Sponsored by The Ladies of Refined Taste & Friends
and Minute Man National Historical Park

Hive 1: Sunday, January 15 — noon to 4pm

"The Buzz" noon–1pm  

Catch up with old friends, meet new ones, hear about upcoming events this season. Coffee and tea will be provided, snacks to share are always welcome.

Lectures

1pm–1:45pm   “Had on When She Ran Away”
Expanding the usefulness of garment data in runaway advertisements. Recently published in Textile History, the author will be sharing her research and the methodology used in collecting and analyzing runaway data, with a special focus on fabrics, their frequency and use in particular garments.
Speaker: Rebecca Fifield

2pm–2:45pm   Stockings close up: yours and mine
We'll begin with a slide lecture on 18th century stockings. Style changes throughout the century will be shown, as well as details of the frame-knitting process. Afterwards will be a chance to take a look at the original stockings in Carol Kocian's collection. Bring your own stockings, your knitting, or knit fabric you are thinking of using for stockings, to compare and discuss.

3pm–3:45pm   Encore – Stockings close up
For those who want to attend one our our clinics at 2pm.

Clinics 2pm–3pm

Breeches Fitting Clinic
Period breeches fit snugly around the leg and feel just below the knee. Bring in your off-the-rack breeches and learn how to make them have a more period correct (and flattering) appearance. No sewing experience necessary.

Kit Tune-Up/Getting Started
New to reenacting or does you kit need a tune-up? Join our team for an overview of Battle Road clothing standards. Separate clinics for men and women/children.

Fine Tune Your Bayonet Scabbard
Make some simple changes to your scabbard will make it more period correct.

Making an Apron*
An easy beginner project and a great refresher for experienced sewers. An apron is an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe; let’s make a new one!

Making a Market Wallet*
Sewing 101 for men. Learn basic hand sewing stitches as you make a practical and useful item for your kit.

Using Props as Interpretive Tools for Living History
Sometimes when talking to the public it’s hard to know where to start. We’ll look at the things you know about, like your clothing, your musket, and other props as a way of breaking the ice and feeling confident in your interpreting.

* Indicates pre-registration necessary and materials fees.

Hive 2: Sunday, February 12 — noon to 4pm

"The Buzz" noon–1pm  

Catch up with old friends, meet new ones, hear about upcoming events this season. Coffee and tea will be provided, snacks to share are always welcome.

Lectures 1pm–1:45pm, “Good Day”

The first part of this Hive will explore 18^th century speech patterns. Since they didn’t leave us tape recordings of how they actually sounded, we will listen to examples of period writings to get a better sense of how they really talked. Each of three 20-minute sessions will be repeated three times to allow participants to enjoy all three performances.

Life’s a Stage
The Hive Players will perform a period comedy for your amusement. Our skit will introduce you to 18^th century humor as well as the use of a wide range of common expressions.

Dear Diary
Diaries can be an essential element in portraying a particular person of the 18^th century. Our speakers will share their process of building their personae using original 18^th century diaries and documents.

Once Upon a Time…
What better way to learn how people expressed themselves than in period literature? You will hear excerpts of favorites from our Hive instructors.

Clinics 2pm–4pm

Deportment
Develop your 18^th century persona as we review how to walk, sit, stand and cross a room. Making a bow and giving a courtesy are not second nature to us, but practice does make perfect!
Instructors: Elizabeth and Matthew Mees

Binding a Pocketbook*
Learn the fine points of binding an 18^th century pocketbook. Master bookbinder Dave Kinghorn will show you how to make a period correct notebook to keep in your pocket.

Making a Linen Neckstock*
A gentleman’s neckstock is the 18^th century equivalent of a necktie, made of pleated linen and closed with a buckle. This class will teach all the construction essentials necessary to make a neckstock for a gentleman.
Instructor: Stephanie Smith

Trimming a Woman’s Straw Hat*
Learn some simple techniques of trimming a woman’s straw hat. Hats and Ribbons available.
Instructor: Hallie Larkin

* Indicates pre-registration necessary and materials fees.

Hive 3: Sunday, March 11 — noon to 3pm, Tavern Hive—presentation by the Friends of Minuteman Park at 3pm

Note time change: The Hive program will begin at noon.

Note location: This Hive will take place at the Minute Man Visitor Center on Route 2A in Lexington.

Tavern Hive noon–4pm

This entire Hive Sunday will be devoted to exploring the many facets of 18^th century taverns. This promises to be a fun and informative Hive programs, so don’t miss it! Topics will include:

Licenses & General Operation
Who could run a tavern and what made a tavern different from an inn or coffee house? How did you get a license in Massachusetts?
Speaker: TBA

Potent Potables: Tea, Rum & Spirits
Learn about the beverages that are synonymous with the Revolution. Where they came from, how they were drunk, and who drank them.
Speaker: Emily Murphy

Punch
What is punch? What are the ingredients? Need a receipt? How to drink it and how to serve it!
Speaker: Sabra Welch

Money, Money, Money
Pennies, pounds, shillings, dollars, pistoles, escudos… Colonial currency can be completely confusing!
Speaker: Matthew Mees

Music
We’ll take a look at the songs that really were sung in taverns.
Speaker: TBA

Gaming
Learn about games of chance, lotteries and cards.
Speaker: TBA

Interpreting a Tavern
When putting together the elements of a good tavern impression, what are the basic requirements?
Speaker: TBA

Myths
Fact or Fiction? Many of our ideas of tavern life are based on Hollywood and their interpretation. What is the real story?
Speaker: TBA

Program by the Friends of Minuteman Park at 3pm

One of the best ways that we can get an idea of how people lived in past centuries is through what they left behind. Join National Park Service historian Emily Murphy and NPS archaeologist Alicia Paresi to explore what the archaeological records say about life in Salem and Lincoln in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and the surprising similarities between the two.

Town and Country: an Exploration of Archeological Collections
Emily A. Murphy is the Park Historian for Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and is a specialist in Early American decorative arts and maritime history. Alicia Paresi is the Curator of Archaeology Collections at the Northeast Museum Services Center. As a historical archeologist she is interested in American decorative arts especially gravestones, ceramics, and furniture.