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

Hive 1: Sunday, January 20 — noon to 4pm

“The Buzz” noon–1pm  

Come early, catch up with friends, meet new people—get the latest buzz. We'll be talking about this year's Challenge Event. So if you were considering participating, stop by and find out what it's all about. Coffee and tea will be provided; snacks to share are always welcome.

Lectures

1pm–1:45pm   The Process of Putting Together a Great Kit
What are the steps to creating a really terrific kit? We will explore where to start, how to document your choices using primary sources, as well as selecting appropriate patterns and fabric. Most importantly, we'll look at the elements that set an impression apart, from the fit to the details. Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced reenactor who would like to get to the next level of accuracy, you should find this helpful.

Breakout Sessions 2pm–4pm

Newbie Clinic for Women
By watching our models transform into their 18th century selves, you'll learn about how to build your kit from the inside out and from head to toe.

Kit Tune up for Men
Fixing Baggie Breeches & Wobbly Waistcoats: A good fit can dramatically improve the look of your small clothes, even if you bought them off the rack. Bring your ill-fitting breeches and waistcoat and learn the simple methods you need to know to give them a proper 18th century fit.

Converting your Center Front Closing Gown into A Stomacher/Robings Gown
If you have some leftover fabric (or a matching petticoat) you can easily make your center front closing gown into a stomacher front gown—a style that is more appropriate for Battle Road/pre 1780's New England.

Darning a Sock
Have you blown out the heel of your stocking? Ripped a hole in them running through the woods? Learn how to repair the damage! Save your stockings with this useful skill.

Hand Sewing 101
Are you taking any of the clothing workshops this year? Considering hand sewing a garment but don't know where to start? Join us for a primer on basic hand sewing—from what kind of needle to select to mastering the basic stitches you'll need to know. You will make a small drawstring bag.

Finishing Your Shift
Have you finished the shift you started at a previous Hive workshop? If you need an little motivation or help restarting your shift project, join Sharon for a shift sewing circle.

Please day register for the January Hive using Eventzilla.

Hive 2: Sunday, February 10 — 11:30 to 4pm   Note early start time  Cancelled due to blizzard. Content will be merged into March Hive; stay tuned for further details.

“The Buzz” 11:30–1pm   Discussion: The Challenge - Getting Started

Need some inspiration to get started on your impression for this year's Challenge? Learn about how others are getting started, become inspired, and get the support you need to take the first steps. Coffee and tea will be provided, snacks to share are always welcome.

Lecture 1pm–1:30pm   “Clothing Makes the Man (or Woman)”
How come some people look like they just walked out of a portrait? What are the elements that create a total 18th century look from way a garment is worn to the accessories—we'll highlight several types of impressions including civilian and military.

A Bit of Theatre 1:30pm–2pm
His Majesty's 10th Foot Players Present “Theatricals for your Amusement” Theatre is a great way to get a better appreciation of the spoken word of a period and the closest thing we have to an verbal time machine—so enjoy the show!

Breakout Sessions 2:15pm–4pm

Deportment
Enroll in Master and Mistress Mees' 18th Century Finishing School to brush up on your deportment. Learn how (and who) to greet, practice your courtesies and bows, and avoid social awkwardness at your next gathering.

First Person Clinic
Does the thought of doing a first-person interpretation make you break out in a cold sweat? Join John Adams interpreter Tom Macy and other expert first-person interpreters who will take the mystery out of role playing. They'll discuss the tricks and traps and let you practice what you've learned.

Accouterments Real & Reproduction
View items of militaria from local collections—guns, cartridge boxes, powder horns, as well as some their reproductions that allow us a closer/hands-on view or details. The accouterments breakout session has been canceled since no firearms or edged weapons are allowed on school property. Our mistake–we planned these workshops before there was a change in venue and, duh, forgot that we were at at school. Instead, we are offering a breakout session "All Things Buttons".

All Things Buttons
We'll be teaching everything from how to make a buttonhole (or overcast a machine made one) to how to cover a button, make a death's head button, and attach a button. So if you are button-challenged, this is the breakout session for you!

Please register for the February Hive using Eventzilla.

Hive 3 (combined February/March Super Hive): Sunday, March 10 — 10am to 4pm, Note early start time. Doors open at 9:30.

Morning Session

10am–10:45   Drama and Donuts   Period drama, is like a verbal time machine—the playwright lets us hear speech patterns, expressions and verbal exchanges. We're going to kick off our Super Hive by viewing scenes from two Richard Brinsley Sheridan comedies, "School for Scandal" and "The Rivals". Start your day with the crazy antics of characters like Mrs. Malaprop and Lydia Languish! Later you'll be able to channel Lady Sneerwell and Benjamin Backbite in the first person or deportment breakout sessions.

Breakout Sessions 11am–noon

Deportment
Enroll in Mr & Mrs Mees' 18th Century Finishing School to brush up on your deportment. Learn how (and who) to greet, practice your courtesies and bows, and avoid being a social disgrace at your next gathering.

First Person
Does the thought of doing a first-person interpretation make you break out in a cold sweat? Join Plymouth Plantation interpreter Chris Anderson who will take the mystery out of role playing. You'll learn tricks and traps and let you practice what you have learned.

Button, Button, Who's got the Button
Join Hallie & Steph for a primer on buttons. Learn how to make a buttonhole, cover a button and make a death's head button.

“The Buzz” noon–1pm

It will be a month away from Battle Road—how are your projects coming? Get advice, inspiration or just commiserate with fellow sewers. Check in with your progress for The Challenge. Coffee and tea will be provided; snacks to share are always welcome. Judy Cataldo is coordinating a pot luck lunch; people can sign up at perfectpotluck.com. Or bring your own lunch.

Afternoon Session

Lectures 1pm–2

1pm–1:30   The Commerce of 18th Century Taverns
Despite our contemporary, romantic notions of what an 18th century tavern was, taverns were businesses. We'll take a closer look at the commercial side of New England taverns.

1pm–1:30   Furnishing Your Impression
Furniture Maker and North Bennett Street graduate, Chris Anderson will show us how to complete your impression with the correct chairs and tables. What you sit on is as important as what is sitting upon it!

Breakout Sessions 2–3:30
(Each session will run 30 minutes and everyone will get to rotate between all three sessions.)

• Bring This/Not That   We'll be looking at reproductions of everything from teapots to flatware, compare them to originals, then vote whether you think they are event worthy or not.
• Gaming—Learn some of the games that were played in New England taverns. A chance to try a few period games, master new skills at cards, not to mention have some fun. It is the Sabbath however, so gambling will not be tolerated lest our tavern keeper lose her license.
• Punch Making—Our Tavern Keeper, Mistress Welch, will share some of her favorite punch making methods and recipes with you. Then sample the goods. (Materials Cost: $2) N.B. Due to house rules—we'll be sampling punches without spirits.

Please register for the March Hive using Eventzilla.

Registration

Pre-registration is recommended—and greatly appreciated!—for both Hive lectures and clinics so we can plan for adequate space and materials. We are using Eventzilla for registration. Please click on the links below to register for each Hive day.