The 5th Annual National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation (NRLHF) Corps of Discovery returns to the Nichols Field area of Raccoon Creek State Park, off Route 168 near Hookstown, PA. Beginning Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17, 2009, the event is free to the general public and provides visitors a break in all things technological and a chance to leave 2009 behind and experience living history in a pre-1840 camp environment.
The NRLHF Corps of Discovery staff remains committed to their goal of educating the public and providing a launching point to those who might be interested in becoming a re-enactor. In the past few years over 140 Christian and home school children have attended. One family’s children came dressed and spent the entire day in camp and last year a family began their journey into re-enacting.
The 5th Annual NRLHF Corps of Discovery will be open for organized school groups on Thursday and Friday, May 15-16 and to the general public on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18. Visiting hours will be 10:00am-4:30pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Starting in 2009, the event will be closed to the public on Sunday. Tentatively scheduled seminars include blacksmithing by Dan Saunders and Paul Godby of Black River Forge, Medina, OH, how to cook over an open fire by Don Ricetti, McDonald, PA, the art of scrimshaw by Gerry Heister, Lancaster, PA, different lighting of the era by Russell Buck, Erie, PA plus basket weaving demonstrations by David Stankus of McDonald, PA.
Tentative workshops scheduled-to-date include making a pair of Gillies (All materials including leather will be provided for a $5.00 fee) by Sheila Guy, edible plants of the region hosted by Patrick Adams, Raccoon Creek State Park Educational Director and how to make a wing-bone turkey call by Sheldon Brown. Don and Jill have a goal of adding to this list to make it as long the page you are reading – if you’re interested in helping teach on skills you’ve learned, please contact them by calling 724 947-4773, or by e-mailing jill.ricetti@earthlink.net.
Please watch the website http://home.earthlink.net/~segundo98/cod.htm for updates on seminars, workshops and work parties. Work parties for the event will start in January and will include cutting wood, clearing brush and cutting briars to keep the Nichol’s Field area of Raccoon Creek State Park usable.
In 2009, re-enactors will be able to compete once again in a devious tomahawk and knife trail walk. An archery range will be in place for testing bow and arrow or atlatl abilities! The public is more than welcome to watch and may even be provide the opportunity to try their hand at these challenging skills.
For more information visit the 2008 events section of www.nrlhf.org, or directly to the website at http://home.earthlink.net/~segundo98/cod.htm; call 724 947-4773 or e-mail jill.ricetti@earthlink.net.
The National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation Inc was formed in December of 1998 and incorporated March of 1999. A federal non-profit organization formed for the management of Living History Rendezvous between the time periods of 1640-1840, the NRLHF is a democratic foundation with elected delegates and Board of Directors.