Living History Activities for Thanksgiving
Last modified on 2009-09-16 22:20:00 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
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That said, I find in the primary source document Of Plimoth Plantation, that the New Englanders were pretty hardy by comparison to modern, pampered Americans. They both “worked the fields” on Christmas Day 1621, as well as played Stool-ball (the forerunner to Cricket and Baseball) in the street of Plymouth. For all we know there was snow on the ground!
No matter which part of the country you live in, though, we have you covered with a well rounded list of historical indoor and outdoor games and activities for Thanksgiving Day in The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, Second Edition.
The following ideas (posts) are just a sampling…
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Target Competitions, Outdoor
Last modified on 2009-09-16 22:21:09 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Something that is a little more on the spendy side, but incredibly fun for the family, are target competitions with either authentically re-created long bows and arrows, or reproduction matchlocks.
All the historical how-to’s and resources you’ll need for New England Indian long bow making or buying are contained in The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, along with where to buy the most authentic reproduction matchlock kits.
Obviously it is a little easier to get away with bow and arrow competitions in the typical suburban back yard, than matchlock competitions. But then again, if you have family with any kind of acreage, you’re in luck!
I personally have only scratched the surface with this one since it is a financial stretch for us just yet (I’ve started making arrows from scratch). I can tell you though, the gentlemen in our family are all eager for this idea to materialize!
Tags: make long bow, things to do for thanksgiving, bow and arrow sport, sports thanksgiving, target competitions, outdoor competitions, activities for thanksgiving, ideas thanksgiving
Flint and gut-hafted arrow tip
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Old English Card Games
Last modified on 2009-09-12 14:30:49 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Our family, ages 10-55, really enjoyed learning (and teaching) the old card game of Mawe last year. Mawe is reported to have been King James’ favorite card game, while Piquet was Queen Elizabeth’s. We found Piquet too hard to learn (it was hard enough that everyone lost interest in trying), but Mawe went over with flying colors.
… Or maybe it was the $20 pot of quarters I threw in for fun 
Anyway, there are no records saying that a deck of cards made it across on the Mayflower, but even if not it would have only been a matter of time before playing cards arrived in New England. They were cheap, highly portable, and a widely popular pastime among all the classes throughout Europe.
A reproduction 1567 French deck – a design likely still in use by 1620/21 – can be purchased through Macgregor Historic Games and Celtic Art for about $8 including shipping.
Instructions for the game of Mawe, along with other card and board games are found in our historical Thanksgiving guide.
Tags: activities for thanksgiving, ideas thanksgiving, things to do for thanksgiving, family thanksgiving ideas, thanksgiving for family, family thanksgiving games, activities for kids thanksgiving
Playing cards in this time period were hand painted, non-mirrored (you had to hold them upright), and blank on the backsides
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Use Old English Insults, Phrases and Threats
Last modified on 2009-09-13 12:57:41 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
What made for the most fun for our family last year during Thanksgiving, was our feeble efforts at trying to speak archaic, lower class English (slang). We made each other laugh just trying!
Really, I have to admit the inspiration came mostly from reading period cookbooks. In that time period they spelled everything by phonics, so you get a pretty good idea of how they really talked. I added this with the King James Bible style of English, and with a wonderful book called The Pirate Primer.
For the most part, The Pirate Primer is not historically authentic, but you can use it to mix and match with the other historical sources, and thereby come up with some great slang possibilities.
We came up with this initial list last year. Undoubtedly it could be improved for authenticity, but until then it is fair game at our house Kids young and old thought this was the bomb!
• aye = yes
• aye? = right?
• nay = no
• I’ee be loookin’ arrt fer ya = I am looking out for you (helping newbs learn the game)
• be righeet wahlcum = be right welcome (make yourself welcome here)
• g’-looohk t’ thee /ya = good luck to you
• I’ee’ull wayee-jarr a han-soohm ven-char = I’ll wager a handsome venture
• I’ee be yer hoohm-ble sarrvint = I am your humble servant
• the lot or ya bayee chaiters! = all of you are cheaters!
• thou doos’ chaite! = you do cheat!
• I’ee’ull breng me boot ter ya! = I’ll bring my boot to you! (I’ll kick you)
• blayss yer roosty ahrrt! = bless your rusty heart!
• remoof yar car-cahss! = remove your carcass! (get out of here)
• I’ee’ull sayee thee blayed! = I’ll see you bleed!
• whech bayee warse? = which is worse? (when deciding one’s cards)
• yer myeen’s oohn-henged = your mind is unhinged (you are crazy)
• hoold yher toongue = hold your tongue
• an’ bae doohn witt ett = and be done with it (hurry up)
• ‘eave a-hayd = heave ahead (press forward, or hurry up)
• sharr ‘n sarten arr ye? = sure and certain are you?
Get more historical Ideas Thanksgiving for family fun in
The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, Second Edition, $7.99.
Tags: ideas thanksgiving, family thanksgiving ideas, thanksgiving for family, family thanksgiving games, kids thanksgiving ideas, activities for kids thanksgiving, old fashioned english
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Stomping Grapes
Last modified on 2009-09-16 22:25:11 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
European explorers wrote of the bounty and good taste of New England grapes. There is reason to believe, however, that they weren’t so much prized for making wine, as for making verjuice, a type of sour juice used in cooking (much like lemon juice is used today).
Stomping grapes is period authentic, and half the fun is conquoring your guests’ foot-germ phobias. We use an eco-friendly disinfectant, anti-bacterial, and fungicide (all in one) to wash the stomper’s feet first. Using one’s hands to eat without washing is more dangerous than drinking the juice stomped by feet washed in this stuff!
Complete instructions for making verjuice, and for stomping grapes are found in our historical Thanksgiving guide.
Tags: activities for thanksgiving, ideas thanksgiving, family thanksgiving ideas, thanksgiving for family, activities for kids thanksgiving, things to do for thanksgiving
Stomping grapes, fall 2008
Stomping grapes for the first time, fall 2007. The heater was because I forgot to take the grapes out of the refrigerator the night before stomping. Ouch!
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Play Community Stool-ball
Last modified on 2009-09-16 22:28:28 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Something that is really fun and historically authentic to Thanksgiving is the game of Stool-ball. Stool-ball is the predecessor to both baseball and cricket, and it is a great family or community sport for fall.
According to primary source document Of Plimoth Plantation, the English played stool-ball in the “street” of Plymouth on Christmas day 1621. (Brrrr! That had to be cold!) The infamous feast had preceded this by just a couple months, in either September or October.
I am using Craigslist this year to find like-minded families in my area who would like to picnic and play stool-ball during the month of October. Very easy. You just need a large grassy field to play. (You can play on a baseball diamond, but I think that takes away from the heirloom feel.)
Complete instructions for making the needed equipment, along with the rules of play, are in The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, Second Edition.
Note: You can get scrap leather for making your wool-stuffed leather ball on eBay for cheap. You’ll need just under a square foot. You’ll also need an awl and sinew, or faux sinew for stitching the ball. (Real sinew preparation instructions are found in the Historical Thanksgiving guide.)
It’s even more fun to play the game when the ladies are wearing period clothes… Hike it up ladies! You can do it!
Tags: ideas thanksgiving, family thanksgiving games, sports thanksgiving, activities for kids thanksgiving
Stool-ball components
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Form a 1621 Time Travelers Fellowship
Last modified on 2009-12-10 02:58:00 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Group roasting rabbit, fall 2008
Something very fun to do is 1621 Time Traveling as a community. Just like with other types of reenacting, you spend time with friends throughout the year making costumes together, planning and hosting events, creating props, practicing period languages, and laughing ’til your sides split!
Church groups, business groups, school organizations, and homeschool networks all enjoy this year-round hobby. For more information, activity ideas, and general how-to instructions visit our squidoo lens http://squidoo.com/1621TimeTravelers.
Here are some handy resources to make start-up easy:
#1 Free Group Start-up Guide online (by LetsPlayHistory.org)
#2 1621 Time Travelers Group Charter pdf (to download right click, save as)
#3 1621 Time Travelers tri-fold Brochure pdf (to download right click, save as)
#4 1621 Time Travelers Sign Up Sheet pdf (to download right click, save as)
Also keep in mind that we are here to answer questions and help start-up groups across America get the ball rolling. We can provide startup webinars, teleseminars, and in-person presentations.
1621 Time Traveling in groups is tons of fun for everyone!
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Tags: family for fun, fun for whole family, activities for kids thanksgiving, family thanksgiving games, children activities thanksgiving, old fashioned english, things to do for thanksgiving, thanksgiving best, american living history, history for thanksgiving, make long bow, sports thanksgiving, ideas thanksgiving, native indian games
Posted August 31, 2009 by Admin
