Chadds Ford Days Spotlight: George Washington

Questions with the General: Why Washington?

On Friday, Allison, our new Programs and Development Manager, sat down with Living Biographer Carl Closs, who portrays George Washington regularly and does so for our Chadds Ford Days, to ask him a few questions and figure out, “Why Washington?”

I asked Carl to come in for an interview as part of a special section in our Chadds Ford Days newspaper pamphlet. While I was interested in delving into the mind of Washington, I was even more interested in the man behind the General and what motivated him to pick and portray an American legend.

Immediately you learn that Carl is a wealth of knowledge and not just about all things Washington. I asked him the usual questions, how long had he been involved with the Chadds Ford Historical Society (since the 1980s), how long had he been Washington at Chadds Ford Days (over 5 years), and when did he start portraying Washington (since 1997), but what was most fascinating to me was when we really started talking about Carl’s story.

Of course I had to ask him, “Why Washington?” and Carl modified my question by saying, “Well, why even pick the Revolutionary War period?” It all started for Carl with a thirst for learning about all kinds of history. Carl remarked that he was first drawn to Egyptian history, then the Greeks and the Romans. In his teenage years, Carl became a Civil War buff, but over time found that this era was too close to the modern one, that they were “too much like us.”

For Christmas one year, Carl received a book on the Revolutionary War from his uncle. He really liked the colorful uniforms of the period and from there went on to study the people involved. Carl notes that he was always a “studier of people”, more so than the events or battles that took place. He likens himself to Washington in that way because he didn’t enjoy talking about battles and strategy either. The people Carl began studying were the Founding Fathers and he started with Thomas Jefferson then moved on to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. At first, Washington never appealed to him because Carl always thought he seemed “cold and aloof.” But, Carl wanted to know why the thinkers of the day really looked up to him, especially Jefferson and Adams who wrote about him positively long after his death.

Thus began Carl’s journey to discover who Washington was and unearth why Washington was so beloved and honored. Carl said many profound and thoughtful statements through our time chatting together about researching Washington, but this one statement was really something I connected with: “In order to find out what the Founding Fathers were like, you have to look at the Founding Mothers.” This statement I felt also seemed to sum up his approach to researching Washington. Yes, he read the usual books about him, but Carl thought it was just as important to read about the people Washington interacted with and the letters between them. He said because Washington wrote so much (over 40,000 letters – more than any other President!) it makes it easier to accurately portray him and know what he thought.

After talking about many more topics, we then ended our conversation discussing the challenges of portraying a figure like Washington. Carl took a long pause before answering this question and revealed that it is difficult to present to an audience of mixed ages, as he has to figure out what sort of information they will be coming to his presentation with. With adults sometimes he finds that they ask about battle strategy or the myths that are perpetuated about Washington, which aren’t the more interesting aspects of Washington. He really enjoys presenting in front of college students and especially children. Carl smiled as he remarked that “kids ask the best questions.”  He went on to tell one of his favorite stories about a group of second graders in which a boy asked him, “What kinds of books did you read?” Carl remarked that this was a very good question and answered him as Washington by saying, “Mostly books on farming, but also ones on a wide range of topics. I have over 900 books in my library – and so much so that they no longer fit on my bookshelves! Martha, my wife, has a policy that if I want to get a new book I have to get rid of one first.” The kid thought about his reply a moment and then asked innocently, “Don’t you have a Kindle?” Carl gently answered that he did not think he had that book in his library. The young boy, not understanding the cultural differences, went on to explain that the Kindle wasn’t one book, but instead something you read many books on. Carl, knowing full well what he meant but wanting to educate the young boy, thoughtfully replied, “Oh, so it’s a book stand!” You can figure out how the conversation continued from there, but I imagine the young boy left with a general understanding of the time period, the lack of electronic devices, and an idea of the kind of individual Washington was based on Carl’s thoughtful portrayal of him.

If you are looking for something to do during Chadds Ford Days this September 12th-13th, I strongly recommend you take the time to witness his presentations at 2:30 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Carl’s thoughtful and well-researched approach to portraying Washington is not to be missed!

To learn more about Living Biographer Carl Closs, please visit his website: http://www.gwashington.net/

Chadds Ford Days Spotlight: Windsor Chairs

Take a look at our latest interview with one of our Chadds Ford Days demonstrators, Jim Stevens. Jim will be demonstrating the making of Windsor chairs, which are both a work of art and an important part of our American heritage. Make sure to stop by and see Jim during Chadds Ford Days this September 12^th-13^th.

Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up, etc.?

I grew up in Connecticut, in New England. I moved down to Delaware about 20 years ago. I took courses in New Hampshire on Windsor chair making. I learned how the chairs were made in 18^th century and why they last so long. It was through this class that I learned to make them myself.

How did you end up in Chadds Ford Days, and how many years have you attended?

I’ve attended Chadds Ford Days for the past 4-5 years. I heard about it though Scott Gold [read his Chadds Ford Days interview here], and then I called and got in as a demonstrator. The show is a very enjoyable experience and the kids love it. There is a lot of geometry involved in making Windsor chairs, and so the kids are also interested to see how they’re made.

What is your craft and how did you get started in it?

My craft is Windsor Chairs. I got started in it because I saw an advertisement for them in a woodworking magazine, and it was then I started taking courses on them in New Hampshire.

How did this play into the lives of colonists/what is its historical significance?

The Windsor chairs originally come from England. When they made their way over here, Americans started making them. There were many different variations on them, for example the Sack Back. They were widely purchased, then spread to different designs. Many were made in Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Windsor chairs were used in Continental Congress, also.

What do you want people to remember about your craft?

That they are handmade and that they’ll last forever.

Are there any interesting facts/common misconceptions surrounding it?

A common misconception is the reason the chairs last so long. Most people don’t know it’s all in the feet. And the wood I use is red oak, eastern white pine, and maple. Each wood is used for a different part of the chair.

What in particular can we look forward to seeing at your booth this Chadds Ford Days?

I will be demonstrating crafting the back spindles and the arms. I may also be demonstrating crafting the seats, which are all hand carved.

Chadds Ford Days Spotlight: 18th Century Garden Designs

Below is our interview with Chuck Feld, who demonstrates 18^th Century Garden Designs at Chadds Ford Days. Come out and see his fascinating demonstration on American horticulture this September 12^th-13^th!

Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up, etc.?

I grew up outside Pittsburgh, and I went to Penn State to study horticulture. I moved to Chadds Ford to work for the largest landscape nursery in PA, the J Franklin Styers Nurseries, where I became Vice-President. I worked there for 20 years and then eventually I left in 1997 to spend more time with my own 4-acre nursery. I am the owner of Birmingham Gardens and Propagation Nursery and am a PA certified Horticulturist. This is my 9^th year now as the instructor of Horticulture, Landscape and Turf Management at Williamson College of the Trades. I’ve also served on the board and committees of the PA Landscape & Nursery Association, and served on numerous local Arboretum committees and board. I’ve lectured at trade conferences on insect and disease control, nursery management and the history of horticulture in America, and taught classes at Longwood Gardens.

How did you end up in Chadds Ford Days, and how many years have you attended?

One of Chuck’s amazing carved pumpkins

I was one of the original pumpkin carvers at Chadds Ford’s Great Pumpkin Carve in October. So I have pretty much always been involved with the Chadds Ford Historical Society. I began giving talks 6 years ago at the CFHS, as I have always been a history buff. I was a speaker the last 2 years on the history of horticulture, which goes back to 1500s. This will be my 3^rd year at Chadds Ford Days as a demonstrator.

What is your demonstration and how did you get started in it?

I demonstrate 18^th century Garden Designs.  I went to Penn State and got my degree in Ornamental Horticulture and that’s how it all started.

How did this play into the lives of colonists /what is its historical significance?

When the settlers first came to America, they needed food, and so they weren’t concerned with landscaping. The first landscaping wasn’t until the late 1600s.  When we hear about our Founding Fathers, we often think of names like Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, but not names like Marshall, Prince, or Bartram. While not as familiar, these early plant explorers, botanic gardeners, and nurserymen played a crucial role as Founding Fathers of American horticulture.  In the 1700s, horticulture in the colonies focused significant energy on shipping plants from the wilds of this country to Europe, and especially to England. For example, John Bartram (1699-1777), a self- taught botanist, vigorously collected seeds and plants specimens from the colonies to be grown in his nursery, but also shipped them to England. His activity helped to establish a trans-Atlantic exchange of plants with London merchant Peter Collinson, an exchange that was participated by a host of American botanists. These explorers traveled from Maine to Florida and west of the Mississippi collecting plants and seeds to exchange with horticulturists in Europe.

Are there any interesting facts/common misconceptions surrounding it?

It was the settlers who brought fruit trees with them. One of these was the apple, not to eat, but rather to drink. It would last a good while, and then apple cider grows hard and becomes alcoholic.

What in particular can we look forward to seeing at your booth this Chadds Ford Days?

I always bring in seeds and demonstrate seed germination. I also do a grafting demonstration with apples, and people are really interested in that. I tell stories about the early settlers and the history of American horticulture.

One of Chuck’s lectures and demonstrations at the CFHS

Chadds Ford Days Spotlight: Hand Hewn Wooden Bowls

Check out our interview with Scott Gold, II below!  He is one of the talented demonstrators who will be joining us the September 12th-13th for Chadds Ford Days 2015.  

Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up, etc.?

I grew up on a farm in central PA. After I graduated from high school, I attended Penn State, where I studied agriculture and education. Then I taught at Oxford high school until 2003, when I retired.

How did you end up in Chadds Ford Days, and how many years have you attended?

I became interested in woodcarving. I make bowls and dishes and that sort of thing. Marie Stotler is the head of the demonstrators and I asked if I could attend Chadds Ford Days as a demonstrator.  That way, I could get some exposure for what I do. I think I first came 12-15 years ago, but it might be longer than that.

What is your craft and how did you get started in it?

I have always been interested in building and making things. To be honest, I got started in woodcarving because my wife brought home a handmade bowl and I thought she spent too much on it. So I went with her to a craft show, and watched someone do it. I then studied up on it and learned how to do it myself. Now I bring my bowls and such to 10-12 shows a year.

How did this play into the lives of colonists around Chadds Ford/what is its historical significance?

This craft goes back to cave men times. People have been carving things for thousands of years. I use historical tools myself and make contemporary designs. I try to stay away from the round shape that requires you to use a lathe, so most of my shapes are square and rectangle. There are not many people who do what I do.

What do you want people to remember about your craft?

Most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind, and no two pieces are the same. They are kind of modern day heirlooms.

What in particular can we look forward to seeing at your booth this Chadds Ford Days?

The same as usual, and I will bring several pieces I been working on.

Chadds Ford Days Spotlight: Dulcimer

Here is our interview with Lynn King, who will be one of the demonstrators at Chadds Ford Days this September 12^th-13^th.  Lynn plays historic music on the dulcimer and provides the history behind this American folk instrument. 

How did you end up in Chadds Ford Days, and how many years have you attended?

I ended up at Chadds Ford Days because of Al Webber, Sr., a member of the Chadds Ford Historical Society.  He got me interested in attending the Candlelight tour.  I brought my dulcimer and played Christmas music.  I started playing at the entrance, and now I’m with the demonstrators.  I now play the dulcimer for Chadds Ford Days.  I don’t remember the first year I did it, but it must have been over 10 years ago or even 15 years.

What is your craft and how did you get started in it?

I play the dulcimer, and this was because I had attended a Brandywine Friends convention and saw someone playing the dulcimer.  I thought it looked easy and so I started playing it.  I taught myself, which was simple.  I had a bit of music background and so could read music already.

How did this play into the lives of colonists around Chadds Ford/what is its historical significance? 

The dulcimer has quite the history.  The Germans came to America and settled in Lancaster county.  They brought with them the instrument scheitholt, which means “piece of wood.”  The scheitholt was made of wood, long and skinny.  It is the forerunner of the dulcimer.  The Germans brought it with them when they immigrated and also when they moved from Lancaster down to the Appalachian Mountains.  Then, in the middle of the 1700s, the Scotch/Irish go down to the Appalachians too.  There, because the scheitholt alone was not loud enough for their taste, the Scotch/Irish put it on a box.  From there the shape changed to a teardrop first, and then, after 1800, into an hourglass shape.

All the strings are tuned to the same note.  To play, a colonist would have broken off a small branch and used that as a noter and then used a turkey quill to strum with.

What do you want people to remember about your music and instrument?

That it is really easy to play!  You don’t have to know how to read music.  The music is all written in tabs, similar to some guitar music.  The dulcimer is so easy.

When you think Appalachian music, you’re really thinking of colonial music, which can date from the 11^th-15^th centuries.  I play a lot of old time music from the 1600s.  I do play some from the 18^th century, but it’s all folk music.  That music predates the lyrics and the same goes for folk music from the 1960s.  Those songs are not from the ‘60s but instead come from Child Ballads from the late 19^th century.  Sometimes I will play the music, but not sing the lyrics, since they came from much later.  For example, “Danny Boy” is historically accurate music, but the words came much later.  It was originally called “London Dairy Air.”  Once you dig into the music and its history, you will figure all this out.

Are there any interesting facts/common misconceptions surrounding it?

The most common question I get about it is: “What is that?”  But an interesting fact about it is that it is not a city instrument, it would be found in the country.  It is probably something you would make yourself and then played on your back porch.  You would play folk music on it, and the dulcimer was used to compliment your voice.  The music was brought with the immigrants, and remembered from their past.  This is what would happen in the country.  If you wanted to have a dance, you would use bones, spoons, even jawbones to make a rhythm.  You used what was around you.  The main thing to remember about the dulcimer is that it is a German instrument and it mainly comes from the Appalachians.  It is a true American folk instrument.

What in particular can we look forward to seeing at your booth this Chadds Ford Days? 

I always bring an extra dulcimer with me for someone else to play.  I bought a tiny one, restrung it, and use it mainly for kids to play with.  But anyone can play it at Chadds Ford Days with me.  It’s really cool, I think.  I bring a 6-string one, which is much louder, to play in the outside air.  I bring the little one for people to try out.  I also bring a scheitholt and spend half my time talking about the history connecting it and the dulcimer.

Chadds Ford Days Spotlight: Bee Skeps

This week, we are highlighting some of the demonstrators who will be joining us this September 12^th-13^th for Chadds Ford Days!  This interview is with Marie Elena Stotler, who crafts historic bee skeps by hand. 

How did you end up in Chadds Ford Days, and how many years have you attended?

I became friends with the head of the demonstrators at the Chadds Ford Historical Society and eventually I became the head myself.  1979 was my first year attending Chadds Ford Days.  I borrowed a dress that year from one of my friends who was a Mennonite.  The next year, it was made sure that I got a real reenactors dress.

What is your craft and how did you get started in it?

I make bee skeps by hand.  I learned how to make them from a class taught by an Amish man in Lancaster.  I just wanted to make one for my garden, but here we are.  I started making them when I was 29.  I now have had my crafts featured, for example, I was featured in Country Garden, both in 1995 and in this past January.  I have also been invited to the White House to make an ornament for President Clinton.

How did this play into the lives of colonists around Chadds Ford/what is its historical significance? 

Bee skeps were brought here by immigrants.  There were no honey bees in America, so the immigrants brought them in baskets.  “Skep” means basket, and it goes all the way back to the Egyptians.  The skep is used to contain swarms of bees.  If you manage to find the queen, you can keep the swarm.  They go anywhere she does.  You would put it on the ground or on a shelf outside and the bees would make honey inside of it.  In 1850, the wooden beehive was invented by a Philadelphia clergyman named Langstroth.  He was a beekeeper and he did it to take care of the bees.  There are elements to his beehive that really help to take care of the bees.

What do you want people to remember about your craft?

It is easy to do but it takes a long time to complete.  It takes 40 hours to make one, which is a school week.  I collect my own rye every June with a clipper.  I’m one of the only people who do it anymore, because it is hard work and therefore no one wants to do it.

Are there any interesting facts/common misconceptions surrounding it?

You do need to soak everything in water before making the skep.  It takes about 4 hours of soaking.  So for Chadds Ford Days, I have to plan everything out beforehand.  I soak everything the night before so I can actually be making it when people come by.

Make sure to stop by and check out the bee skeps at Chadds Ford Days 2015!

Marie in 1992