The worst thing about CLT is having to wait a whole year before the next one.... It's bittersweet wrapping everything up the last few tours Saturday evening.
Since I (Susan) was up in the Grand Hall this year instead of a scene like Rebecca, Abigail, Kaja (scene #1) and Ellie (scene #4) I had some free time to go on the Press Tour!!!! that was fun, and I loved seeing all the scenes this year.
This first scene is the one Rebecca, Abi, and Kaja are in - Rebecca had a large amount of the speaking parts and Abi picked up one of the girls, who wasn't able to go the second day.
I had only heard them while practicing, but there were lots of good reports from others who went on the actual tour.
I spent the day snapping random pictures, just to make sure the ones I took on the tour weren't horrible..... haha, I realized - I'm clueless when it comes to operating cameras... I found the automatic settings worked out the best.
I love the Press!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They may just be half the reason why I love living history - No I'm not vain... ;) and you have to admit, it is thrilling to have your picture in the news, magazines and newspapers....
Scene two - Our friends Brett from the Border Creek Raiders and Galen one of the Park Rangers were in this scene - Being out in the Stables I don't think they had much opportunity to warm up. Both nights were cold!
Scene Three - We have some friends in this scene too! actually all the scenes have friends in them?? I think this is my ninth CLT and every one of them is such a memorable experience!! through the years we've gotten to know so many fun, knowledgable and helpful folk!
Carl A. is adding a little improv-drama to their practice run - There are so many talented reenactor/ess coming out to CLT!! they really make each scene extra special. I like the dinner scenes, because they have food!! - if I ever write any scenes, food will be my signature... food and women's history.... I can't help it.
Scene four! you can't mention this scene without adding exclamation points!! seriously! it was pretty intense. Ellie was playing one of the daughters whose family was being ordered out of their missouri home.
So what it's all about? General Order number 11 - To rid SW Missouri of Bushwhacker - Union Soldiers from the Fort Scott area were ordered to force families out of their homes of nearly four missouri counties! Jackson, Cass, Bates and Vernon. That way Bushwhackers wouldn't be able to find assistance from the people living in that area.
You can see the Grandmother is threatening them with her pitchfork.
I think Ellie (13) had a lot of fun participating and enjoyed the independence of being separate from her big sisters..... but she's such a little baby still...
Scene five - Last Thursday Abi and I set up this scene, some of the Ranger had brought over fire place, but the mantle fell off while we were working, so a little duct tape was enough to prevent disaster during the CLTs! :) I find setting the scenes to be the coziest project... Very much like playing house!!
This was the last scene - What I find to be plain old crazy is the people taking tour really get absorbed into the moment, it's not modern people acting these parts about Civil War history, it feels real, as though you're peeking into the lives of soldiers, women working to aid wounded soldiers, and raise funds for the war effort, or families losing their homes.... No one really notices the cardboard fireplace, tablecloth curtains, cinderblock walls or lathe showing through the plaster on the walls..... and that is such a neat experience, and so fun to be a part of!
