historian

Exciting New Year

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment

Gazette665

It’s 2015! I’m launching a couple new features here on Gazette665.

#1. The History Learning Center Students and Teachers have been asking for booklists and resources. Well, your wishes are about to come true. I’ve complied lists of my favorite books (history and fiction) from all eras of American History and it is available for FREE! My goal is to provide helpful resources for students, teachers, and folks who (like me) just love history or a good story.

#2. Holiday History & Craft This feature is geared toward younger folks and hence these posts will take a slightly different tone in writing style. Parents (grandparents, siblings, anyone) do kids ever ask you: why do we celebrate this holiday? Answers are coming to your inbox (if you’ve signed up for blog post emails). Read a short history of some of the most popular holidays throughout the year. Look for a post and craft idea each month. Holiday Crafts will be shared on the first Monday of each month.

#3. Gazette665 on Facebook Yep, I finally bit the bullet. You can follow Gazette665 and all the Historical Information and Inspiration on Facebook. Come on over and LIKE it today!

#4. Gazette665 on Pinterest After hearing about this network, I decided to jump in and share photos I like, inspiration for stories, and other fun stuff. Come take a look at the “boards” of our favorite things! Find some historical inspiration.

Wow…Four new features! Yes, yes, yes! Gazette665 is growing and this is going to be an exciting year. Find more Historical Information and Inspiration at your fingertips when you need it.

Gazette665 is only a click away from helping you with research, trivia questions, or argument winning. 😉 And, as always, drop a comment or send a request if you have thoughts, concerns, or requests.

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Next Friday starts our first history series of the year “To Cross The Alps: The Leadership of Hannibal” – see you then (or sooner on Facebook)

Photos From Moorpark Civil War Re-enactment 2014 (Part 2)

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 2 Comments

Here are the promised photos of “The McGuire Home, Winchester, Virginia” at the Moorpark Civil War Re-enactment 2014. For re-enactment military photos from this event, click here.

We had a great time at this event. Our camping location was superb and we were able to share history, answer questions, and interact with a lot of spectators and students. Thank you to the Moorpark Rotary Club for hosting another wonderful weekend.

There were new display items featured at our “home.” We had a box of supplies and Christmas gifts which we were preparing to “send” to our McGuire family members with the army. I think people enjoyed seeing the simple, practical, hand-made gifts, and it was a nice teaching tool when talking about the historical family members and what they did during the war. (If you want historical information about the McGuire Family, please use this link.)

I took 75 Christmas cards to the event and invited re-enactors to sign them for US troops stationed oversees. The project was a great success! And many thanks to the chaplains, officers, and other re-enactors for their help and support.

Enjoy the photos! (You can click on one photo and view all of them as a gallery).

An exciting news update on my research of the McGuire family! Earlier this week I found a portrait of Captain Hugh H. McGuire who was in the 11th Virginia Cavalry. Maybe I’ll write a special post about Captain McGuire at a later time.

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Which is your favorite photo? Do you have questions about the weekend, our living history scenario, or the new display items? Share your thoughts in a comment.

And don’t forget…tomorrow (Friday) is Part 2 in Shakespeare’s Historical Fiction.

 

Photos from Moorpark Civil War Re-enactment 2014 (Part 1)

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

Here are some photos from my weekend at the Moorpark Civil War Re-enactment 2014. This gallery contains a few of the best “battle” pictures.

It was a challenging location for taking photos; the ground was sloped, the combatants didn’t venture too close to the sidelines, and it was terribly dusty. However, I still had fun snapping photos and here are my favorites.

(You can click on one of the photos to see them all in larger format and as a slideshow).

I will post some photos of my civilian “home” and some of our living history activities. Look for those tomorrow!

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Which is your favorite photo?

3 Days ‘Til Moorpark 2014

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

This video was filmed at a Civil War Re-enactment in Pennsylvania…  If you’re on the west coast of the US and thinking “I would’ve loved to go, but couldn’t make it to Pennsylvania”, fear not.

MOORPARK CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT 2014 starts in 3 days and is the largest Civil War event west of the Mississippi River. Here’s a link with lots of information. (And remember: the event’s at a new location this year, so check for the new address.)

“McGuire Home, Winchester, Virginia,” Civil War Living History Group is attending this event. (Yeah, I need to go finish ironing about 15 yards of calico skirts…). We have some new display items and will be packing a Christmas box for the McGuire men who are with the Confederate military…can you guess some of the practical items we’ve accumulated? (I’ll post some photos of the display and event next week, in case you’re not attending).

Check out the new Living History pages. And if you’re attending this event or another Civil War re-enactment you may find this page (and the Student Questions) helpful!

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Oh, by the way, the video clip is supposed to portray the Battle of Fairfield (July 3, 1863). Captain Hugh McGuire of the 11th Virginia Cavalry fought there.

 

Why Virginia?

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment

I’m about 10 days away from attending the largest Civil War Re-enactment west of the Mississippi River…and yes, I’m excited. This will be the third year I’ve participated, but the first year that I get to take my own living history group to the event. Right now, I’m busy prepping the packing lists, finishing some sewing projects, and anticipating (and somewhat dreading) ironing the civilian costumes. (Each skirt is five yards of fabric!)

Since I’ve started portraying a member of the Virginian McGuire Family, I’ve noticed that one question a lot of spectators ask is “are you related to the family?” The answer is “no, unfortunately I’m not.” Then they usually get a curious look and ask, “Then why are you portraying Miss McGuire?” That’s a good question.

Short answer: I greatly admire Margaretta McGuire and her family. Long answer: I’m launching some extensive research projects about Virginian civilians and military leaders during the war and I needed to streamline my living history endeavors and research. I started searching for a Virginia family. Through studies of General “Stonewall” Jackson I knew about his surgeon – Dr. Hunter McGuire. A bit of historical paper-trails led to the re-discovery of Hunter’s family. When I found Miss Margaretta and learned that she lived in Winchester for the whole war (surviving 48 enemy occupations of the town) I knew I’d found someone special. Further research has revealed the strength of Miss Margaretta’s character, her godly life, and her willingness to fulfill a “daughter at home” role in family life.

Miss Margaretta

Miss Sarah as Margaretta McGuire

So “Why Virginia? How did your interest start there?” Well, Virginia is one of cornerstone states for the Confederacy during the Civil War. It is also one of the most war torn states since a lot of fighting happened there. The political advantages of Virginia, its strategic military location, and citizens’ tenacity are fascinating to me. But, ultimately, it is the people of Civil War Virginia and their personal stories set in that extreme tide of war that captivate me…

As I survey my Virginia histories and biographies (either on the shelf, stacked on my desk, or scattered around my study room), I feel “at home.” This feeling is difficult to put into words, but the history of these Virginians is welcoming and fascinating. I’m proud to say that in my living history persona and favorite area of study: Virginia Is My Home.

Enjoy this song from the soundtrack of “Gods and Generals.” Its sweeping melody is one of my favorites, and it wordlessly communicates the pride, enthusiasm, and honor of Civil War Virginia.

See you at Moorpark 2014?

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Last post on the Shenandoah Valley during the Autumn 1864 on Friday!

Photos from Tom’s Farm Civil War Re-enactment 2014

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 2 Comments

Last Saturday I spent a busy day at Tom’s Farm Civil War Re-enactment. From 10am to 6pm I asked research questions, talked with friends, made new acquaintances, and absorbed the military setting. This is where the daydreams for new stories and historical projects begin.

I thought I’d share a couple of the best photos from the event. Enjoy! (You can click on one of the photos to see them all in larger format and as a slideshow).

Mark your calendars – Moorpark Civil War Re-enactment (the largest one west of the Mississippi River) is the second weekend of November! Expect to see a few more posts about this event as it draws nearer…

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Leave a comment if you have a favorite photo – I’d appreciate it! Back to the Shenandoah Valley on Friday… What was General Sheridan’s surprise early on the morning of October 19, 1864?