Encampment – East Civic Center Lawn
The Living History Camp consists of artisans, enactors, artifacts, and exhibits representing the indigenous People, Colonial and Mountain Man eras. On view will be several kinds of lodgings, such as wall tents, marquees, wedge tents, diamonds, lean-tos, and lodges. Traditions such as flintknapping, bow making, and black powder flint locks will be demonstrated.
You will find oak basket making, sassafras paddles, carved wooden dishes, muzzle-loader musket building, fire and ropemaking.
Processes such as blacksmithing, soapmaking, toolmaking, and whiskey making were essential over all the historical eras. Our demonstrators are masters in these processes.
All of these are part of the “Living History Encampment”. Look for a “River Camp” with famed C.W. Nichols at the helm of the Jon boat. You might see other river folks like Luther Boxx, famous tie-hacker from the 1890’s – 1930’s. You can experience food making – Dutch oven cooking and moonshine making. The Rendezvous Store will have merchandise from Colonial and Mountain Man eras, and other objects for purchase.
Participants will explain clothing, equipment and “how things were done”. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions throughout the camp.
Larry Quinalty – Dutch Oven Cooking
Sid Brink – Blacksmith
Rick Mansfield – C.W. Nichols Float Camp/Jon Boat
Rick Mansfield will re-enact C.W. Nichols’ Float Camp, complete with Jon boat. He’ll be on the east lawn of the Civic Center until 2PM Friday, and all day Saturday.
C.W. Nichols had been a guide in the old cypress swamps of the South and then after returning from the Great War in Europe, he guided on Ozark streams for more than half-a-century. Along with knowing where to find and catch fish, knowing the locations of the best gravel bars on which to camp, and of course storytelling, C.W.’s duties often included food preparation.
View his old-time vintage river boat display and catch one of his presentations as he describes the evolution of agriculture in the Ozarks during the first half of the 20th century and how those changes impacted his culinary offerings for his clients. Also, learn a bit of the folk lore and traditions accompanying eating back then. Did you know why you tear cornbread but NEVER slice it? You will!
Ozark Mountain Long Rifles – Mountain Man era camps
Kevin & Candy Sanders – Childrens Toys
Jim & Linda Strauch – Carved implements and Oak baskets
Kelly & Bev Wilfong – Rendezvous Store
Cathy & Terry Wyatt – Soapmaking and Whiskey making.
