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By Sue Crase, Scribe
ONTONAGON - Whether you are a history buff,
genealogist, antique lover, outdoors enthusiast, or crafter, you will
learn something old at rendezvous. Our staff spent all fall and
winter talking to presenters and demonstrators, experts in their fields,
who have agreed to share their knowledge and their love of history for
your pleasure and education. This summer the Midwest Rendezvous is
coming back to Ontonagon, MI.
From July 30th through August 7th, we have a variety of classes,
demonstrations, and seminars planned that will take you back in history.
We welcome visitors each day from 9 AM till 5 PM and Wednesday night camp
will be open until 8:30 PM. Stroll through our streets to shop by
candlelight and listen to the music and laughter drifting through camp.
Our programs throughout the days include Napier’s Bones: a 17th Century
Calculator, Animals of the Fur Trade (a seminar specifically for kids),
1600-1800 Chess Play, Wild Herbs & Plants of The Great Lake Region and the
History of Wampum. We have demonstrations on Quill Work, Calligraphy,
Needle Tatting, Leather Working, Birch Bark Articles, and Herbal Medicinal
Uses lined up. Larry Chowning will be holding his Ladies Silver
Soiree where he discusses the History of Trade Silver. You can watch
the Coppersmith, the Glass Blower and the Blacksmith demonstrate their
skills with hand-made articles available for sale. If historic people are
your interest, you can learn about Denis da la Ronde: Commandant of Lake
Superior, the Early French Explorers of the Lake Superior and The Jesuit
Rings. Interested in the Ontonagon area? Local historian,
Bruce Johanson, Ontonagon Historical Museum Curator, will present a talk
on the Fur Trade History of Ontonagon.
So, how did all
these people find Ontonagon and Lake Superior way back then? Fur and
commodity buyers sent out scouts to survey the wilderness as possible
trade routes. John Curry, noted trekker, will be presenting a
seminar describing The Role of the Long Hunters in Early American History.
John Curry is a Muzzle Blasts magazine columnist and Long Hunter Expert
and has authored several books, which he would be happy to sign for you.
To learn more about Historic Treks, check out www.historicaltrekking.com
and www.ottmagazine.com.
The purpose of rendezvous was to create a
place where traders, trappers, Native Americans, missionaries and
Explorers gathered to trade their furs, goods, ideas and religion with one
another more than 350 years ago. A neutral place where everyone
gathered to trade, eat and have a good time. The perfect place to hold
such an event was on “Beaver Flats”. It is on this original
rendezvous site, bordered by the Ontonagon River and Lake Superior, where
we will hold our Midwest event. Several historic traders will be joining
us at “Beaver Flats” to offer their traditional supplies and accouterments
we use in our hobby. Food purveyors were part of our history, too.
You will find the local café owners taking up the task of preparing dishes
representative of the early 1800’s for anyone hungry enough to try it.
Music and gaiety have been part of these gatherings for centuries, and you
can’t help but tap your foot when you listen to Blue Celtic Grass. A
family band from Nashville TN, the brothers Miles, and friends will be
sharing their love of song and dance and their newly released tapes of
Traditional Celtic music. They have brought music to reenactments
for years, perform at The Tennessee Renaissance Faire, and won a 2004
International Festival of Cinema and Technology Award.
Since it’s inception in 1980, The Midwest Rendezvous has passed a Coupe
Stick on to each Head Dog Soldier. It has recently been refurbished
and has a story all it’s own when you listen to The History of the Midwest
Coupe Stick. History teaches us, informs us, and reminds us of events gone
by. Father Thomas has released the 1st edition of “The Midwest
Rendezvous History and Lore: 30 Years Later”. This is a collective attempt
at recording significant events and peculiarities that made each Midwest
Rendezvous unique in it’s own way.
It is our goal to
host an enjoyable Midwest Rendezvous experience for those who are curious
and enchanted by this historic hobby we love to do. We are glad to share
our knowledge, our enthusiasm and our advice to those who want to join us
in our adventure or just admire it from afar. We hope you enjoy the
programs we have lined up, the ambiance of a small village and the nicest
way I can think of to learn history. To learn more about our event,
the supporters in our gate book and the team organizing this event, visit
www.mwpr2010.com.
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