News

• Authentic Civil War Chair
• Women's Costumes
• MSRA Songbook
• Ration Bag and Housewife Kits
• Next Year's Projects
  

Authentic Civil War Chair

The group has a prototype of a folding chair based on a civil war photograph. It is hand made to a professional standard. It will be available for viewing at all the events this year. The price will be approximately £60 and orders can be taken at an event with a deposit of £30 with delivery at the next event (if possible). If you want it posted then you will have to add on postage and packing!

Women's Costumes

We have found a very reasonably priced source of women's civil war costumes in the UK If you are having difficulty making your own clothes then we feel these are an acceptable alternative to 'get you started'. Contact us for further details.

MSRA Songbook

The MSRA have published a small songbook priced £1 available from the MSRA tent at events.

Ration Bag And Housewife Kits

Kits for making ration bags and housewives ( from authentic patterns) will be on sale from the MSRA tent. Everything is provided in the kit to make the articles - all you have to do is hand sew them !
The MSRA also has other 'period' items for sale included buttons, gloves etc.

Next Year's Projects

For next season there are two possible projects in the pipeline:

1. A post office
2. An abolitionist society impression

To re-enact a post office we need information about ACW postal history including the use of writing paper, ink, envelopes, stamps, hand stamps, postmarks etc. Also information about post bags, clothing (uniform?). If you have any information about any of these, or you know somebody who has, then please forward any information.
Prior to the civil war there were a number of Abolitionist Societies. Presumably these continued throughout the war. If anyone can trace any information about them please forward any information. Did you know John Brown, the famous abolitionist of Harper's Ferry fame, visited England ? He was a wool merchant at the time and came to England to find a market for his wool. It is more than likely he also met keen abolitionists like himself. If anyone has any information as to when and where he visited please forward the information.