Don’t Let History Get STEAMrolled

Don’t Let History Get
STEAMrolled
Finding creative ways to engage our youth in history.
Boston History Camp Panel Discussion
www.historycamp.org
Boston, MA March 28, 2015

American Heritage Living
History Productions
www.AmericanHeritageLivingHistoryProductions.com
Kyle Jenks
216 509 7502
jaktar773@aol.com
www.linkedin.com/kyle-jenks/32/507/542

American Heritage Living History Productions
Program Listings-started in 2005
• The American Revolution:
America’s first Civil War.
• Crafting 18th Century
Articles: (Separate presentation or
add to any other option for a significant
savings)
• See next slide

Program Listings-started in 2005
1. A wax sealed letter
written with quill pen
and ink.
2. A simulated black
powder cartridge.
3. Button sewing
4. Making an officer's
gorget.

Program Listings
• Patriot vs. Loyalist perspectives
• Country vs. Urban Lifestyles
• The American Revolution: Conservative or
Radical Movement?
• Flags of the American Revolution
• Military campaigns
• Medicine / Disease / Sickness
• Daily Living / Civics /Politics / Material
Culture
• Religion

What I would be thrilled to see at the end of this
session is formation of alliances that take action on
mutual interests.
• By the end of this presentation
you will discover THREE
• CALL TO ACTIONS that I am
passionate about.
• I am seeking people to help me.
• I am willing to work with you on
your projects too.

THE ACADEMIC SIDE
gives us a studied base to rely on…..
• “Process Drama”-Role Playing
in the Classroom
• NYU Steinhardt School
• Prof. Philip Taylor
• Investigate Ursuline College in Ohio
• Dr. Bari Stith
• High School alternatives

“From classical antiquity to the present,
education and theatre have shared
common goals and uses. The Program in
Educational Theatre at New York
University's Steinhardt School of Culture,
Education, and Human Development
consciously brings the two fields together
– in the classroom, workshop, studio, and
on the stage. Here, we develop new
strategies in teaching and learning
through drama.”
What is Educational Theatre at NYU?

THE ACADEMIC SIDE
• “…venture beyond your history textbook and
provide students with opportunities to
experience history firsthand. Using
applied history, bring to life the people, places,
and events of our nation's history, inspiring in
your students a passion for the past.
• Students embark on what Percoco calls
"academic adventures." Taking advantage of the
many resources in their surrounding community
and beyond, students travel to historic sites and
exhibits, examine archives and other primary
source documents, analyze movies and
documentaries, conduct interviews, create
sculptures, and more.”

Millennials-Age 18-34
• I am a baby boomer. In order
for me to relate to history
from a contemporary
standpoint, I must be willing
yield to what works in today’s
society.
http://fusion.net/story/47184/f
usion-massive-millennial-poll-
results/

Contemporary Example #1:
“At Liberty Hall”-a Play by James Christy Oct. 2014
http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2014/09/
premiere_stages_at_kean_univer_11.html
“At Liberty Hall follows two high school
students who've just moved to New Jersey:
Cristian Rosario, a funny but unfocused
teenager from Queens by way of the
Dominican Republic; and Alexander
Hamilton, 16, the subject of Cristian's 10th
grade history project. This time-bending
story finds common threads of humor, honor
and awkwardness as told through the
experiences of a someday-Founding Father
and a kid looking for a way out of the
projects.”

“At Liberty Hall”- a Play by James Christy Oct. 2014
www.kean.edu/premierestages
Alexander Hamilton on the
left.
Christian Rosario on the
right.

“At Liberty Hall”- a Play by James Christy Oct. 2014
• The I performance I watched
was a matinee attended by
middle school children who
were bused in. These folks on
stage answered questions at
the end of the show. The kids
were captivated!

“Rapping a Revolution”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/theater
/lin-manuel-miranda-and-others-from-
hamilton-
talkhistory.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150205&nlid
=68529031&tntemail0=y

February 6, 2015
Additions made March 17, 2015
“The Baby Boomer view vs. the
Millennial view”
PERSONAL COMMENTS ON THE PLAY:
HAMILTON currently playing at Public Theater in NYC through May 3, 2015.
These comments are based solely on the content of the NY
Times article: “Rapping a Revolution” Feb. 5th, 2015.
Although I love to be a purist, pragmatism wins out on this creation. It’s a
classic case of: “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

To be honest, I am not a fan of hip hop music. From the article: “A meeting of old and new, Colonial and millennial, is
the quintessence of “Hamilton,” in which Mr. Miranda — who wrote the book, lyrics and music, and stars in the title
role — uses a hip-hop, R&B and pop score to retell America’s founding story.” This play is not just for my eyes. This is
art and history combined together which widens its appeal. It is presented by a younger generation than mine for a
younger generation of people that find value in this kind of communication. Just yesterday [March 16th] I met a young
lady of the millennial generation who offered telling comments. She was fascinated by my description of this play. Her
comment first was that she felt her communications by various social media outlets was getting to be monotonous. She
said the subject matters revolved around, fashion, celebrity news or negative press in current events. Second, she
offered that this play interested her. When “shopping” for entertainment she looks for subjects that she can personally
relate to. This I think is an almost universal reason why a particular entertainment event achieves large scale success. I
found this refreshing and hopeful insight into what our young adults are looking for out of life.
If the content is historically accurate [right now I can’t afford the $120 ticket price to judge it for myself!] that is one of
two crucial reasons I would support this work. The second, as I eluded to, is that it is presenting history in a method
familiar and appealing to the performer’s contemporaries. As a First Person Interpreter of two 18th century characters,
I still choose to be pragmatic and open minded regarding this stage play. Again, perhaps this play is not designed to
appeal to the baby boomer generation necessarily. Its power lies in appealing to the audience represented through
popular culture in today’s world.

SHAKESPEARE:
As another analogy, I dare say Shakespeare is never challenged when people of different races or genders depict his
characters.
As an aside, I find it fascinating that this play comes on the heels of another new play about Alexander Hamilton
called “All Things Liberty” by James Christy which debuted to school children bused onto the Kean University
Campus in Union, NJ this past October. See:
http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2014/09/premiere_stages_at_kean_univer_11.html
It is also relevant for a younger audience. “All Things Liberty” hits home because it brings universal human
experiences and makes them relatable to the current generation. By succeeding in doing that we have a better chance
to keep the appreciation of our hard won creation called the United States of America alive.
LAST OF THE MOHICANS:
Indulge me a bit of elaboration please. Do we get value from the fact that Last of the Mohicans has fostered an
enduring impact on the public’s fascination with its history even though it is not a completely non-fiction story? I
would argue yes. It has helped perpetuate an interest in history.
A crucial kudo to “Hamilton” would be if they get the history right. It just may seem out of context to an audience not
used to rap or hip hop music.

THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS BILL OF RIGHTS.
……which is another analogy I’d like to make: The way the Constitution was written to be a “living,
breathing” document. The founders were wise. They saw into the future and predicted evolution in
society. A strict document would paralyze society and eventually doom this then experiment in
Republican government delivered on a large scale. James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution”
doggedly researched all previous forms of Republican government through time and concluded that
they all sprung from small, city state environments and all eventually failed. In 1787 a group of 55
men gathered in the same place our Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlier. They
were now attempting to organize this bold statement it took eight years of war to forge and unite it
into a large and varied amalgam of states that became the largest successful republic ever devised. It
still stands today….227 years later and I believe our millennials still want to protect it.
Kyle Jenks

"
http://www.publictheater.org/hamilton/
No tickets available!!-Jan-May 3, 2015 Performances were already
extended to May 3rd. They are getting a phenomenal response and
are predicted to go to Broadway!

School Channel Reality Show
• A take off on PBS shows
such as:
• Manor House
• Frontier House
• Colonial House

School Televised
History Jeopardy competition
• I have a bunch of
Jeopardy questions saved
up if you would like to
contact me to help you
put one together that has
an American Revolution
theme.

History Stories
Liberty’s Kids- DVD
series

History Stories: Comics and
Graphic Novels
http://colonialcomics.tumblr.com/

Write a Story
A Graphic Novel using
Photoshop

History Stories: “Arguing Comics”
• The Historical Society of Rockland County
Invites You to Join Us for
• "How Cartoonists Responded
to 9/11," A Golden Anniversary
Lecture by Kent Worcester
When: Thursday, April 23, 2015; 7:15 sharp
Where: HSRC, 20 Zukor Road, New City,
NY
Admission: $FREE (reservations required)
• Reserve tickets by sending an email to
info@rocklandhistory.org or
calling (845) 634-9629.

History Stories: “Arguing Comics”
• Kent Worcester is a professor of
political science at Marymount Manhattan
College, where he teaches courses on
democratic theory, modern political theory,
contemporary war, and the politics of
popular culture. He is the author or coeditor
of six books including, most recently,
"Arguing Comics: Literary Masters on a
Popular Medium" and "A Comics Studies
Reader." For several years, he gave talks on
New York City and comic books for the
New York Council for the Humanities'
Speakers in the Humanities program.

Write a Story
• Document your experiences
• Example: Your Diary
• Write it in quill pen and ink
by candlelight.
• Self Publish a Graphic
Novel or Comic

My story started with the very first
reenactment I attended in 2003.
“After talking with those men, that very
moment like a shot out of nowhere, a
revelation hit me. I said to myself: “I could do
this if I wanted to!” I still find it hard to
describe exactly what attracted me so strongly
to this hobby at that instant. I attribute it to
the fact that as a kid I inherently liked to role-
play especially around military times such as
the Civil War and WW II. I used to watch
Combat on TV and my hero was the boy with
the dog Rin Tin Tin. I never delved into the
history of the wars bur I always liked to
imagine myself as a soldier……..” KJ

Colonial Story Cubes
• Use existing product called
Story Cubes-I brought them
to try today if you like.
• Or make your own…..
• Purchase these items at a craft
store
• Wooden cubes
• Wood burner

An idea on how to use Colonial Story Cubes
• Make it a group lesson. It is a fine way to utilize
intellect and creativity, requiring both sides of
the brain to function optimally.
• Whoever begins the story, sets the tone for its
theme.
• Each successive roll of the dice is done by the
next person in the group.
• They must build on the same story line
established by the first person.
• Successive games begin with a different person
to establish differing themes.

Make a Facebook Page, write a blog, create
a wikiHow article…..OR
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Google +
• wikiHow

Great event listing sites
http://www.thehistorylist.com/
• Lee Wright
http://www.smoke-
fire.com/smoke-fire-
newspaper.asp

Great blogs
http://boston1775.blogspot.com/
• By J.L. Bell
•Boston 1775
• History, analysis, and
unabashed gossip about the
start of the American Revolution
in Massachusetts.

Great blogs
http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/
• by Liz Covart
www.newyorkhistoryblog.org
• Editor: John Warren

Great blogs and web sites
http://allthingsliberty.com/
Notice the relevance to
21st century life.
Commentary on a television
series dealing with the
American Revolution.

http://raglinen.com/
Notice the relevance to
21st century life.
Commentary on a modern
aspect of
American Revolution.

http://www.historytube.org/

http://historynewsnetwork.org/

http://gratefulamericanfoundation.com/

USE www.hstry.co
• www.hstry.co
• "Create interactive timelines
that remind you of a FB set-up"
• It’s free to sign up.
• CEO Thomas Ketchall
• See article at:
www.edtechtimes.com

Museum Trek
• “Create a memorable experience
for your visitors with MuseumTrek,
the mobile game of location based
clues that players solve while they
Trek around your museum.”
• http://www.museumtrek.com/con
tactinfo.php
• President: Tim Cook

CALL TO ACTION #1:
Establish Living Historian’s Clubs
• One’s that I know exist:
• Montgomery Township HS, NJ-
”Living Historians Club”
• Held twice a year at Rockingham
Association Kingston, NJ-
Washington’s Last Military
Headquarters
• Guilderland High School,
Guilderland, NY [Albany area]-did a
FP project

• Bureau Valley CUSD
• Manlius, Illinois
• Heights
• Oakland, NJ
• Manito
• Oakland, NJ
• How about developing an exchange
program between the groups?

Establish Living Historian’s Clubs cont.
• WHERE DO YOU FIND THE KIDS?
• Schools
• Public, Private
• Rudolph Steiner Schools
• Waldorf Technique
• Magnet, Charter
• Homeschoolers
• Academies
• National Blue Ribbon Schools

• WHERE DO YOU
FIND THESE KIDS?
• Reenactments
• Encampments
• Rendevous’
• Community Events

Take them to a re-enactment or
encampment

Create your own Reenactment
• Watch this awesome
DVD.
• Plan, write and act
out your own
reenactment.

Finding the kids cont.
• At the History Bee/History
Bowl
www.historybowl.com
• At the National History
Day competitions
www.nationalhistoryday.org

http://www.nationalhistoryclub.org/

The History Bowl
Mid Atlantic Regional
• I attended the Mid Atlantic
Regionals at Princeton
University on Sat. March 21,
2015, volunteering as a question
reader.
http://www.historybowl.com/
• This and the following 2 photos
were taken in the Frist Building
Room 302. This is where Albert
Einstein used to teach!

The History Bowl
Hundreds of kids and
growing into an
international competition.

The History Bowl
Quarter final round

• Boy Scout International
Exchange Program
• Canada: SCOPE-Toronto area
• United States: Olympia
http://www.sbfg.ca/
• Scout Brigade of Fort George

• Boy Scout Domestic
Exchange Program
• Mohawk Valley/Schenectady Council-
gathering in Fort Plain, NY May 1-3, 2015
• Cradle of Liberty Council in Valley Forge,
PA
• Northern NJ Council-Offices in Oakland, NJ

• Boy Scout
• Eagle Project Suggested
Topics
•First Person
Interpretation
•Historical Drama
•Graphic Novel

cont.
• WHERE DO YOU FIND
THESE KIDS?
• Summer Camps-Workshops
• Helderberg Workshop, Albany, NY
• Did crafts from our AHLHP program
listing
• 1) A wax sealed letter written with quill pen
and ink.
• 2) A simulated black powder cartridge.
• 3) Button sewing
• 4) Making an officer's gorget.

Establish Living Historians Club cont.
• WHERE DO YOU FIND THESE
KIDS?
• Association of Public Historians
• State Historian’s office
• Community Historian’s office
• Museum conferences
• ALHFAM
• NAI
• CAR

cont.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
• Staged Readings
• Graveyard Tours
• Dinner Theatre
• Make them all fundraisers
for the Living Historian’s Club

cont.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
• Docents at historic sites
• Perform a play
• [BBA play at Dorset, VT Playhouse]
• Rent wars
• Pullman Porters
• Perform a role play
• Alternate history
• Both sides of the story

Encourage the club members to develop
First Person Personas
• Book: Past into Present: Effective
Techniques for First Person Historical
Interpretation
• By Stacy F. Roth
• Go to Appendix 2: The Ultimate
Character Development List
• Interpreting Our Heritage
• by Freeman Tilden
• Telling History
• By Joyce M. Thierer

First Person Interpretation
in grand style
• Here’s a very sensory rich
application of the use of First
Person Interpretation.
• General George Washington
reviewing the troops. This
re-creation was in Fort Plain, NY
on Aug. 1-3, 2008.
• Gen’l Washington actually toured
the Mohawk Valley in 1783 after the
war was officially over.

This is the dragoon unit that accompanied
General Washington into town.
• They are called Sheldon’s Horse
Second Continental Light Dragoons.
They are still a semi-commissioned
military unit called out by the Governor
of Connecticut.
• They were Washington’s
official “life guard” unit.
• Dean Malissa as Washington rode into
town on horseback with them up to the
site at the Fort Plain Museum.

Reception Friday night
Meet the General
• This weekend long event
began with a reception
Friday night.
• On Sunday there was a
dinner. Dean Malissa is
shown here with a guest at
the Friday night reception.

First Person Interpretation in grand style
• On Saturday “His
Excellency” greeted the
public in character under
his marquee shown here.
• In the afternoon there was a
formal review of troops as
shown on slide 60.

A powerful emotional impact took place…..
“I remember being paralyzed with awe as I
was given permission to have the ultimate
experience: Stand aside and be a "fly on the
wall" so to speak and observe this man work
his magic. “His Excellency” received the
public at this event under the marquee
pictured on slide 63. The way the public
responded to him is a testament to the
incomparable magnetic attraction he
displayed. And the thing of it is, it is George
Washington's magnetic and magnanimous
personality that the people responded to.” KJ

I have never forgotten that day…..
• “Not to take anything away from Dean. He is
magnetic and magnanimous too, but the public
was actually mesmerized and tongue tied in his
presence. They [and I] thought we were in the
presence of the commander in chief of the
Continental Army!
• It was one of the most powerful emotional
experiences I have ever had. Right then and
there I said to myself, "I am going to do this as
well as Dean Malissa someday .".... [but as
someone shorter.]
• All the reenactors attending this commemoration
received one of these medals. I have saved it for
7 years, always on display at my desk.”

Create a Chautauqua
Another Grand First Person opportunity
Ref: Wikipedia
Chautauqua (/ʃəˈtɔːkwə/ shə-TAW-
kwə) describes an adult education
movement in the United States,
highly popular in the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries. Named
after Chautauqua Lake in western
New York where the first was held,
Chautauqua assemblies expanded
and spread throughout rural America
until the mid-1920s.

Chautauqua cont.
• A Chautauqua Assembly brought
entertainment and culture for the
whole community, with speakers,
teachers, musicians, entertainers,
preachers and specialists of the
day.[1] Former US President
Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as
saying that Chautauqua is "the
most American thing in America".

Chautauqua cont.
You might say it was
America’s first form
of info-tainment!

Another unforgettable personal experience
• I witnessed my only Chautauqua
way back in 1986 in South Dakota.
• I was on a cross country bicycle trip
and we ran across it purely by
chance.
• On stage were First Person
Interpreters from the Lewis and
Clark expedition and it captivated
me instantly.

Another unforgettable personal experience cont.
The Chautauqua Institute’s Amphitheater
Again, I never forgot it. It’s a memory
that was has always been a permanent
inspiration for me. And remember,
that was a time that the history bug
had not yet bitten. That didn’t come
until 17 years later in 2003. I believe
this latent memory has always been
there to serve as part of my mid life
re-invention of self.

The Chautauqua Institute’s Grounds
• Since then, I have traveled to the seat
of it’s birth in Chautauqua, NY and
have been drawn to its magical
magnetism.
• Founded as a United Methodist
Sunday School camp in 1874,
Chautauqua has grown to become a
home to among many things,
professional theater and opera
companies, a symphony orchestra, and
the oldest running day camp in the
country.
•

My Development of a First Person Persona
• I started chronicling my
experiences as a reenactor in
2003 which turned into a story.
• I began the hobby in my native
upstate New York which lent
itself to learning about the
French and Indian War and
American Revolution time
periods.

• I found and bought Past into
Present: Effective Techniques for
First Person Historical
Interpretation
• By Stacy F. Roth
• I went straight to Appendix 2:
The Ultimate Character
Development List and started
filling in the blanks.

• I started blending my
chronicles in “Musings”
with the Appendix in Stacy
Roth’s book.
• I started reading books of
real life people I thought I
might like to portray.

I came up instead with a personal example
of a First Person Interpretation
My persona resulted in a historically inspired character
named Douglas McKenna. It was developed based on
being born in 1732 in Schenectady, NY. I told the story
of growing up in what was then known as the
Western Frontier.
I delved into his dealings with the varied and diverse
cultures present in upstate New York including the
English, Dutch, French, Scottish, Irish, Palatine
Germans and the five nations of the Iroquois
Confederacy. My journey into manhood was through
participation in the French and Indian War as a Roger's
Ranger and then deciding to join the patriot cause
during the American Revolution.

Evolution of Douglas McKenna
What I really enjoyed next was bringing the civilian
aspect into Douglas’ life.
The reenactment hobby although not limited to the
military approach is most commonly battle
reenactment oriented.
I continued to participate in that aspect which I
thoroughly enjoy but I also sought out community
history site projects that brought a more complete
picture to Douglas’ life.
This is a sample of an interpretation I did at the
Schuyler Mansion in Albany, NY.

Evolution of Douglas McKenna cont.
One of the best examples of my evolving awareness
of the time period was a move to a neighboring state.
Since New Jersey, commonly known as either the
Cockpit of the Revolution or the Crossroads of the
American Revolution, is so rich in that time period’s
history, it allowed Douglas to have reason to end up
in many more different places.
Proof of the increased complexity of character
development was a presentation I was hired to do at
Valley Forge National Historical Park for a large,
annual Boy Scout pilgrimage.

I assembled a team of first person interpreters to
approach the story from the perspective of soldiers
traveling to Valley Forge at different times
throughout the winter of 1777/78 and spring of 1778
from the northern campaign in Saratoga, NY.
It allowed me to present this “global” perspective to
the war as well as highlight three historical figures
that not only have less renown, but are of minority
status. They are Salem Poor of Bunker Hill fame,
Honyerry Doxtader, an Oneida Indian from the
Iroquois Confederacy and Polly Cooper, also of the
Oneidas.

Douglas continues to travel around and meet many more
people as he ages and gets involved in things that men
did back then, like own property, invest and get into
politics.
This is when I decided the time was ripe to take on a
historical figure that really lived.
James Madison, our fourth President has been in the
back of mind since 2007 but I didn’t feel I could do a
man of such great renown justice.
When opportunity finally knocked, I was ready. Now I
am studying for a first official presentation as Mr.
Madison for Constitution Day this year on Sept. 17, 2015.

A Douglas McKenna performance example

• This is my stage for the
performance I did at the West
Point Museum, West Point,
NY.
• The client was the West Point
Chapter of the Company of
Military Historians.

• The stage consisted of the table and chair you see center stage. Table had period appropriate props
appropriate for a desk.
• There is a fireplace at stage left. Here I piled real wood logs with a cast iron pot set on the
imaginary fire. I had real food [pre-warmed] in the pot [canned beef stew.] The pot was lined with
a plastic container.
• I had bottles of grape juice mixed with wine and apple juice mixed with hard cider to drink along
with the proper drinking glasses, tankards, bowls plates and utensils.
• In the very center of the audience, [very hard to see] is a “cage” made of wire that protected a
halogen work light that sat inside.
• The work light was tilted up ever so slightly and the light was shown through a piece of parchment
yellow tissue paper to give the stage a candle lit appearance once the house lights dimmed.

• When the house lights dimmed I had various flickering lanterns and battery candles
stationed to augment the incandescent spotlight. I had all the other period props
necessary for my performance.
• I had pre-planned for an audience member to be part of the show.
• He sat in the front row with a small table next to his chair.
• He was someone I could talk to and serve food and drink to while I was telling my
story.
• This particular presentation revolved around the story I received in a letter from my
wife Sarah who was in Philadelphia in 1787 when the Constitutional Convention has
just adjourned.

CALL TO ACTION #2:
Help me organize a
First Person Interpretation Symposium
• Held at a Physical location
• How to do it…..
• … or a Virtual Location
• Series of Podcasts
• SKYPE
• Webinar
• WikiHOW-Article
• HSTRY.COM timeline format
• First Person Blog or FB page

Introduce kids to Professional
Actor/Interpreters at the Symposium
www.ahtheatre.org
Dean Malissa on Right as George Washington
courtesy of AHT.
Let them feel the power that
this presentation style is
capable of.

www.leagueofmostinterestinggentlemen.com
• Left to right:
• Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the
Treasury,
• President James Monroe,
• President Thomas Jefferson,
• Count Rumford and seated: Dr.
Benjamin Franklin.
• Not pictured: President James
Madison

• Stacy Roth at
Monmouth State
Battlefield site
• Monmouth, NJ
It took me 7 years to track down
Stacy Roth, but I finally met her
and saw a pro in action.
Molly Pitcher-Battle of
Monmouth June 28, 1778

John Andre and
Benedict Arnold Douglas McKenna
and friend
Interpreters from Genesee Valley
Country Village and Museum

California
Gold Rush
Victorian
Mount Vernon

Not sure about
this one!
ca. 1860’s?
Benjamin
Franklin

SUSAN MCKINNEY
STEWARD
First female African-American
doctor in New York State
SUSAN B. ANTHONY
Napoleon of the women's
suffrage movement, mother of
the 19th Amendment,
abolitionistSojourner Truth

18th Century Tradesman
Benjamin Franklin

CALL TO ACTION #3
Re-enact a historical event
Example: The 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent
• Feb. 16, 1815
• Place: Octagon House in
Washington, DC.
• Troops guard and wait to
ceremoniously welcome the
Treaty arriving from its
ratification by the Senate only
several blocks down the street.

The 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent
• Recreation of the route
taken by the Treaty from
the Senate to the
Octagon House.
• Actually it was so cold they
cancelled it but three hearty
souls make the trek anyway.

Delivering the chest to President
James Madison that contained the
Treaty as it traveled from Ghent,
Belgium the year before.
That is the actual chest that the
Treaty traveled in.

• President and Mrs. Madison looking
over the Treaty before signing.
• This was the original table used by
President Madison to sign the Treaty at
the actual place. Octagon House was
the First Couple’s temporary residence
at the time.
• The President’s Mansion had been
burned by the British on August 24th
of the previous year, 1814.

• It’s official.
• Congratulations are
in order!

CALL TO ACTION #3:
Help me Re-enact this historical event
1754 Albany
Congress
Ben Franklin Comes to
New York with:
“Hints toward a Scheme…”

1754 Albany Congress
Ben Franklin Comes to New York with:
“Hints toward a Scheme…”
“2014 was the 260th anniversary of
this month long convention that
resulted in the Albany Plan of
Union, the precursor to our
American Constitution. There are
many aspects to this seminal event
that I believe are extremely
compelling but not commonly
known.” KJ
ASSIDUITY: constant or close application or
effort; diligence; industry.

Introduce kids to Professional Storytellers
• http://www.lauracrockett.com/
Laura_Crockett/Welcome.html
• http://www.magicwords101.com/
• Denise McCormack

http://www.storycircleatproctors.org/
www.facebook.com/partnersforalbany
stories

• Rick Salazar typically tells
the Native American,
[sometimes referred to as
First Peoples] rendition of
their creation evenings
around a campfire.

Write and perform a historical
play or movie

Write and perform a historical play or movie

Unimagined Discovery
• I bought this book thinking it was a
history book. I didn’t read it though.
• I cracked it open several year’s later.
It’s not about history really, it’s about
this author’s story of discovery with his
social studies middle school students.
• I proceeded to create our play with the
admittedly unimaginative title:
Colonial Life in the Mohawk Valley.

Our Play: Colonial Life in the Mohawk Valley
Recommended for 7th-8th graders
• “250 years ago, English, French, Indians and
Colonists contested control of upstate New York.
Colonial life in the Mohawk Valley will be
performed in your auditorium, using your
students as impromptu actors.
• This 9 scene play is prearranged with your
teachers and is played out ON THE SPOT in a
LIVE 90-100 minute performance. AHLHP
provides all the clothing, accouterments, cue
cards, set decoration and stage direction for this
unprecedented style of performance.
• Presentations involve each and every student.”

• Scenes titles are:
• 1) Introduction,
• 2) People of the Longhouse,
• 3) Home Life on the Frontier,
• 4) The Alarm has Sounded,
• 5) The Stockade at Fort Hunter,
• 6) The Scouting Party,
• 7) The 1754 Albany Congress,
• 8) 1756: An Indian Celebration at Fort Johnson
• 9) Conclusion and Thank you ceremony.

• The School liked it so
much they invited us
back the following year.
• If it wasn’t for a move
out of state, it could
have become a tradition.

Here’s what the teacher’s said:
• From Cobleskill/Richmondville, NY Central School District Dec. 2006
• "The presentation by Mr. Kyle Jenks on the French and Indian War was remarkable.
First, Mr. Jenks covered a great deal of information in an engaging manner. His
program tied in directly to the material covered in both the ELA and social studies
classes from our school.
• Second, all students had opportunities to participate. That direct involvement
increased their appreciation for the material covered. We would highly recommend
this presentation to other Middle Schools."
• Sincerely,
CRCS 7th Grade Teachers:
Christopher Baron, Chad Blakesley, Peggy Blohm, Amy Thompson, Noel Payton

Here’s what the kid’s said:
Excerpts of some of the 24 separate student testimonials we received from the
Cobleskill/Richmondville French and Indian War presentation:
•
"Thank you very much for inviting both 7 and split to see that wonderful
presentation...I was in the part of the Albany Congress, and it really felt like I was
there watching it all happen. Overall the presentation was fascinating and I really
enjoyed it." MH
•
"...it was great. The part that I played was People of the Longhouse-it was cool to be
a clan mother of the Onondaga Nation. The way that you helped us learn about it
was cool because we got to help. Thank (you) again, it was great." KH

• "...I was captain of the French partisans and I felt like I was there it was so
real. I think the whole school could have been there." JO
•
"...The part that I played was a Frenchman. It was neat to help out in an
assembly. I learned what a Sachem was. It was great to be in an actual
reenactment." RM
• "...we enjoyed it very much. I was part of the Albany Plan of Union Council.
I really felt like I was a part of it a long time ago. It was very exciting. This
presentation was a great, fun way to learn about the French and Indian War.
It was very fun." CM

• "...The part that I played was in a French raiding party, and I enjoyed weaving
throughout the chairs like they were bushes and trees. I really enjoyed the play, and I
think it would be fun to be in another recreation. I hope we can do this again
sometime in the future." HM
• "...I was part of the French raiding party. What I liked best was when the French
tried to attack the base and the British drove us back." HS
•
"...It was very fun being Benjamin Franklin. We all enjoyed it very much. It was very
informative. I learned that it was very hard living in colonial life." DF

• "...We are going to have oodles of fun." CB
•
"Your play is going to be awesome. We studied (the) French and
Indian War and I loved it. It was pretty interesting." DB
•
"I thank you for the honor of allowing the split 6-7 team to the
presentation. The part I played was the People of the Longhouse and
I was the Mohawk Sachem. Your efforts were astounding." ML

I created something
that already existed.
• I said, I think we got something here!
Much later, after our two years of this
production played, I realized what I
created already had official names.
• Process Drama, Educational Drama or
Applied Theater and I loved it. This
book [same author] was written 5 years
after Redcoats and Patriots in 2003.

What will be your “Corps of Discovery?”
• Sometimes you don’t have
to create something new.
You just have to add your
unique contribution to a
concept you believe in. By
doing so you will
strengthen it, evolve it and
get more people interested.

My next evolution was to learn about a theatrical
genre called Outdoor Historical Drama
• Get help from:
www.outdoor-theatre.org/
• “Outdoor Historical Drama has
the magical power to imbue the
visitor with a sense of
pilgrimage to another time and
place where actual events took
place.” KJ

Here are some existing
Outdoor Historical Dramas

Our Outdoor Historical Drama:
Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama
Gelston Castle Estate
980 Robinson Road
Mohawk, NY
www.datmod.com
www.facebook.com/drums
alongthemohawk

• Kidscan participate in roles pertaining to:
• Cast
• Crew
• Production Team
• Set Design
• Wardrobe
• Props
• Support Staff
• Opening Acts-Living History Presentation
• Educational Project or Information Booth

Scenes from: Drums Along the Mohawk
Outdoor Drama

Sat. Aug. 1, 2015 5 pm
Sun. Aug. 2, 2015 5 pm
Sat. Aug. 8, 2015 5 pm
Sun. Aug. 9, 2015 5 pm

Organize a bus tour –field trip

Our Overnight, Guided Bus Tour goes to:
• In 2014 our itinerary took
our guests from the
Historical Society of
Rockland County [NY]
and others to 12 locations
that directly applied to
the people, places and
events in the show.

Our Overnight, Guided Bus Tour
• Itinerary:
http://www.rocklandhistory.org
/page.cfm?page=367
• Video testimonial on
www.facebook.com/drumsalong
themohawk
• Also listed on:
www.thehistorylist.com

Revolutionary War Conference
May 1-3, 2015 Fort Plain, NY
• The Mohawk Valley played a key role in the struggle
for American Independence. Join us at the Fort Plain
Museum and discover the area’s rich history.
• Six Great Author - Historians! Six Great
Revolutionary Stories!
• Saturday May 2, 2015
• For More Information Contact Brian Mack at
518-774-5669 or E-mail us at
fortplainmuseum@yahoo.com
• Exit 29 off the NYS Thruway
• Friday night reception and Sunday bus tour
• Todd Braisted - "A hellish plan to go over to the
enemy" The Revolutionary War Adventures of
Lieutenant Edward McMichael
• Don Hagist - The Revolution's Last Men, the
Soldiers Behind the Photographs
• Jack Kelly - Band of Giants, the Amateur Soldiers
Who Won America's Independence
• James Kirby Martin - Forgotten Allies, the Oneida
Indians and the American Revolution
• Bruce Venter - Col. John Brown and the Battle of
Diamond Island on Lake George
• Glenn Williams - The Year of the Hangman,
George Washington's Campaign Against the Iroquois

Revolutionary War Conference
May 1-3, 2015 Fort Plain, NY
• Registration Fee (s): $40 per person (space is
limited, early registration is suggested!) Fee includes:
Cocktail Reception – Meet & Greet featuring a
presentation, “Discovering Fort Plain” by Norman
Bollen. Refreshments will be served Friday evening
and all day Saturday. A boxed lunch by Panera Bread
will be provided at noon on Saturday.
• *For an additional $20 per person fee: Guided Bus
Tour of “Mohawk Country” on Sunday: Includes
the Nellis Tavern, Fort Klock, Van Alstyne
Homestead, Isaac Paris House, Palatine Church,
Stone Arabia Churches, Fort Plain Museum, Stone
Arabia Battlefield, Klock’s Battlefield and John
Brown’s Grave.
• Registration Deadline is April 17, 2015
• Please make checks and money orders payable
to: Fort Plain Museum. Mail completed
registration and lunch order forms with
payment to:
Fort Plain Museum
Attn: Brian Mack
PO Box 324
Fort Plain, N.Y. 13339

Gil and Lana from Drums Along the
Mohawk Outdoor Drama get married!
• Saturday July 25, 2015
• Wedding at the 1770 Palatine
Church at 3 pm.
• Reception at 4 pm at the 1747
Nellis Tavern.
• Sponsored by Mohawk Country
• “America’s First Frontier”

Gil and Lana from Drums Along the
Mohawk Outdoor Drama get married!
• Both locations are off New York
State Thruway Exit 29.
• Get details from Kyle Jenks at
• 216 509 7502 or
jaktar773@aol.com

Get them moving!
• Teach them Colonial
Dancing
• Popular periods are
• Colonial
• Regency
• Civil War
• I can help you find groups
and musicians.

Take them to Secret Places
Give them an adventure outdoors
Life was physically active in those days
• Take them on a Bike Ride
• Take them on a hike
• Take them on a Bike/Hike
• Geo-caching
• Orienteering
• Open fire cooking
• 18th Century Camping

Geo-caching
https://www.geocaching.com/
It’s like treasure hunting with a GPS.
There are over 2,000,0000 geo caches
worldwide. Set up a History themed
Geocache for your group.
I found this geocache without geocaching.
It was at one of my favorite historic sites-
Fort Klock in Palatine Bridge, NY. Fort
Klock was built in 1750 and is a priceless
reminder of the people who settled the area
during the French and Indian War and
American Revolution time periods.
See the beehive oven to the right?
It was inside there.

American Heritage Bicycle Tours
• Can help you create light
adventure itineraries that
include any of these ideas.
• We are not limited to Bicycle
Touring.
www.AmericanHeritageBicycleTours.com

Sports
• Watch movie: Crooked Arrows
• Play Lacrosse
• Play Cricket
• Play Rounders
• Bowl on a Lawn
• Play Vintage Baseball

Sports
Primitive Biathlon
http://www.shandakenprimitivebi
athlon.net/
• Catskills, NY
• Manchester, VT

Biathlon-Which are you?
• FAST? • SLOW?

Or are you a Biathlon wannabe?

After History Camp additions
•Create meet ups.
www.meetups.com

www.archive.org

www.academia.edu

Vimeo link to 2015 BOS
massacre reenactment
https://vimeo.com/122879720

http://www.history.org/kids/games/

Are you up for forming some alliances?
My three CALL TO ACTIONS
are:
• Create a network of Living
History Clubs
• Create a First Person
Interpretation Symposium
• Create a reenactment of
the 1754 Albany Congress

I don’t know if I’m ready to form any alliances.
I just want to watch the clock.
• A patriot soldier asked his
commander at the Old North
Bridge:
• “Are you going to let them burn the
town down?” The patriot
commander replied: “Who’s with
me?”
• No one turned him down.
Let’s do this.

Thank you for your attendance and
contributions! I look forward to
getting better acquainted.
Kyle Jenks
216 509 7502
jaktar773@aol.com
www.linkedin.com/kyle-jenks/32/507/542

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