And So it Begins

Hello

Welcome to the Interpreting History blog. The description of this blog pretty well describes what our subject matter will cover, but then there is the question of “why should you listen to me?”

I was born in Louisville, KY and raised in southern Indiana. I graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute, where I developed an appreciation for both American history and military history. I served in the US Navy and used the travel opportunity to broaden my knowledge and understanding of European history, culture, and their impact on America.

I began my living history career working as a volunteer costumed interpreter at an early 18^th century Native American site at Virginia’s Explore Park from 1993 – 1999, and then worked in a similar position at the Native American living history village at Virginia’s Natural Bridge from 2000 - 2008.

In 2004, in conjunction with several other experienced living history interpreters, I founded the Southern Indian Department, a historical re-enactment organization dedicated to the portrayal British Southern Indian Department. Members portray its officers, employees, and southeastern natives. During this period, I developed my initial first-person persona, “Still Standing,” a half-French, half-Indian employee of the Department.

In 2006, I became interested in Lt. Col Thomas Brown, a loyalist officer during the American Revolutionary War, who also served as the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Cherokee and Creek nations beginning in 1780. I began the research required to bring him to life and, in 2009, after 3 years of preparation, I presented this character for the first time during the Under the Crown event at the Living History Park in North Augusta, SC.

Currently, I am assisting several other living history interpreters, who are starting two new reenactment units, the King’s Carolina Rangers, which was Col Thomas Brown’s provincial regiment, and the Olde Towne militia in North Augusta, SC.

So, let us have fun with this and remember, discuss differences of opinion in a civil manner.

Chuck H