VOYAGER RENDEZVOUS ON THE MUSEUM LAWN

10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

    As part of the museum's Northern Lake Huron Pow Wow and Rendezvous, voyageur reenactors from around Michigan will be setting up camp on the museum lawn.  The costumed reenactors preserve early American skills such as primitive camping, crafts, and the safe use of muzzleloading firearms, for the education and enjoyment of both members and the general public.

 
    Young and old alike are invited to visit their campsites and learn more about what life was like in the Great Lakes region in the 1700s.  The reenactors will demonstrate skills such as the inkle technique of weaving sashes and other goods, Dutch oven cooking over an open campfire, making and writing with quill pens, and how the pioneers would start campfires with flint and steel.  "Hawk Man" Al Gross will tell visitors all about tomahawks and he'll teach you how to throw one.  You'll also get a chance to compete in games from the 1700s, like checkers and farkle, a game of dice, and make crossword puzzles.  Most of the voyageurs will be armed with knives and guns, just as they were in the 1700s, and they'll explain how their weapons were made and how they were used.  You'll also learn about the daily lives of the voyageurs and experience firsthand what life was like in the rendezvous encampments when voyageurs arrived by canoe from Montreal to purchase furs from the Indians, trappers, and traders.

Reenactors Encampment
 

Al Gross 

   Tomahawk throwing, Must be old enough to handle sharp objects, kids
  must have a responsible adult present

Jean Gross 
  Dutch oven and open fire cooking

Tom & Cindy Snider
  Traditional Native American camp

Mike VanLiew 
  Woodworking, shaving horse

Rick Gardner
  Long hunter's on-the-trail camp
Pam Gardner
  Ring Tail Tavern (traveling tavern display) cooking
 
Julie & Emily Bloom 

Children's Games (kids of all ages welcome to play)
checkers, farkle, quill pens, planks, puzzles, and much more

Trenton Goudy
  Flint and Steel fire starting
   
             Traders/Craftsmen/Reenactors
 
LaFae Markle   Inkle Weaving, sashes and leg ties

Steve & Pam Manning
  Blacksmith

Ralph Babcock
  Wooden Toys and Boxes

 

 

    From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday--or until they're sold out--the voyageurs and volunteer cooks from the museum will be selling the museum's popular
        "Buffalo Burgers."

 

 Admission to all the Rendezvous activities is free.