum educators from Historic Annapolis in the form of Sarah the cook, and Denby who was Mr. Paca's personal manservant in the 18th century.

     An interesting topic of discussion was the fire that had just happened in Annapolis by the docks, the burning of the ship Peggy Stewart, and the Eighth resolution put out just after the first Continental Congress met on 5 September to 24 October of 1774.  The Eighth resolution, along with all 14, put restrictions and gave instructions on what people were to do and not do since the breakdown in communication with Britain after the Boston "massacre" in 1770, and the reinstatement of the tea act in 1773.  There were many things going on to stir up the colonists resentment.

 

Maryland Gazette, 3 November 1774

     

Maryland Gazette, 1 December 1774

     The other interesting thing here is that Governor Eden had just returned from a trip to London when this was taking place, and he came back to what seemed like a peaceful Annapolis. 
    

    

Mrs. Ogle, Mrs. Johnson, and Mr. Paca

Mrs. Carroll, wife of the Barrister (me)

Mrs Carroll, wife of the Barrister and Mrs. Carroll whose husband is of Carrollton - we are playing a child's alphabet dice spelling game instead of cards

Sarah

Denby

Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Paca

Governor Eden and Mrs. Ogle

Mrs. Carroll (Carrollton), Mrs. Calvert, Mrs. Carroll (Barrister), Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Ogle

Mrs. Carroll whose husband is of Carrollton

Mrs. Lloyd

Mrs. Calvert, Mrs. Brice III, Mrs Carroll and Mrs. Johnson

Mrs. Carroll whose husband is the Barrister

Mrs. Lloyd and Governor Eden

     All photos should be attributed to "Elizabeth Bersche on behalf of the Annapolis Living Historians".

 

     My gown is by Midinette Costuming via Etsy, shoes by American Duchess (best for indoor wear), jewelry and fan is from my shop or personal collection, and my wig is from K. History Wig Design on Facebook.

   

George Washington's Mount Vernon Peach Brandy and my horse, Nelson

     

     In September, I was shown a giclee of a painting by Pamela Patrick White.  It was a special project that she had worked on with George Washington's Mount Vernon.  The painting was to be auctioned off, but it was to also be the new label for their peach brandy.  I purchased that giclee which was the first one printed, and it is now framed and on my wall in my home. 

     The special part of this is that it is the fifth painting that Pam has painted of my horse, Nelson.  Nelson is a retired Colonial Williamsburg horse that I adopted in November of 2014.  This year, next month, will be our 10th anniversary together.

     Now millions of people who purchase the brandy will see my Nelson on it.  I will definitely be purchasing a bottle of the brandy.

     Here is a photo of Nelson today.

HIGHLIGHT - Societe Des Dames, 5 October 2024

 

 

     On October 5th, the "Societe des dames" was held at the Manoir Mauvide-Genest in Quebec. The Societe d’histoire In Memoriam (SHIM) invited and brought together 15 people from the historical re-enactment community to participate in this unique project that aims to highlight artistic, scientific, intellectual and women's activities, considering that the majority of historical activities and animations in Quebec are generally military-themed and camp-based. 

     Their event was an opportunity to discover a new part of life in Nouvelle-France in the 1750s, a slightly worldly one where people entertained themselves with wit and discussed the latest news; while occupying themselves with some arts and elegant work. One of the activities was a pharaoh lottery where several magnificent prizes came from my shop!  

 

     I am told that the participants were dazzled by the beauty and quality of the prizes; which greatly contributed to the excitement and charm of the lottery! 

     SHIM is focused on discovering and experimenting with new aspects of history; especially from Quebec, in order to learn more about life in the past and then put it all into practice in the context of historical re-enactments.  SHIM has specialized in high-level historical re-enactments since 2001. With its unique and innovative approach, it is constantly renewing itself in order to reconstruct aspects of the past that are often neglected. Boldly, it shakes up the way things are done to make history more accessible while advocating a rigorous application of sources. Revamped in 2022 after a break, SHIM now shares the results of research on social media, through open activities by invitation, and also in collaboration with various institutions or organizations.

Their contact information can be found at -
Manoir Mauvide-Genest : www.manoirmauvidegenest.com
SHIM : Société d'histoire In Memoriam - YouTube (also on Facebook!)

Published in Muzzleloader Magazine, September/October 2024

      In April of this year, I was at the Fort Frederick Market Fair in Big Pool, Maryland.  Set up across from my tent/shop was Muzzleloader, The Publication for Traditional Black Powder Shooters.  Jason Gatliff, the publisher, is a friend and he approached me to write articles within the magazine.  I was honored to be asked, and it gives me an outlet to publish my research as well as provide information for the readers.  Many know that I started out reenacting as a hearth cook, and evolved into starting - from scratch - a jewelry business to care for my rescue horses.  

      My first article for Muzzleloader was recently published in the September/October 2024 issue!  I share a few images of it below, but please go and either purchase the magazine to read the article, or subscribe!  The magazine has more information within it than hunting and muskets - but that is there too of course!

Part II coming out soon!