As to the bird on the cross, having delved into vampire lore over the past year or so, I've read a lot on the crucifixion and religious symbolism. My guess is the carving is supposed to look like a dove. A dove took the form of the Holy Spirit and was symbolic of Christianity as part of the trinity. It was used as a precursor to the cross, which took the bird's place some time during the fourth century. Hollywood that depicts early Christians, especially those thrown to the lions in Roman arenas would not have displayed or worn a cross until the last century of the empire.

Thanks Harry!

I like photographing flags. I'll take some photos of any event that has one. Even as a child, I was fascinated by them. Growing up, we had a wooden fence in our backyard that resembled a fort. I made my own American red, white, and blue flag with stars and bars, attached it to a long tree limb that I cleaned, and attached it to my fence. When arriving home from school, I'd spot the flag fluttering before I went inside smiling. Some of my best photos have been of flags.

It's not this photo but last year, the North Carolina Museum of History used an image of a reenactor holding a stars- and- stripes American flag as the cover page for the spring 2024 edition of the Tar Heel Junior Historian periodical. When I took this flag photo at Fort Roberdeau, I felt it would be a good one—and I was right!

One of my photography goals at these events is to create unique photos besides reenactment ones. As I stroll at any event, I'm searching for photography opportunities. Before the raid scenario, I visited the cabin. I spotted the fruit bowl and other assorted items inside and knew this would make a good photo using the light from the open window. To give it a vintage look, I muted the overall color and added grain in On1 software, liking it to the days of film.

One notable aspect of this event was the interaction between the reenactors and the public. After the woods skirmish, the leader of the loyalist militia tried to persuade the public to follow the King of England. Most folks booed. It was fun bantering back and forth!

Check out my photo gallery with over 100 photos from this event.

Thank you for reading! Blog #77 will be posted in November 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

It was also known as The Lead Mine Fort. It was built in 1778 during the American Revolution and occupied until 1780. The stockade, restored as a Bicentennial project between 1975 and 1976, features the reconstructed Revolutionary War fort, buildings, smelter, and a 19th-century farmhouse.

What was great about the programming at this event was the busy yet manageable pace of all the activities. There was minimal downtime. In this depiction, a group of settlers came across this cabin in 1778, where all of the inhabitants, men, women, and children, were massacred. Raids like this were a common occurrence living on the frontier. It was usual for neighbors and families to be loyal to the English, called loyalists or those who wanted to create a new nation, referred to as patriots. This time was our nation's first Civil War. 

The kids involved in the skit, especially the girls, were quite convincing. When they came upon their dead neighbors/family, they started crying and shrieking so convincingly that the young kids in the audience started crying and wailing. They had me rattled too.

These men in this region of PA were all experienced frontiersmen. They knew how to survive with help from no one. They were tracking those responsible for the cabin massacre. Read tales of what happened during these raids then and how horrific these times were. So, how did you determine who was on what side? Since it was hard to distinguish who was a Loyalist (loyal to England), they mentioned wearing yellow ribbons in their hats to differentiate themselves at this event. 

It's fun to watch reenactors speaking with families about the American Revolution. Reenactors enjoy interacting with the public, especially kids, and sharing their knowledge. Every time I speak with one, I learn something new. Ask a question the next time you attend an event!

I shot this photo near the end of the battle reenactment. The scenario was that Loyalists almost captured some women and young girls. They were able to avoid capture and ran to the fort's safety. At first, the girls walked, then boom, they started running to the fort. Unexpectedly, this girl just went airborne. She was fine, got up, and continued to the fort. Luckily, I acquired experience shooting action shots like this when photographing college football, lacrosse, and soccer events years ago. You're striving for the peak of action, which I captured here.

Around 4 pm, I left. After an hour of driving, I was looking for a restaurant to recharge myself. Now, breakfast is my favorite meal, and at that time, I saw a sign for Dennys. I last visited that restaurant a while ago, but I remembered they had a great breakfast. And they do. After a marvelous high-calorie meal, I was back on the road again. Before arriving home, the car GPS lady wanted me to see as many small towns and remote spots as possible! I drove, drove, and drove some more. I did get home late, but importantly, I was safe. Based on my short adventure, I highly recommend visiting Fort Roberdeau. 

Thank you for reading! Blog #76 will be posted in October 2024.  Be safe & well!

Check out my photo gallery with over 100 photos from this event.

Ken Bohrer

This Saturday was a perfect day for this event. Unlike the battle, it wasn't too hot, with a clear blue sky and puffy clouds. I left home early, and my car ride on the PA and NJ turnpikes was quick and relaxing, just over an hour. I was excited to meet up with photo friends and reenactors. At every event, something new happens. This event was no different. I had before-reenactment and after-reenactment moments.  

Around lunchtime, I saw a photo friend speaking with a small group of reenactors. He introduced me. They were from Louisiana, and it was their first time attending this event. I learned they spent the summer traveling the country and attending events throughout the US because of their summer break being teachers. Besides American Revolution events, they also were involved in the French and Indian War, War of 1812, and WW2 events. Wow! They were towing a trailer the size of a small RV with all their equipment.

After the reenactment, as I left to go home, I stopped by to say goodbye to my friend Ron at his sutler's (merchant) tent. He was conversing with a family, and I noticed the dad had a NY accent. I asked him where he was from. His response made me take a few steps backward. Yes, he was not just from NY but from the small town where I grew up, in the eastern part of Long Island. What are the odds? He graduated from my high school about ten years after I did. That's why these events are so much fun. You never know what will happen and what interesting people you will meet.

This photo encompasses what reenactments are all about. They educate adults, especially kids, about our nation's beginning, which means our struggles and accomplishments. Reenactors enjoy telling their stories with others. Don't be shy. Ask them questions; they want to share their knowledge!

Lately, I've been fascinated with Continental soldier canteens, and I now focus on finding special ones to photograph at every new event. They come in all shapes and sizes. At this event, I photographed four unique ones. The photo below shows a more common type in the shape of a barrel. They were...

"...constructed like barrels by experienced "bottle makers" with their distinctive rims of staves bound together by wooden hoops (later examples would use thin iron bands). The Continental Army ordered thousands of them. They were rugged and serviceable and held about a quart of liquid."

Over the years, I've taken many canteen photos. They always have something unique about them, usually in design and color. On my drive home, I thought that would make a great blog topic in the future.

With today's cameras and variable aperture lenses, sometimes it's easy to be lazy. You can stand in one spot and change your focal length to get the photo. Lately, I've wanted to challenge myself photographically, so I purposefully use my prime Nikon 50 mm 1.8 lens sometime during an event. 

The lens becomes 75 mm because my Nikon D500 has a crop sensor, which means it's magnified 1.5 times. This lens has a significant advantage: the aperture can be as open as 1.8mm, blurring out the background. This lens makes some great portrait photos.

Photography is not just about clicking a button; it's about visualizing the shot. This photo is a perfect example. I had a clear vision of capturing just the women knitting. With a zoom lens, I could have quickly taken numerous images at different photos without moving an inch. But with this lens, I had to work the shot, taking a few to get the shot I had envisioned. It's this thoughtful process that makes photography so rewarding.

Among my photo pals, there's a unanimous agreement that if an event includes cannon firings, we must capture at least one good one. At this event, I've included more cannon shots than ever before, each one unique. But this one, in particular, is the best, showcasing the fire and fury emanating from these cannons. The primary reason this image is spectacular is the saturated color.

One photo friend commented that the great color resulted from the cannon in the shade. I agree. The reenactments generally occur in open fields during the worst time of the day, around high noon. The sun is overhead, muting the colors and causing awful shadows. Not here.

When I first reviewed the photo below, I thought it was nice but nothing special. But I was wrong. When photographing reenactment events, I take many pictures, and only later, after downloading and reviewing, do I discover the best ones. At first glance, this photo appears cluttered, but it's pretty simple and tells a story. It's about an older couple eating a meal. 

The left side of the photo shows all the equipment they need for their weekend encampment. However, focus on the right side, which shows the couple eating. It's so uncomplicated and touching. But it gets me asking myself what's happening, and that's what all good photos are supposed to do. Sometimes, the everyday moments make for the most exciting images.

Thank you for reading! Blog #75 will be posted in September 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

First, I needed to take my oldest son to a Saturday class he has weekly. Luckily, the school is only about 15 miles from the encampment. It was not a good start when we left home late. I arrived about an hour later than I hoped. It was also a rainy day—no downpours, but just enough rain that I needed to cover my camera while walking around.

Here is one of the last photos of my day: a simple photo of the dragoons practicing in formation. They were in an open field near the parking area. No one else was around. I followed them around and took about 20 shots. Unbeknownst to me, I captured a flying bird in this shot. I don't remember that ever happening before.

But, shortly after, I needed to drive home because my toddler wasn't feeling well. I missed all the afternoon firing and maneuvering drill events. Ah well, photographing some is better than not at all!

Some information about this historic site.

"Pennypacker Mills is a well-documented historic site of what life was like in the early 1900s. With a unique original collection, the mansion is fully furnished with antiques collected and documented by former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker reflecting his interests in early Pennsylvania history, German and Dutch settlers, Native Americans, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The collection also includes Governor Pennypacker’s political (1903 - 1907), genealogical and personal papers."

The house, built in 1720, is in the colonial revival style. You may wonder if George Washington visited this home. Yes, he did! It was his headquarters before and after the Battle of Germantown in 1777.

Post-processing my photos afterward is the most fun for me. The picture on the left shows how my camera sees the image in RAW format, with no changes. But, if you shoot in JPEG format, the camera automatically makes corrections and adjustments. With the array of tools, sharpening, filters, and sliders in On1 software, I can completely metamorphose photos as I did to the one on the right.

This level of control empowers me to shape the image to align with my vision and artistic intent. The process is similar to the old black-and-white film days when we tweaked the print using tools to dodge and burn to manipulate the exposure of select areas. However, with the advent of today's technology, this process has blossomed into a whole new domain. The difference in the quality of the images' created today is truly remarkable!

On the house tour, I felt like I was in a museum or antique store. The house had many portraits, paintings, drawings, and other exciting objects displayed throughout. The preservation of this house is outstanding. So many other similar historic homes needed painting or had water damage, but not this one. When taking the tour, this kerosene lamp caught my attention.

Later, in post-processing, I wanted to create a nostalgic photo. My first thought was to convert it to B&W. Then, with filters and tools in On1 software, I made this look like a nostalgic B&W image with lots of film grain added. It was so much fun! 

You can always learn something new at reenactment/encampment events like this. Here, a Brewster was demonstrating the art of making beer. He's using a blow poke, from research learned that wasn't around in the 18th century, to stoke the fire. I took the photo just at the right time.

Thank you for reading! Blog #74 will be posted in August 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

It's hard to believe, but it had been five years, 2019 since I attended their spring encampment event. I left the Philly suburbs around 9 AM on a beautiful Saturday, taking the significant highways circling Philly, and arrived in NJ around Morristown about an hour later. These driving trips are relaxing for me.

Now, when I go, it's fun browsing through the gift shop to find where the book Jockey Hollow by Rosalie Lauerman is displayed. Why? Three of my photos are featured. Her book was on the front table when entering the visitor's center. The photo below shows the book.

Reminiscing about the photos in her book gave me an excellent idea for a future blog: to review some of my published images in books and magazines. There is no more incredible honor for a photographer than to have your work featured like that!

Good photos often capture simple moments and tell a story. I noticed this reenactor waiting for drills to start. Everyone else was staring straight ahead. He, though, was looking up at, who knows why? Maybe he was thinking about what is for dinner, or the sun is sure hot today. That's the fun of viewing a photo; we can only imagine.

I like to photograph canteens at these events. There is something unique about them with all their fancy designs and logos. I zoom in as tight as possible when shooting. This one was different because everything else besides the number 5 and the letter P wasn't recognizable.

The re-enactors practiced drilling and firing in formation when I positioned myself directly in front of them as if they were firing directly at me. I always wanted to sense what it feels like to have a musket barrel staring directly at you!

Later, when editing, I cropped as much as I could. I then added a canvas filter in On1 software to create this painting-like effect. 

You get this dark, cloudy, smokey effect from many muskets fired at once—almost like a solar eclipse. All your eyes can identify from the musket explosion is the initial fire blast from the ignited black powder. I have many pictures like this one on my site. I wonder if the reenactors realize the size and power of the musket blasts disseminating from them.

Thank you for reading! Blog #73 will be posted in July 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

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This photo was taken at the Battle of Germantown event in 2019. Although I have hundreds of musket blasts on this website, this one stands out the most. At first glance, it looks like an abstract photo. I wonder if reenactors realize how much smoke, sparks, and fire their muskets produce during each volley. 

It's funny how you remember specific photos after so many years. Here is a perfect example. This photo is from the street battle at the Iron Works Hill event in 2011, which hadn't occurred in years. I remember it was a street battle in present-day Mount Holley, a small town with buildings representing architectural styles from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries lining the streets. The echo from the cannon and gun volleys that day was deafening. You can tell from the British reenactors how loud and painful it was for them. I have no other photo like it.

Someone recently commented that this photo from the Siege at Ft Mifflin 2023 looked like a painting. Yes, that's what I wanted to hear. I'm now exploring new ways of showcasing my work. This photo of the Schooner Northwind sailing on the Delaware River was initially okay but nothing special. I improved it in On1 Sofware. The significant change was adding the canvas filter, making this feel nostalgic, a painting. I want to make more aesthetic changes like this moving forward in my photography journey.

Some photos you always remember creating them. Colonial Williamsburg is my favorite location to visit. I've been there numerous times. In 2014, while walking early in the morning with a cup of coffee and my camera, I spotted a small building with a ladder hanging horizontally near Williamsburg’s Capitol building. From a distance, it looked like a mouth, and the windows looked like eyes. You see where I'm going. It was the first time I had noticed this during my many visits. With simple cropping, I was able to create this image. It makes me smile every time! 

Here is an excellent example of creating an image in post-processing. The original shot was good but missing something. The subject was the native American warrior with his war club from the Battle of Oriskany in 2012. But he  was not the focus area in the photo. In On1 software, I changed that by adding a radial blur filter to keep him focused and blurting everything else around him. It worked perfectly. My two-year son really likes this photo.

Thank you for reading! Blog #72 will be posted in June 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

I've reviewed all of these photos before in other blogs. For all of them, I used On1 software in post-processing, and for some, I used enhancing filters to alter the image significantly. Post-processing is the fun part of creating an image for me.

One of my friends specifically mentioned this photo below. I took it many years ago at the Battle of Germantown in 2012 and liked it. I didn't think it was remarkable then, but I was wrong! I've taken hundreds of musket blasts similar to this for many years, and not one has the sparks flying and swirling like this.

I'm also now using a new photo editing program to create cinematographs (subtle movement). My friend Harry Schenawolf, editor of Revolutionary War Journal, used this photo in one of his articles, Matchlocks & Flintlocks. I made this photo a cinemograph, it adds a new perspective. Take a look. What do you think?

Before most of the battle reenactments start, I tell myself to remember to zoom in as close as possible to my subject. I'm seeking that unique perspective! By doing this, I captured some of my best shots. Here is a perfect example. During the Battle of Trenton in 2019, I could zoom in close as the reenactor poured powder into the flash pan. This technique is challenging because the reenactors steadily move during the street battle. I like this photo; it was hard to capture.

I've often commented on this photo in other blogs from the Battle of Chadds Ford in 2021. When I added the radial blur filter, I made this photo look like an actual war photograph, and it gives me chills every time I see it! I've never seen another photo like it.

This photo never fails to amaze me. When I took it, I had no clue that Spyglass had the Delaware River's reflection. There are similar photos like this in my gallery from the Washington's Crossing 2019 event, but this is the best one. I am still trying to figure out what I did to get this reflection. I tried replicating it at each new Washington's Crossing event but have failed. Maybe I'll never be able to capture this again.

This image is a composite from the Battle of Newtown 2019 event. Did I take the shots consecutively? No! Only after reviewing the photos later did, I notice taking the same Native American reenactor headshot of his left and right side. Each image separately is good, but combined, it's perfect. I didn't plan it, though!

Thank you for reading! Blog #71 will be posted in May 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

My Nikon 80-400 4.5-5.6 VR lens is the only one I use during a reenactment battle.  I was only about 5 feet away when taking this photo of the Hessian soldier adding black powder to his musket's flash pan. 

My good friend Harry Schenawolf, editor of the Revolutionary War Journal, describes in an article "Loading and Firing a Brown Bess Musket in the Eighteenth Century" how an 18th-century musket is loaded.

Half cock the musket by pushing back on the hammer with flint attached (called a dogshead). Push the frizzen  forward, open the pan (or flash pan), and pour a small amount of black powder from the cartridge.

Here's another photo of me zooming in on a reenactor firing his musket as tight as possible. I never know what to expect. This time, I noticed his eyes closed and then the sparks plus the smoke from the musket firing. Being so close adds more drama, and so many times, I'm surprised by the results.

Catching the peak action is always the goal. The surrender here ends the first battle in Mill Hill Park. You notice the out-of- focus British/Hessian troops holding their muskets upside down. 

Before I explain the photo here, I want to mention a pleasant experience. I was at my usual spot just past the Jackson Street Bridge, waiting for the second battle to commence around 3 pm. Behind me, at the end of the townhouse, I noticed numerous folks coming and bringing food. I jokingly asked one guy carrying a crock pot thanks for lunch and asked why everyone was entering this home with food. He mentioned a neighborhood party every year at this reenactment. About 15 minutes later, the person I spoke with tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a bowl of chili with cornbread. What a lovely gesture! I thanked him and had a delicious afternoon snack!

At no other Trenton reenactment, I've attended was the cannon placed on the bridge. Usually, it was on a hill adjacent to me. I like catching the cannon blast as the British troops are charging. It makes for an exciting photo.

Sometimes, you notice an object you haven't seen before, even when visiting that location numerous times. That's what happened here. This considerable medallion was on the right side of the barracks, where the officers lived, about 20 feet up. I was curious about its history, so I contacted the Executive Director Michelle Doherty and asked. She responded and stated.

The lion and unicorn medallion on the outside of the building is original to the building and is the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The Old Barracks was built in 1758-9 to house British soldiers during the French and Indian War. 

To enhance the medallion as much as possible, I used sharpening tools in On1 software. It brings out the detail in the lion and unicorn. It's a good reminder that even if you visit someplace often, on any new visit, you might see something different and unique.

Thank you for reading! Blog #70 will be posted in April 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

There is also the two-week before practice event, which I attend more often; it's a festival. I came on Christmas Day this year. I left home around 10:30 for about one hour, mainly around the Philadelphia highway. It was a beautiful, sunny day with above-average temperatures.

Once I arrived, I met some photo friends and spoke with some reenactors. It was only a short time before I spotted George Washington entering the (McConkey's Ferry Inn) to plan the crossing with his officers. His lifeguards were protecting him outside. I first converted this photo to black and white and used a new photo post-processing technique, the canvas filter in On1 software, to make it appear like a charcoal painting. With his spyglass, George Washington viewing the Delaware River was the perfect choice for this technique. 

This photo shows the Delaware River and the Washington Crossing Bridge linking PA and NJ. It is near where George Washington and his men crossed on Christmas Day. I shot this panoramic on the PA side while waiting for the event to commence. You'll notice the entire bridge overflowing with spectators with a closer look. I've taken photos from the bridge a few times. You get a different perspective when the Durham boats are crossing; they appear so small in scale. You are also in amazement at how George Washington and his men managed this crossing in an icy, dark river with horses and cannons in a blizzard without being spotted by the Hessian troops. It was a miracle! 

The Washington Crossing Bridge with many spectators observing the crossing. Chief Artillery Officer Henry Knox met George Washington when he became Commander of the American Army in 1775 at Cambridge, MA, and a close confidant of Washington throughout the war. He was involved in many significant battles, including Trenton. This photo shows him walking behind Washington while addressing his troops before the crossing. Even though Washington is out of focus in this photo, you know it's him!

The 13 six-pointed Star Commander In Chief blue flag designates Washington in the boat. He followed typical European tradition by having a flag designed for himself as an army leader. Where the general was at any time, so was the flag. If you look closely here, you can spot Washington at the bow. 

When reviewing this image, I immediately considered emphasizing the flag's water reflection in my post-production process. I cropped the photo to show this and used the canvas filter in On1 software for the painting effect. I like the results!
Thank you for reading! Blog # 69 will be posted in March 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

The influential photographer Ansel Adams said, "Twelve significant photos in any year is a good crop." For my 2023 photo recap, I'm selecting five of my favorites. Did I achieve the twelve significant photos for the year like Ansel Adams? Maybe? I chose from nine events last year and over 450 posted photos. This time, I didn't choose my overall favorite. I like all of them wholly for different reasons.

When photographing a person, you're always looking for human emotion. This photo from the 1777 Whitemarsh encampment does just that. You can feel his frustration as he attempts to fix his rifle. We can all relate to being just like this moment when we're doing something that isn't working just right! Ah, we do try!

My favorite photo of 2022 is similar to this one. It's from the Battle of Monmouth and has three British soldiers standing in a line, with one pondering about something. This photo again has three British soldiers, and they appear to be nothing special until you look closely at the placement of the three tin canteens. At the top left, the first soldier is starting to sip from his, the second is swallowing, and the third is putting the plug back in the canteen-just a perfect sequence. I couldn't have planned this!

Some photos make you smile, and this is one of them for me. It's from the recent Revolutionary Germantown Festival. I noticed this man with the three-corned colonial hat holding this adorable baby girl and asked if I could take their photo; he graciously said yes. It was my first shot of the day. Sometimes, that one is the best overall.

For the last few years, Ft Mifflin has offered, as part of siege weekend, the opportunity to cruise the Delaware River around the fort with Gloucester City’s Tall Ship, the Schooner North Wind. For this photo and two others of the same ship, #7, #8, and #9 in this photo gallery, I used On-1 software to create an old, period type photo by adding a canvas filter that makes the image resemble a painting. Just perfect!

Here is a simple but interesting photo from the Battle of Monmouth 20233 event. It follows numerous photography composition rules, such as not having the subject in the center of the frame, leading lines, and shallow depth of field. One rule I didn't follow was having my topic on the left side of the frame. It's okay because you notice the out-of-focus soldiers first, leading to the subject. It works.

Thank you for reading! Blog # 68 will be posted in February 2024.  Be safe & well, and Happy New Year!

I learned that reenactor/sutler Ted Hueskin passed away in November. I've known him and his wife, Sue, for over ten years, and at every event, we would say hello and chat for a few minutes. Wonderful guy! I have many photos of him over the years, including this one from the 2022 Washington's Crossing event, where he was one of Washington's lifeguards. He's the soldier at the left holding his musket with his left hand. RIP Ted!

Ken Bohrer

This year, again, it was a festival with a small number of Continental and British first-person interpreters, vendors, a replica of George Washington's mobile tent, a battle overview by Thomas J. McGuire, the commemoration of those who were in the battle, an exhibition from the Souls Shot Portrait Project, Storytime at 10:30 am at the new Literacy Nest and family-friendly activities. I thought of myself as an event photographer, not one photographing a reenactment. It was essential to see the big picture and capture the special moments.

The weather forecast for the day was intermittent rain with downpours. We got lucky, with only a few scattered showers throughout the day. Here was one of the first photos I took in the morning. I saw this man with the three-cornered hat holding this adorable baby girl. I got it on my first attempt; sometimes, everything works perfectly! Here is the link to this event's photos.

The day was about educating the public about the life of an American Revolution soldier. It's needed to start educating kids about our history accurately and honestly.

Reenactors are accustomed to having their photos taken. Just ask politely, and they will usually say okay. That's what I did here.

In all my years visiting this site, it still amazes me that this is the original house that played such a pivotal role in the outcome of the Battle of Germantown in 1777. The mansion is that old. At this event, author Thomas J. McGuire always provides an excellent oration of the battle and the role of this mansion in it.

There is always a commemorative ceremony by British and Continental troops for who lost their lives at the battle. On both sides, about 200 soldiers were killed.

Thank you for reading! If you need an event photographer for an event, please get in touch with me.
Blog # 67 will be posted in January 2024. I'll share my top 5 photos of 2023. Be safe & well and Happy Holidays!!

Ken Bohrer

Seoul is the capital of South Korea and the country's largest city, with a population of nearly ten million people. There is much to see and do in this safe, clean, progressive city. I wanted to learn more about Seoul's historical past.

We visited on a sunny, hot, humid weekday. There were few visitors that day.

The Korean Folk Village has more activities like this traditional dance ensemble. This village was bigger and had more to see. As I described last month, my camera was my compact and light Panasonic/Lumix Mirrorless DMC-GF6 camera with a 14-42 mm lens.

As my family was walking the grounds, crossing over a small bridge above a gently meandering creek, I spotted this heron searching for a meal. I'm not a wildlife photographer, but I did spot an excellent photo opportunity. Then, all of a sudden, the bird went from fishing to ascending into the air as I took the shot. It was fun capturing this moment.

With few interpreters on the grounds, many sites had mannequins depicting everyday life. My educated guess is that this couple was not typical villagers.

 Here was a photo opportunity I couldn't pass up. Somebody in this stone hut arranged all these colorful wooden figurines in neat rows. I wanted to know if they were for sale. My oldest son was inquiring about them. No one was around to ask.
As my family was strolling the grounds, I spotted this straw hut with a matching fence. At the bottom left, I noticed a stream of light. It just glowed. It made for a good photo.

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 66 will be posted in December 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

The first restoration we visited was Jeju Folk Village (Jeju Minsokchon) on Jeju Island in the Korea Strait, about 50 miles south of the South Korean mainland. An underwater volcano's eruption approximately 2 million years ago created the island. We took a short, less than one-hour plane flight from Inchon airport to the island. We stayed for three days and two nights. The weather didn't cooperate, and it rained at some point every day.

It was a warm, muggy weekday, so not crowded with visitors. Unlike Colonial Williamsburg, there were no interpreters providing tours. Instead, we were strolling the grounds and reading occasional educational information on posted signs.

For this trip, I took my compact and light Panasonic/Lumix Mirrorless DMC-GF6 camera for this trip abroad with a 14-42 mm lens.  Photographers know this, but it takes a lot of work to focus on photography when you're with family. They don't understand why you're taking so long in one place and want to take the same shot from different angles and perspectives. Creating a photo must be done quickly. That's what happened here with these stone figures. I don't know what they symbolize but it makes for an interesting photo. 

Their site map/ brochure describes the Jeju Folk Village as a vivid and faithful re-creation of Jeju Island's traditional culture and history during the late Joseon Dynasty. It is committed to informing international visitors about Jeju's folk culture. 

This Dynasty was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. A critical element of Korean culture is an earthenware pot called onggi, which has been used for tableware and food storage since prehistoric times. They vary in size. The photo shows how big they can be.

This door was the entrance to the village. The colors were so vibrant I knew this would make a good photo.

My one-and-a-half-year-old- son enjoyed "meeting" this golden ox. He was in awe. In the stone homes, there were also mannequins dressed in traditional clothing. That way, you would feel what living in that period would be like.

Thank you for reading! In next month's blog I'll review my visit to the Korean Folk Village in the Seoul suburbs.

Blog # 65 will be posted in November 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

My drive that early Saturday morning was easy and fast. Like the actual battle, this event typically is stifling hot and humid. Not today; the weather was comfortable. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the afternoon reenactment because of a family illness. I had to leave early. But I still captured some excellent photos.

Many of my best and favorite photos I've taken in the last few years are not from the reenactments. Just simple, candid images of reenactors and camp life. This photo was a perfect example and a pleasant surprise. 

Notice how the tin canteens are in sequence for these three British reenactors. At the top left, one reenactor is sipping water, the second is swallowing, and finally, the last is finished. Only after carefully reviewing the photo did I notice this sequence. Sometimes, I'll see the patterns before taking the shot; other times, like this one, I'm lucky!

This photo is funny. I searched for where the horses were resting and grazing. One horse appeared to be eating the bark of a tree. I never saw that before. Not that I'm a horse expert. His handler was there, so I asked what the horse was doing. He said the horse was bored. I just chuckled to myself. Horses get bored, which is new to me. It sure makes for a unique photo, though.

I'll often take panoramic photos to show many reenactors at an event. Then, you get a sense of how big the reenactment was.

It's easy for me to compose panoramas now. I'll start in the middle of my subject, slowly rotate left to right, stop in short intervals, and take about 5-8 single shots. In On1 software, I stitch them together. Most times, everything works perfectly, like this one.

Sometimes, you see a photo. You know it's there; hopefully, you can capture it. Below is a perfect example. I was walking in a sloped area near the American camp and saw these two artillery reenactors relaxing above me around their cannons. They looked so natural and almost posing for a picture. I waited patiently for the flag to flap in the wind before I took the photo. Patience is the key.

Walking around the camps at an American Revolution reenactment event is fun. There are always photo opportunities to find. In this photo, it's the mom and her son just relaxing. The light was perfect, so it made a nice photo. 

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 64 will be posted in October 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

Here is my favorite photo of my day. I followed many photography techniques using On1 software. First, I cropped the image to have the path lead to the highlighted red topped wooden garden shed. I vignetted the edges, added vibrance, and brightened the subject. So much fun!

When my photo subject is recognizable, like Mt Vernon, I'll photograph it from a different angle or vantage point. That's what I did here. I positioned myself on the right side of the mansion, getting this compressed view with different angles and leading lines. It feels like a maze to me.

Slave labor built this magnificent mansion. We must remember that. No matter how much we don't want to admit our nation's blemish, it's a fact. George Washington was ahead of his time as a Southern enslaver in many ways in that he struggled with the institution of slavery and wrote of his desire to end the practice, Maybe because he traveled outside the South to New England and as far west as Ohio Valley where he met all types of people including free-and enslaved African Americans. But let's remember he was a product of his generation, where slavery was the economic foundation of the Southern plantation economy.

Directly across from Washington's tomb is a slave memorial. During these troubling political times, visiting this shrine was vital for me.

What's fun about photographing American Revolution reenactments is the many fantastic photography opportunities. Just something so simple as walking around the American & British camps, you can always find a photo opportunity. Here kids were having a great time playing cards. Simple!

You never know who you might see at an American Revolution reenactment event. Maybe even a Buddhist monk? Plus, Mt Vernon is open 365 days a year. So, make a plan to visit if you haven't before!

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 63 will be posted in September 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

The lens I use most at reenactments, around 75% of the over 8,500 photos posted on my website, is the Nikon 80mm-400mm f/4.5-5.6. My SLR D500 Nikon camera has a smaller crop sensor, magnifying the lens 1.5 times. This lens then becomes 180 mm-840 mm! But I need a lighter, more versatile one for the next few months. So I'll use my Nikon 24-85mm (36-128mm) 2.8-4 lens.

It's hard to believe it's been three years since I last attended Revolutionary War Weekend at Mt Vernon. For me now, on a 1-day round trip, 2 1/2 hours each way is the maximum I can handle. It's a pleasant highway drive with only traffic in the Washington, DC, area. Hurray, on this trip I had no speeding ticket!

I purchased my ticket in advance, so it was a quick, easy access through the Ford Orientation Center. Slowly I walked to the mansion and took this photo. The house lawn was full of people milling around the grounds. Because of my limited movement, my goal was to stay in the mansion area for the day's visit. 

I went to the back of the house to sit on a fan back patio chair. Can you imagine waking up to this view of the Potomac River every morning? Plus, it's incredible to think of some of the conversations held here with some of the most influential men of his generation. 

Where else can you meet George Washington and two Frenchman General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau on the left, and volunteer Marquis de La Fayette Washington's and Lafayette's relationship was so close that they were more like a father and son rather than a commanding general and his top-ranking officer.

In the summer of 1781 Washington did host Rochambeau & LaFayette at Mt Vernon right before the siege of Yorktown that essentially ended the American Revolution and major fighting.

Here is one of my favorites of the day. The continental troops were lining up for an inspection from General Washington. The reenactment, with regiments of men firing in unison, demonstrates how many American Revolution battles were fought. It's always impressive to see.

Thank you for reading! Happy July 4th!

Blog # 62 will be posted in August 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer



 

From my friend Harry Schenawolf, historian, author, and publisher of the Revolutionary War Journal's website, I learned the sizes of cannons used during the American Revolution. At most reenactments, the artillery units are using the smaller 2-pounder.

5) This photo, from the Battle of Iron Hill in 2009, is a favorite not because of the cannon blast but because of the crew's reaction. Yes, I remember the loud echo from the close when the cannon fired from this street reenactment. It can be so loud sometimes car alarms would go off.

4) This photo from Ft. Lee in 2018 reminds me of pyrotechnics from the 4th of July fireworks celebration. You never know what a cannon blast will look like; each is unique.

3) At first glance, some photos you just like. That's true for me with this photo from the Battle of Trenton in 2013. Instantly, I liked and thought it was different. None of my cannon photos before or after have this goldish, metallic color. Every time at an event, I want different and unique images. This photo does that.

2) I'll often zoom in as close as possible for cannon photos. This photo, from the Battle of Trenton 2016, was also a street battle in Trenton. I zoomed to 600mm, about six times what the average eye sees. Plus, to capture a good shot, my camera Nikon D500 is in burst mode and can shoot ten frames per second. Though fast, many cameras even have a higher count.

The cannon blast produces a lot of heat, smoke, and sparks. The photo shows what the eyes can't. That's why I zoom in often on cannon shots. I'll review it immediately on my camera to see if I captured a good one. I was happy this day!

1) I remember taking this photo vividly. It happened at the Battle of Ft Lee in late November 2017. The sun was setting, and the light was perfect. Plus, where the cannon was in the shade. These were just ideal photography conditions. 

Many times, after a firing, I'll review what I took before the cannon crews can resume again. After taking this photo, I thought it would be great, and it was a wow. I shared it with a photo friend next to me, who said the same thing. Just a spectacular shot!

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 61 will be posted in July 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

I started reviewing all my galleries to find the best ones. I chose 80, possibly good ones to feature. Selecting my best ones was challenging, but I initially chose my top 10. 

10) The photo below is from the Battle of Germantown in 2016. After viewing it, a gun crew reenactor told me they had changed their safety procedures. The gun crews didn't realize how far out the blast went. One of my photos helped; such a good feeling.

9) This photo is different from all my other top 10 cannon photos. It was snowing at the Battle of Trenton in 2012. Looking closely, you can see the Chase (the barrel) exuding so much heat that the snow melts. 

8) This photo I've always liked. Part of it it's a simple composition, and the lighting is perfect. It's one of my best earlier photos, from the Assault at Fort Mercer in 2008.

7) After the flame from a cannon blast comes the smoke, most times, it swirls around like a morning fog. At other times it's a ball of fire with small pieces of flaming sparks, like here. This photo is from the Battle of Trenton in 2011. 

6) I often zoom in as closely as possible with my long lens on the cannon burst. If the background is dark, like in this photo from the Battle of Germantown in 2013, I get an almost painting-like effect from the smoke. It almost doesn't look like a photo at first glance.

Thank you for reading! Next month I'll review my top 5 cannon photos.

Blog # 59 will be posted in June 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

They are from the 30s and 40s, especially the film noir (dark film) genre. You may have never heard of this category before? Their popularity was during the mid to late 40s. This film style was gritty and urban, with stark lighting, flawed heroes, and shady characters. Fun movies to watch; you will be hooked! My favorites are Laura, The Maltese Falcon, and Double Indemnity. 

After a reenactment when reviewing my event gallery, I'll determine if the photo should be in color or B&W. For my reenactment portraits, so many of them color it doesn't have the same emotional impact! What do you think?

This photo is from the Washington Crossing event in 2018. It's George Washington using his spyglass to view the other side of the Delaware River, my favorite B&W photo.

Portraits make great B&W photos. Here is a perfect example. In color this photo, from the Assault on Ft Mercer 2022 event doesn't inject the look of a tired, veteran America Revolution soldier. In blog #55, I explained taking this photo. 

This photo is from the Battle of Germantown 2017. It looks like it was taken in a photography studio. The natural light and his expression make for a beautiful photo which I discuss in blog #25.

I captured many good photos including this one, at the Washington Crossing 2017 event.The rowers were lining up to board the Durham boats. Converting him to B&W heightens his rugged features.

This photo was also taken at the at the Washington Crossing 2017 event. Instead of a rower he is a soldier. The B&W intensifies his weariness of the moment. If photography existed that Christmas night in 1776 this is how the soldiers would have looked!  

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 59 will be posted in May 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

Luckily, one of my photo friends keeps me updated on future events. The first one usually occurs in April. There are fewer now because of our country's political environment. Many reenactments have now become festivals meaning reenactors are not allowed to fire volleys at each other. Why?

As my photo friend explained, many states in our area have enacted gun laws & that ban face-to-face encounters. So now is the time to attend an American Revolution reenactment while you still can. Here are five reasons why.

1) Learning about our country's beginnings is essential.  Many reenactors are experts on this period of history and are knowledgeable about the battles and 18th century colonial history.

This photo is one of my favorites. I took it at the Battle of Trenton in 2012. The setting was perfect because it was snowing. We all read how difficult it was for Washington and his men to cross the Delaware River. I dressed warmly that day, but it was still cold. Imagine what it must have been like for Washington's army without sufficient clothing and many without shoes. The sacrifices these men made are implausible!

2) You will always meet interesting people. I know many of the reenactors because I've been photographing these events for so long. But at every reenactment, I meet someone new, including spectators. I snapped this reenactor after a cannon demonstration at the Assault at Ft. Mercer 2022 event. Where else can you take a photo like this?

3) There are so many subjects to photograph at a reenactment. Sure, there are the reenactors, camp life, and the reenactments with all the cannons and muskets firing away, But, there is so much more. I saw a reenactor at the Battle of Short Hills 2017, walking this cute, friendly dog and asked if I could take his photo. I sat on the ground, saw those beautiful eyes and inviting smile, and took a few shots. This photo always makes me smile!

4) At most events, there will be children's activities. Many times, it will be drilling the "troops." I always get a laugh watching the kids playing soldiers and the amused adults watching.  I took this photo at the Ft Mifflin 2022 event.

5) At many larger reenactments, sutlers (merchants) will attend to sell their wares. So, if you were seeking 18th-century clothing or shoes, you can find them at these events. Now, some focus to reenactors, and others, such as my friend Ron Mehalko founder of Revolution Wear, cater primarily to spectators since he sells quality merchandise pertinent to the Revolution. This photo is from the Revolutionary Germantown Festival in 2023.

To learn more about the American Revolution, I recommend my friend's site, Harry Schenawolf, Revolutionary War Journal, whose website has a wealth of information on the people involved and battles that make our country's founding so fascinating. He's incorporated many of my photos into his articles. Thanks, Harry!

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 58 will be posted in April 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

After parking and wandering around, I spotted the Thomas Clarke House. Here is where American General Hugh Mercer was wounded in the battle, carried to the field hospital, and died nine days later.

Below shows the crowd gathering as the reenactment was starting. The news said there were about 800 spectators. This reenactment was unusual because it began early at 9:30 am and ended around 2:00 pm, with the reenactment starting at 10:00 am. That's early! Wawa the convenience store headquarted near my home was there to provide free coffee. On a cold day it tasted perfect.

With this photo, I envisioned first how to construct it. I was on the main road looking down at the sloped open field. I moved around until I could capture the crowd, road sign, and the most challenging part, some reenactors in the photo. It created a special triangle effect.

I don't have a photo like this before, I believe. It shows the flash when the flint struck the steel lip igniting the black powder in the flash pan. It's just before the flash explosion. It's incredible with photos that you can see something in a new way that your eyes cannot! 
Only eight days after George Washington's victory, Hessian forces garrisoned in Trenton, New Jersey, defeated a force of British troops near Princeton, New Jersey. Although the two battles of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton were relatively small, they did help the morale of the patriot cause and helped increase many recruits to join the Continental Army. The photo below gives an idea of how the battle might have looked.

With all the muskets & cannons blasting away, it was hard to see clearly with the swirling wind and blowing smoke. During a real battle, it was almost impossible to see anything.

At any reenactment with cannons, I will capture a few good shots of flashes from at least one. I posted 11 in this gallery. At no previous reenactment event did I ever have so many excellent cannon photos. Here is the photo gallery link American Revolution Photos |Battle of Princeton 2023

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 57 will be posted in March 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

For 2022, this is my top choice. Good photos tell a story, and this one does that. It's from the 1777 Whitemarsh reenactment. Notice the reenactor on the right pondering. Everyone else is looking to the left, but he's looking down, thinking of something. About what?

Was it to decide on what type of wine for dinner? Or when is his upcoming dentist visit? That's what makes this photo special. You don't know.

This reenactor asked me to take his photo at the Assault on Ft Mercer event. One of my photo friends recommended me to him. I found a quiet secluded spot near some trees and took about ten shots in ten minutes. I decided to use my Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens. This lens blurs out the background. I knew later it needed to be converted to b&w in post-production. Here he resembles an 18th-century soldier, weathered and battle-scarred. 

National events, such as the Battle of Brandywine, have many reenactors. It is impressive when they are in formation, especially the British soldiers. Yet it must have been frightening to watch in an actual battle. That's the feeling I wanted to reproduce.

To make the British troop formation feel massive, I was on my stomach and held the camera as close to the ground as possible, shooting upwards. The image, with a gray sky, gives a sense of foreboding!

This photo is of Washington's Life Guards at the Frye House at Washington's Crossing. This photo shows the officers starting to gather to discuss strategy for crossing the Delaware River. 

A reenactor spitting the paper from biting a cartridge while loading a musket is a photo I've been attempting to capture for years. When loading the musket, the cartridge black powder is first placed in the priming pan and the rest in the muzzle, followed by the ball and wadding. This photo of Noah "Ned Hector" Lewis, whom I had a blog interview about six months ago, shows that at the event at Ft Mercer.

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 56 will be posted in February 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

On a beautiful Sunday morning in late September, I drove the short distance, ten miles, to the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine American Revolution reenactment. It was a National Event. What is that? 

Simply, it's a big event with more reenactors and programming. Each year around three large event sites are chosen. The last year this event was held here was in 2017. I'm fortunate to live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where many important American Revolution events occurred.

How do I learn the dates of all the many American Revolution reenactment events? Two leading websites for the original 13 colonies, the British Brigade and the Continental Line, post reenactment schedules and unit websites. The midwest states have a separate reenactment organization, The North West Territory Alliance (NWTA). 

One of the reasons I enjoy attending a Sunday event is the Christian religious service. Usually, it starts around 10 am. This year, George Washington attended! I wrote about this, Reenactment Religious Observances, in blog #33,

This reenactment was one of the bigger ones I've attended since before the pandemic. This panoramic photo gives you an idea of how big it was. 

Here are the tentative national events scheduled for 2023.

Monmouth Battlefield-June 17-19

Fort Loudoun-September 30-October 1

In the morning, there was a recognition dedication of the Mass Grave on the battlefield. All the troops assembled. And an opening prayer was given by the Continental Reverend. 

Most American Revolution reenactments are rendered on the actual battle site, so reenactors want to show their respect for the brave soldiers who fought these battles. These ceremonies are always quite moving.

At a big event with so many reenactors, you can get a feel of how impressive having so many troops assembled is. For this photo, I was on the ground shooting upwards. It shows a different angle and perspective. 

The goal for me of any reenactment is to capture at least one excellent cannon shot. This one does that.

If you look closely at the photo, you might recognize Noah Lewis (Ned Hector), with whom I did a 3-part blog interview a few months ago. When portraying Ned Hector in many reenactments, he is a bombardier. What is that? It's an artilleryman during the American Revolution. 

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 55 will be posted in January 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

After leaving the train station, I was in Philly's Chinatown neighborhood. It's a fun place to people watch and, of course, food. But, the museum area was still five blocks away.

On my route was the National Constitution Center. It's a great museum I've visited a few times. Funny, I wrote this blog on September 17, National Constitution Day!

Diagonally across the street from the museum is the Christ Church Burial Ground. Benjamin Franklin is buried here. His funeral on April 21, 1790, was massive; at least 20,000 people attended. At that time, Philadelphia only had about 28,000 residents!

I was walking south on N 5th Street, which turns into S 5th Street, towards The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. The last time I visited the area, over two years ago, they were closed. 

The museum in the photo below is behind the bright red tourist bus. Now admission to the museum is free, how great is that! I visited for about 30 minutes.

Across the street was the Liberty Bell. Of course, that is a popular tourist destination.

 I had sub lunch at a Wawa, a chain of almost 1,000 convenience stores and gas stations located along the East Coast. Their headquarters is only a few miles from my home. 

Walking east on Chestnut Street for about three blocks was my destination, the Museum of the American Revolution. I was able to visit for a few hours. What fun!

In blog # 4, I wrote of my day at the museum. When you're in Philadelphia, it's a must-see.

Thank you for reading! Blog # 53 will be posted in December 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

How, then, to describe Mt. Harmon MD?

This excerpt is from their website Home - Mount Harmon Plantation

Mount Harmon Plantation originated as a land grant of 350 acres to Godfrey Harmon by Caecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, in 1651. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Mount Harmon prospered as a tobacco plantation. As you drive down the two-mile lane, through the tunnel formed by Osage orange trees, you will appreciate the isolation of those times, when transportation moved most freely by water. Three of the owners during the period had their own schooners to transport tobacco to the British Isles and return with furnishings and necessities for the house and farm.

There was no major American Revolution battle here or anywhere in MD. The closest was when General Howe landed 13,000 troops in Elkton, formally Head of Elk, during the Philadelphia campaign in 1777. 

It took me a little over an hour to get there. It was on a very, very hot Sunday. Some activities were canceled due to the extreme heat.  What's great about a reenactment is that you never know what to expect.

At this event were Spanish reenactors. I never saw that before. In this photo, they were praying before the reenactment battle. 

Attending reenactment events on Sunday is always fun. A Christian religious service, most times, will be held. I always try to participate.

Having special events for spectators happens often. One of the most popular events is the children's drill with wooden muskets. They pretend their 18th-century soldiers, and the highlight is when they charge with a loud scream. Fun.

When you visit Mt Harmon, you notice Brick Georgian Manor House circa 1730, surrounded by 200 acres of open space. This vastness is evident during the reenactment because when the reenactors are scattered far from the mansion, I can't get good photos even with my long lens. Pictures like this show the scope of this reenactment. Here is the link to the photo gallery. Thank you for reading! Blog # 52 will be posted in November 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

My first blog doesn't at all resemble the format I use now. The layout, font, etc., are different. In my four-plus years writing this monthly blog, I've conducted interviews, visited historical sites, discussed many of my photos, reviewed many reenactment events, and even described a reenactment wedding I photographed in KY. Fun, fun, fun!

I remember my first blog interviewing David Hospador in June 2018. Wow-that time went by quickly. My first thought was to interview him at the Battle of Monmouth event. I bought a recorder to record the interview. He suggested reviewing the questions at home, where he had more time to think of his responses. Great idea! I have continued this technique with all my other blog interviews.

What photos do I include in this blog? I've already discussed so many of my best images before, so which ones? Then I realized some of my photos are unique. 

This one with the reflection of the Delaware River in George Washington's spyglass is a good example. In blog #24, I reviewed this photo and the one with the black powder poured from the cartridge into the flash pan.  Again both, one of a kind. This photo was from Germantown in 2012. I discussed it in blog #26. It became one of my first good and unique reenactment photos. I have many pan-firing photos, but none like this, with metal-looking slivers flying everywhere. When first posting this photo, I had no idea how rare this particular photo is!

Over three years ago, I had the honor to photograph a reenactment wedding in Louisville, KY. I describe my KY trip in blogs #s 11, 12, and 13. What a wonderful experience that was. Plus, the day before the wedding, I was able to visit a replica of Fort Boonesborough, a frontier fort founded by Daniel Boone and his men in 1775. As a child, my favorite TV show was Daniel Boone starring Fess Parker. Are you old enough to remember that show?

And lastly, one of my recently taken photos that, for me, resembles an actual war photo. In blog #41, Chadds Ford 2021, I discuss this photo. Through creative manipulation, I created one of my more powerful photos. Every time I see it, I get a different reaction.

I'm preparing for my next milestone, blog # 100. I hope to have at least five new, unique, never seen images to showcase!
Thank you for reading! Blog # 52 will be posted in October 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

Below is a photo of Noah that I found by accident when researching for another blog. He is very active in the Philadelphia region.

6) What are your thoughts on the future of American Revolution reenactment events?

I am really concerned about the willingness of our present-day culture to change the facts of the past because we like them. The other day I was approached and told not to talk about the musket. When I asked why I was told it was too scary. I replied don’t you think people should know it was an everyday tool of our colonial ancestors and not just a weapon for war? It was used for protection of home, hunting, and driving off predators by men, women, and children. I think if you give incomplete information, wise decisions are harder to make.

7) During the American Revolution, most free & escaped enslaved African Americans fought for the British. Is this a topic you also discuss in the presentations?

Yes! I label it “Black People Choosing Sides”. At first I was astounded by the fact that twice as many American Blacks fought on the British side as versus the American side. But as I thought about it, it made sense. The main driving force for the patriots was the country’s independence and their personal freedom. For us Black People, the predominant driving force was our personal freedom. And many of the American Black People made the choice of the side that was most likely to give that freedom. After all, it’s never good to be on the losing side. On the American side, an enslaved Black person, as a general rule, you were not promised your freedom. In fact, when Gen. Washington took over the army in Cambridge Massachusetts, he was bothered by the amount of armed Black people in his army. He was so bothered that he issued orders forbidding the recruiting of any Blacks soldiers in the Continental Army, enslaved or free. Later after reconsidering he changed his orders to allow free blacks people to be recruited. You may have considered that he could have these people fighting for him or against him. Also Lord Dunsmore, the Loyalist governor of Virginia, would make the proclamation saying that all enslaved Black People, belonging to rebels, in Virginia, if they would rise up and fight for the crown, they will be given their freedom! Now think about it and pretend you don’t know the outcome of this war. Who do you really think is going to win in a fight between Great Britain and a bunch of farmers and business people? Our American men are brave and are willing to fight, but they’re not well trained soldiers. However, the British are well-trained, well led, well supplied. It seems obvious who is going to win. On the American side, you as an enslaved black person, as a policy are not promised your freedom, but the British are promising freedom. So if you have a choice to make, what side would you pick? I must say I do find it astounding that so many Black People, slave or free, chose to fight for a country that had enslaved their people, not knowing if they were going to have their own freedom or not by the end of this war, but yet they fought! By the end of the war, 10 to 25% of Washington’s Army would be People of Color.

8)  Many of our nation’s founders were enslavers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and even Benjamin Franklin. Should our opinions on their accomplishments be reevaluated?

Oh yes! Just like anything else, when we learned new information we reassess our perspectives. Where that reassessment will take us, I guess that’s up to the individual. I do believe this, the more complete information we have the better we can make our judgments and the better we can decide what we want to learn from it.

Below is a recent photo of Noah taken at Valley Forge  National Historic Park.

9) What resources, books, websites, etc., would you recommend learning more about African Americans during the American Revolution?

Of course, I invite everyone to come to my website, www.nedhector.com to learn more.

Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery-lwfsm.com

Africans In America-www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home

I suggest visiting the many historical sites to learn and get a feel of history.

*             Museum of the American Revolution-www.amrevmuseum.org

*             Chadd’s Ford-www.chaddsfordhistory.org

*             Brandywine Battlefield-www.brandywinebattlefield.org

*             Bartram’s Garden-www.bartramsgarden.org

*             Mount Vernon-www-mountvernon.org

*             Valley Forge National Historical Park-www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

*             Independence National Historical Park-www.nps.gov/index.htm

*             Swedish Cabin-www.dcva.org

*             Daniel Boone Homestead-www.thedanielboonehomestead.org

*             Paoli Battlefield-www.pbpfinc.org

*             Cliveden-www.cliveden.org

*             Thomas Massey House-thomasmasseyhouse.org

*             Morton House-www.parrett.net

*             Peter Mott House-www.petermotthouse.org

*             Mouns Jones House-historicpreservationtrust.org

*             Deshler Morris House-www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/germantownwhitehouse

*             New Sweden Centre-www.colonialnewsweden.org

*             Washington Crossing State Park-www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/WashingtonCrossingHistoricPark      

*             Hope Lodge-www.ushistory.org/hope

*             Fort Mercer-www.sitesofnj.com/New_Jersey/Gloucester_County/Fort_Mercer/Web_Pages/Fort-Mercer

*             Fort Mifflin-www.ushistory.org/march/phila/mifflin

*             Monmouth Battlefield-www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks

*             Landis Valley Museum-www.landisvalleymuseum.org

*             Atwater Kent Museum-www.philadelphiahistory.org

*             Mercer Museum-www.mercermuseum.org

I have found the following books to be helpful:

“An Imperfect God” by Henry Wiencek

“Negro President – Thomas Jefferson and the Slave Powers” by Gary Wills

“The Negro in Eighteenth Century Williamsburg” by Thad W. Tate

“Black Courage 1775-1783” by Robert Ewell Greene

“Black Heroes of the American Revolution” by Burke Davis

“How the Irish became White” by Noel Ignatiev

“Forten The Sailmaker” by Esther M. Douty

“1619-1784 Braving the New World” by Don Nardo

“Rough Crossings” by Simon Schama

“Following the Drum – Women at the Valley Forge Encampment” by Nancy K. Loane

“African Americans in Pennsylvania” by Charles Blockson

“The Philadelphia Campaign: Brandywine and the Fall of Philadelphia” by Thomas McGuire

“The Surprise at Germantown or the Battle of Cliveden” by Thomas McGuire

“The Nagle Journal” by John C. Dann

“The Revolution Remembered” by John C. Dann

“A Great Improvisation” by Stacy Schiff

“The Floating Brothel” by Sian Rees

“The Negro in the American Revolution” by Benjamin Quarles

“Phillis Wheatley” by Merle Richmond

“Race and Revolution” by Gary Nash

10) Is there another question I should have asked?

Yes! But it is not a question that you should have asked me. It is a question you should ask us as Americans. If a building is no better than the material it is built out of, then will a better knowledge of us as a people help us to become better people? We are the material that our country is made up of.

Thank you for reading! Blog # 51 will be posted in September 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

His first interview was exemplary, this one is even better! In this blog, I'll post questions 1-5, and next month questions 6-10.

I want to thank Noah for sharing and expressing his sentiments so powerfully. 

1) In your first interview, you mentioned conducting geological research on your family. What have you learned so far?

I was actually able to get back to 1800 in the northeastern corner of North Carolina in Northampton and Hereford County to Noah Lewis and Leah Scott. There hit a wall that I was unable to get past. I suspect they were Meherrin natives. These two people are the reasons I started searching the American Revolution. After all, 1800 is not that far from the American Revolution. Finding these two was amazing for the following reasons. First, I found their marriage bond dated 1823. Noah was 23 years old. What was so amazing about that? It implied that he was a free man. Slaves were not allowed to formally get married. You’re probably curious about the term “marriage bond”. I was too. It turned out that during that period of time a man would have to put up a $300 bond if he wanted to get married. The bond here is much like a bail bond. It was to guarantee something, in this case, the fidelity of the man. Since information traveled so slowly, a man could marry a woman under deceptive circumstances. He could be for instance a bigamist, a swindler, or a fugitive from the law. If this was the case, and the marriage was annulled, the woman would find herself being considered as damaged goods. She would use that money to try to restart her life.

The reason I suspect being a Meherrin native is they live in the area of Murfreesboro, North Carolina where my relatives are. My relatives back then owned a lot of land next to the reservation. Physically, I am a light skinned black man. The last named Lewis appears in the tribe. When the tribe was decimated, many of the members went and lived among the black people. Other members would pass as white. I verified that I had a native American connection via a DNA test. Why wouldn’t this information had been passed down to the descendents? During this period of time, especially in this particular area, the last thing you wanted anyone to know is that you are a native. Have you ever heard of the Trail of Tears?

My efforts to trace my genealogy in the colonial period are what lead me to discover Ned Hector and colonial African-American history. Although not related to Ned Hector, what I learned was an eye opening experience.

2) Have your school classroom visits changed after COVID, such as integrating technology?

I have had to expand my efforts to communicate my information. I have developed some virtual presentations in which I retain some elements of interactivity. I’ve learned to speak through mask and face shields. Taking some clues from our colonial ancestors, I’ve learned to teach colonial dancing using handkerchiefs. In some cases I have learned to use PowerPoint to enhance my presentations. In some cases, when doing presentations outside or in large venues separated from my audience, I have utilized portable PA systems. Sometimes you do what you have to do, to do what you need to do.
3) What are your thoughts on critical race theory, and have you introduced this topic in your presentations?

I have been told so many different things about the critical race theory that I decided I’m going to leave that to those that want to tussle about what it is and is not. What I’m going to do is convey history as clearly and honestly as I can with the hope that it will bring us together as better people.

4) Since you’ve presented in public schools for many years, what history curriculum changes do you believe are needed?

Over the years that I’ve been working with schools I have noticed a slow removal of history as a subject out of the curricula. Since history is not part of the STEM core curricula, in many schools it has been relegated to social studies or deemphasized as a lesser subject. I have a fear that there will come a time when our nation will have no idea where our government came from, how it operates, and how to maintain it. Ignorance does more damage than anything I know off. I believe that we need a fuller and more complete history taught, so we can learn from our mistakes.

5) Have you been a mentor to students or have exciting stories to share?

I haven’t had anyone follow me around that I have acted as a teacher for, but I have had situations where I was told that what I did affect it individuals in my audience. At a presentation at Freedoms Foundations in Valley Forge, I was told of a young Asian boy from California that told his teacher that now he knew he fit in America as part of the e pluribus unum in reaction to something I said during my presentation. I was very moved. At the Graeme House Park, a woman walked up to me and said, “You probably don’t remember me, I was a little girl when I first saw you. You are the reason I started reenacting. Later that evening, while after a doing presentations at my station in the house, a little girl came up to me and said, “I like what you’re doing. I want to do it to.” I told her today’s your lucky day. I directed her to the woman I talked to earlier that day, and told her to talk with her. When our evening was done, the woman told me that they had signed her up as a junior helper. Some time ago I had a young man tell me that I inspired him to become reenactor. I often wonder if I’m really doing any good. Then I am reminded that you never know how your message is affecting people.

Since the last blog I did for Kenneth a couple things happened. I was given the honor by the Brandywine Battlefield Park to represent them as their, “2022 Volunteer of the Year”. I was thrilled to speak for the Daughters of the American Revolution at a dedication of a historical plaque for a Black Revolutionary War soldier named Oliver Cromwell in Burlington New Jersey. Crooked Billet School was built where a skirmish of the Revolutionary War occurred. About three years ago, the school was torn down and rebuilt. In the rotunda area they honored Ned Hector by putting a picture of me as the artillerist Ned Hector on a wall mural. On April 29, 2022 I had the honor of presenting Ned to the students there.

Thank you for reading! Blog # 50 will be posted in August 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

In blog # 25, I said about this photo.  

The focus of this photo is the Native American warrior. Both American & British troops surround him. Who's he attacking? You can't tell. I knew this would make a great photo when the warrior extended his arm with a ball-headed war club.

I accentuated him further in a comprehensive photo editing program, ON1 Software, by adding blur and movement. These few minor editing changes make this photo unique!

This photo is from the Philadelphia Campaign 1777 2012 gallery. My first thought on this photo is how the colors are bright and dynamic. This clarity is unusual since most reenactments are held right after lunch, the worst time of day for taking photographs because of the harsh light. I applied the radial blur filter moderately to augment movement.

Photo blurring, moving the camera side to side at a moderate speed, is not an exact science. It's trial and error, and sometimes you get lucky. I did with this photo from the Battle of Germantown in 2011. The streaks of color make this photo appear like a painting. Just a pleasing image, hard to replicate.

Attending the annual Washington Crossing the Delaware reenactment should be on everyone's bucket list! In blog #31, I wrote

By far, December is my busiest reenactment event month. In some years, there is an event every weekend. Washington's Crossing is the big one. It's two separate events. The first one is a practice festival held about two weeks before the main crossing on Christmas Day. Both are fun. But, the Christmas event is the busiest of the two; it's a family tradition with hundreds attending religiously year after year. My focus both days is capturing outstanding photos of George Washington, recently portrayed by John Godzieba. His resemblance to George Washington is remarkable!

This photo is from the practice event in 2018. I added the radial blur filter to add more focus to the subject, General Washington.

This photo was from the Jockey Hollow encampment in 2012. During the marching /drilling demonstration, the reenactors fixed bayonets and slowly moved towards the public behind a split rail fence. The first time you experience this, it doesn't feel very comforting. Can you only imagine this during an actual battle? Terrifying!

I added the radial blur filter to emphasize movement. Reduced the filter amount on the faces. I took this same shot other years, but this is still the best one!

Thank you for reading! Blog # 49 will be posted in July 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

Reenactments educate and entertain spectators. Of course, they don't show the horrors and brutality of real American Revolution battles. Photography didn't exist yet! This photo from the Battle at Chadds Ford in 2021 reminded me of the great war WWII photographers. Two preeminent ones were Joe Rosenthal (flag raising at Imo Jima) and Robert Capa. You have seen their photos before.

When I finished processing this photo with the radial blur filter, it felt painfully realistic; so many soldiers in the American Revolution died in this horrific way. What do you think of it?

This photo is from the Battle of Monmouth in 2009. I have many excellent photos taken that day! To achieve this motion effect, I moved the camera back and forth slowly. This photo shows constant movement in all directions. My eyes are wandering everywhere-one of my favorite images. 

This photo is from the Battle of Germantown in 2011 with the continentals charging the Chew House. I converted it to B&W and used the technique of selective color, only coloring particular objects in the photo. The movement of the soldiers here is perfect. It's not easy to time the panning at just the right speed.

Here is another Battle of Germantown in 2012 photo of soldiers storming the Chew House. I used a radial filter in post-processing to produce this moving effect and reduced the filter amount on the charging soldiers near the steps.
This photo was from Mt Harmon in 2011. I remember vividly walking the grounds, and suddenly, these galloping dragoons rode directly towards me over a modest hill. Quickly, I knew this would make a fantastic panning photo! So, instead of moving the camera back and forth horizontally, I moved my 80-400 Nikon VR lens vertically, extending slowly to attain this effect. 

Thank you for reading! Blog # 48 will be posted in June 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

"I am blessed to have the opportunity to continue with this tribute, and to aid in helping others to appreciate the contribution we Black people made to the freedom of all Americans. There is a part of me that hopes the souls of these amazing contributors to our freedom will rest more peaceful by giving them the honor they were denied for so many years."

Noah and I speak at many reenactment events. Because of his background, I knew he would make a great interview. I asked him, and he immediately said yes. 

1) From your website www.nedhector.com, I learned you were born in Germany. Do you have any memories of that time?

Unfortunately not, I was 10 months old when our family returned to the America.

2) When did you relocate to the Philadelphia region?

We were living at Ft. Knox, KY when Dad decided to retire in 1965. We moved from there to Philadelphia. Afterwards, in 1966, we moved to Aldan in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

3) Your college degree is in biology? Have you always been interested in history too?

No. My interest in history came with my research in genealogy.

4) In your professional career, you were first a Bio-Medical Technician. Then you owned a small business. Did you ever believe your livelihood would eventually be presenting living history?

Absolutely not! In school I’m not what anybody would have described as a scholar. In high school I was still being given speech therapy. The thought of talking publicly frightened me. Although I was not a discipline problem, I just really struggled in my academic classes. The last two years of high school I went to vo-tech for a half day. I remember when I graduated I went to my guidance counselor to let her know I was going to college. She said to me,”Oh no! don’t do that. I don’t think you will be able to make it.” The shame about it is, knowing my grades, I could understand why she would say something like that. I never saw my future where I would be talking to large audiences, writing scholarly research papers, and doing heavy duty historical research. I guess you never know where God will to lead you.

5) You stated it all started when presenting to your daughter’s fourth-grade class on biology over twenty-five years ago. And by chance, the teacher asked if you could also teach on Colonial America. Do you view that incident today as fate?

Well, I never saw it coming. I don’t know if I would say fate. I believe there is another source that guides our lives. During the time when my daughter’s fourth grade class was happening I was also doing geological research on my family. I managed to get back to 1800 on my dad’s side. I hit a brick wall and couldn’t get back any further. I started thinking, well, 1800 isn’t that far from the American Revolution. Maybe I might find something there. I didn’t. But I started learning a lot of things about Black colonial people. To appreciate what I am going to say, you have to know that what I thought about black colonial people were. I believed that they all were slaves, that they all were poor, and if they were in the military they were nothing but manual laborers. If this was true I really didn’t have any interest in Black history during this period.

6) How did you learn about the patriot Ned Hector, the soldier you portray?

During my research, I came across a book written by Charles Blockson called Black Genealogy. In this book, I learned about a man named Edward Hector. He was a bombardier and the teamster with Proctor’s Third Pennsylvania Artillery. He was nothing like what I thought colonial blacks were. He was a free man. He was with an elite fighting unit, the artillery. He was a soldier that fought in the Battle of Brandywine and Germantown. In the Battle of Brandywine he was noted for his heroic actions to save his wagon, horses, and armaments in the face of a British charge. And this was after he had been ordered to retreat and abandoned them. He was one of the first Black people to live in Conshohocken. He was so well regarded in his home community of Conshohocken that 16 years after his death, the people in this newly formed town in 1850, petitioned to name a street after him. I don’t know too many things named after Black people around 1850.

7) Have you changed your presentations/talks because of the recent civil unrest & racial inequality incidents?

Good question! Through the years, I’ve started noticing that people seem to think of American history as their history and our history. I thought to myself that can’t be right. Whatever history it is, it is our history! We African-Americans tend to think of America’s multi-ethnic history as part of our history. In the same way, a non-African-Americans should embrace African American history as part of their. It’s not those peoples history, it is our history. Another thing that bothered me is although our culture is multi-ethnic, we really don’t tell about the Germans, Irish, Polish, women, Jews, Scottish, and so many other subgroups that make us Americans. So as I can I try to talk about other groups.

8) Besides presenting in schools and at reenactments, how else do you educate folks on the American Revolution and Ned Hector?

I write articles for historical publications. I have found many of the historical sites, like Cliveden, Washington’s Crossing, Chadds Ford, have been open to including articles in their program books when they have a reenactments. Also many of the historical sites have made efforts to put up permanent displays that talk about the African-American like, the Museum of American Revolution, the National African American Museum in Washington DC, Valley Forge National Park, so it can be seen all year around. I appreciate institutions like this magazine that allows me to share the story with their readers. From time to time I am in videos, and TV broadcast. I was allowed to be in the video for the visitor center at the Valley Forge National Park and Washington’s Crossing. I feel all of these are important because they are helping all of us Americans to understand our history.

9) What do you hope adults and especially children will learn from speaking with you about Black soldiers in Colonial America?

I am hoping that our children will be a lot less ignorant than we were about our history. I am hoping we black people will realize what a significant contribution we played in the founding of this country. I am hoping that the nonblack ethnic groups will understand.

10) Is there a question I should have asked?

What is it you hope to achieve by doing Ned Hector? First, I hope to bring honor to a group of Americans that whose history was buried and ignored, who deserved our countries gratitude.

Secondly, I hope to instill in my fellow African Americans a sense of pride for knowing we African Americans were not only the poor, or enslaved, or just manual laborer. But African Americans made a significant contribution to this country becoming independent.

Thirdly, I hope to bring awareness to all Americans that African American history is American history and should be embraced by all Americans, because their actions helped us all to be free.

Lastly, with this awareness I hope we will come to appreciate each other the way that we should.

Thank you for reading and Noah-Ned Hector for a great interview! Blog # 46 will be posted in  May 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

I seem to like tin cups? Why, it's a simple subject and always seems to catch my attention. I have a few similar photos and, this is the best. I zoomed in very tight and used ON1 photography software to give it an antique look. What do you think?

Can you guess where this picture is? Hint, I've photographed reenactment events here and, it's one of the most magnificent homes in America. 

I shot it in 2017 at Mt Vernon, a photographer's paradise. I remember constructing this shot vividly. I was in the Lower Garden where the fruits and vegetables are grown, adjacent to the mansion.

In the distance, I noticed sheep grazing with a small shed framed between a bevy of trees, a storage shed, with a bright puffy blue sky. It is the perfect setting and a wonderful photo.

This one I took in 2014 at the Battle of Brandywine is just funny. It puts a smile on my face every time I see it.

When reviewing all my photo event galleries, I noticed having many excellent horse photos. Why? I have no idea? I've only ridden a horse a few times. And to be honest, I don't want to ride one again. But, they make great subjects.

Do you have any idea where I took this photo? Probably not. I took it in 2016 at Ft Mifflin in Philadelphia. The fort has many underground tunnels. Under the flag pole is this tunnel. At it's entrance, I noticed the sunlight shining brightly. Immediately, I went down to one knee and took a few shots. This one is the best. I knew this would look great in B&W.

Another photo that makes me smile is from the Battle of Short Hills in 2017. This small dog was walking his reenactor owner. His ebullient expression makes this a great photo. After asking to take his picture, I sat on the ground to get on his level. Look closely, and you can see the catchlight (a light source reflected off the surface of the eye) image of me. Photos like this I never forget taking!

Thank you for reading. Blog # 46 will be posted in April 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

I examined my numerous photo galleries on this website, over 7,800 photos, and selected my favorite ten non-reenactment photos. Many of them I haven't seen in years. 

I have numerous examples of horse photos. These two are my favorites. The first one was from the Battle of Brandywine in 2014. Sometimes, you get lucky. I noticed these horses moving their heads up and down in unison. To me, it appears like an optical illusion! Keep staring; you'll see it.

This other horse photo is just beautiful; taken at Mt Harmon in 2016. The light here is perfect. The horse glows. What a magical time of the day it was. The definition of photography is drawing with light. I did that here.

I took this marsh grass photo below taken at Ft. Mifflin in 2019 appears to me to be both an abstract and landscape photo together. It was fun to create. 

My shutter speed was set very slow, at 1/5 second while panning from side to side. I took many shots that day and, this one was the best. I also converted another similar photo to b&w. That one looks good too.

This photo brings back memories. It was taken at the annual Washington's Crossing event on Christmas in 2014. I was standing in the middle of the Washington's Crossing Bridge waiting for the Durham boats to cross the Delaware River from PA to NJ. It was cold, very cold that day with the wind blowing steadily. While waiting, I noticed the sun lighting up the trees further down the river. With the thick, puffy clouds I knew this would make a great photo. The hardest part was staying motionless. I did it.

A great photo opportunity always is a blacksmith demonstration. This photo shows a blacksmith from Ft. Mifflin in 2019. The blacksmith shop was in a small building at the back of the fort. I knew watching the blacksmith working on the anvil would make a great photo. My first thought was the appearance of making the hammer move. The building light wasn't good, so I set my ISO to 3200. To create motion, I moved my shutter speed to 1/80 of a second. That's moderately slow.

Thank you for reading. Blog # 45 will be posted in  March 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

This panorama inside Ft Mifflin during the recent Seige Weekend is the one I chose! I awarded myself a first place blue ribbon! In blog # 19, I featured another Ft Mifflin panorama. This time it, was the back of the fort near the Delaware River.

How did I create this one? I stitched ten photos together in Adobe Photoshop. I stood on the highest mound with an excellent view of the compound. My waist and legs were still and, I twisted 180 degrees left to right. Every few seconds would stop, shoot another shot, always trying to remain level. I tried this technique a few times. If you have program that can make panoramas, try to create one. It's fun.

This one was the best of the bunch. The clouds look great, the Delaware River is viewable in the top left corner, and the Philly skyline appears slightly in the top right corner! It's visible but, you need to look closely.

Plus, something significant happened to me this summer. My eyesight wasn't good. I needed cataract surgery in both eyes. The left eye was done in July (outpatient surgery) and, two weeks later, the right eye. Wow- seeing everything in focus again is incredible.

Mt. Vernon, George Washington's estate, nestled on the Potomac River, was my first reenactment of the year, held in May. I've been here a few times. It's a memorable mansion with numerous additional buildings and speculator landscaping. Slave labor built this plantation; let's not forget that.

In blogs #36 & #37, I review my trip. I didn't take many photos during this visit. I preferred to walk the grounds; it was a beautiful day.
Another event I wrote a blog about #38 was the Jacobsburg Historical Society-Revolutionary War Weekend held in late May. It was my first time attending. I had a difficult time photographing because my vision was awful. But, I was able to capture some good photos. Near the end of the event, the American troops depicted a deserter on trial. The reenactors enjoy adding these sketches to the event schedule.

In September, there was a new event, Battle at Chadds Ford blog # 41, to  commemorate the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. A festival event with many family activities. Always feels great to capture a good volley firing!

The Revolutionary Germantown Festival & Ft Mifflin are the two reenactment events I've attended the most often over the years. Both are close to my home. 

What makes my photos different at Cliveden from the other events is the many trees located around the house. The beams of sunlight shine sporadic light through from the musket volleys. It's a distinctive, very cool effect!  Every year at a Germantown reenactment, this happens like this photo.

Another event I attend almost every year is Washington's Crossing. They have two crossings. The practice one, about two weeks before the main event on Christmas Day. And the big one, on Christmas Day. Many families make this part of their annual Christmas celebration. 
This event was significant in the outcome of the American Revolution.  If George Washington & his troops failed in crossing the Delaware River and defeating the Hessians at Trenton, the American Independence cause was lost.

This event has so much significance. I met a photographer from CA working for a photo agency who had on his "bucket list" to attend this event. He wasn't disappointed. Later, he e-mailed me and said one of his photos was selected. Funny, the client is from London, England! I chuckled when reading this.

Thank you for reading! Happy New Year! Blog # 44 will be posted in February 2022. Be safe & well & please get the booster shot.

Ken Bohrer

At this event, I always capture spectacular images. The  2010 event was special for me. I photographed from the 2nd floor in the mansion. What a unique photographic experience!

For this month's blog, I asked Jocelyn Rouse, Marketing & Development Coordinator at Cliveden (Chew House), to be interviewed. This historic site, located in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution Battle of Germantown in 1777. The British 40th Foot, of about 120 men, barricaded the mansion. Washington's troops tried to penetrate it with no success. Thus, the American advance was halted. The battle was then lost.

1) Are you from the Philadelphia area? What is your educational background?

I am from the Philadelphia area, and spent my formative years in West Philadelphia, Germantown, and Mt. Airy neighborhoods. I grew up and graduated from schools in the Philadelphia School District and I received my bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University in 2010.

2) What types of jobs have you had in your career?

Before I came to Cliveden, I was an administrative assistant and secretary at a charter school for six years.

3) What are your primary responsibilities as the Marketing & Business Operations Coordinator at Cliveden?

My primary responsibilities are promoting all things Cliveden through a variety of channels such as social media, our website, banners on Cliveden’s front gate; designing marketing materials, processing donations, support senior staff members, and maintain donor information.

Thought it was funny the young boy wearing a coonskin cap at this event!

4) What have you learned about the Chew family and mansion that you didn’t know before working at Cliveden?

Before I worked at Cliveden, I didn’t know anything about the site or that it even existed, so working here has been a very eye-opening experience. I’ve learned that enslavement was in the North, and that the Chew family were participants; that Benjamin Chew, Sr. (1722-1810) was inspired to build his own summer home after spending time at Mt. Airy, the summer home of his friend William Allen; Ada Knowlton Chew (1877-1948) was a WWI veteran and after serving in France was instrumental in creating the Women’s Overseas Service League which is still in existence today. The list goes on and on.

5) Has Cliveden’s mission changed with all the civil unrest and racial inequality incidents happening in the US now?

Our mission has not changed, but we are even more determined to share Cliveden’s complex history and work with other historical sites to tell more stories about people who are often left out as well as being a safe space for uncomfortable conversations.

6) If someone asks why visit Cliveden, what would you say?

I would say people should visit because there is more to the site than meets the eye. Yes, the buildings and the Main House are amazing and yes, we are a Revolutionary War site, but it is the stories of everyone who was at Cliveden over its three centuries of history that really make this place special and can establish a link between the past and the present.

7) Amazingly, the house that was such an integral part of the Battle of Germantown is still standing. How was it able to survive all these years?

The Chew family was instrumental in preserving the house. The family members who come to mind in working to maintain Cliveden are Anne Sophia Penn Chew (1805-1892) who became Cliveden’s caretaker after the death of her father Benjamin Chew, Jr. in 1844; Samuel Chew III (1832-1887; we refer to him as ‘Centennial Sam’) who really established Cliveden as Revolutionary War site during the 1876 Centennial celebrations; Mary Johnson Brown Chew (1839-1927), Cliveden’s caretaker after Anne Sophia Penn Chew’s death and who also kept the property in the family in spite of the city and state governments seeking to have the family sell the property; Elizabeth Brown Chew (1863-1958) who maintained the property after her mother’s death and her brother Samuel Chew IV’s (1871-1919) death; and Samuel Chew V (1915-1989) who was Cliveden’s last owner. And of course, all those who worked and labored at Cliveden enabled it to be preserved as well.

Our staff has continued the family’s legacy as well. For example, we have Indow window inserts which protects the floors and collection from UV rays; we are in the process of having the chimney caps replaced, and our front gate on Germantown Avenue will undergo some restoration in the coming year.

8) How is the slavery issue addressed since the Chews at Cliveden held enslaved people?

We address it honestly and directly, and we make it clear that the Chew family’s wealth and status was based on enslaved laborers. In the Carriage House Visitor Center, we have our core exhibit Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, that juxtaposes the Declaration of Independence against the fact that the Chews had enslaved laborers and that the word life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness didn’t apply to all people. We are also constantly doing research in the Chew Family Papers, an archive housed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that has about 230,000 documents. This year, our Education Director looked through the Chew Family Papers for information about the enslaved laborers who worked on the Chew family’s properties in Maryland and Delaware, and in 2022 we are planning to share this research through public programs and a partnership with the African American Genealogical Society.

9) Because of this country’s gun violence epidemic, there have been discussions at Cliveden on whether to focus the annual Battle of Germantown on the reenactments or hold more of a festival event. Have any decisions been made?

As of now, we have an advisory task force that will help us plan programming around the Revolutionary Germantown Festival that includes more diverse stories of the American Revolution, and we will be working with our fellow Historic Germantown sites to have activities that highlight these stories during the festival.

10) Is there any question I should have asked?

I was thinking of something a little humorous and light-hearted; how about many cups of coffee do we drink in a year at the office?

Thank you for reading and Jocelyn for a wonderful interview. Blog # 43 will be posted in January 2022. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

I'm fortunate to live close to the Brandywine Battlefield Park site. It's only about 12 miles from my home.

The Battle at Chadds Ford reenactment was held at the Chadds Ford Historical Society to commemorate the Battle of Brandywine  on the same day as the original battle, September 11. The day was sunny and warm. I arrived around 10 AM and searched for my friends. 

The highlight of most events is the battle reenactments. They're loud, smoky from the muskets/cannons, and just entertaining. It's fun for the participating British and American troops too. Below is a photo from this event that feels eerily realistic of a British soldier being bayoneted. It's one of my more powerful photos.

Bayonets were the choice weapon for the British and Hessian troops during the American Revolution because of the inaccuracy of the musket. During the war, most major British attacks have a bayonet charge. 

The Chadds Ford Historical Society hosted a reenactment/festival event on September 11. It was the first time, I believe, at this site? The last time I remember a Brandywine event was in 2008? REENACTMENT PHOTO GALLERY

The focus of the day is the reenactments. It's fun to see reenactors of opposing sides interacting with each other! 

There were many fun activities, especially for the kids.

More fun activities for the kiddies. This time they got recruited and learned how to march.

And the recruits get younger all the time!

Sometimes photo opportunities happen unexpectedly. Like these 2 dogs getting to know each other better! 

Fun for the adults too, with live bluegrass music! They were good.

Thank you for reading. Blog # 42 will be posted in December 2021. Be safe & well and please get vaccinated!

Ken Bohrer

• ISO range: 100 – 51,200 
• Continuous Capture: up to 10 frames per second
• Video
• Tilt Screen

Here is my primary camera gear.

The most significant advancement in this camera is the significantly high sensitivity of the image sensor (ISO). Previously, I couldn't photograph high school night events with my long lens because the ISO couldn't go high enough. I can now set my ISO to 51,200. To put that in perspective, during film days, the highest ISO would be around 1,000! Game changer.
As a backup, I have the Panasonic/Lumix Mirrorless DMC-GF6 with a 14-42 mm lens. Because of this camera, I have some videos on my website. 

 I've had all my lenses for over a decade, and they work perfectly. My primary reenactment lens is the Nikon 80-400 4.5-5.6 VR. You'll see on the lens hood (decal from sutler-Ron Mehalko of Revolution Wear) my photo interest! About 75% of the photos on my website are from this lens. I can handhold it because of the VR feature, and I can zoom in close, very close. This photo is a perfect example.

Only because of my lens could I have taken this shot. Another reason is that my camera has a crop sensor that magnifies the lens more. In blog # 24, I described what this means

My Nikon DSLR (interchangeable lens) camera has a smaller crop sensor. It sees a narrower field of view. The good news is this smaller sensor magnifies my lenses by 1.5 times! Now my 80-400 mm lens becomes a 120-600mm. Also, to gain even more distance, I added a 1.4 converter which extends the lens even further. Now it's comparable to an 840mm. Why is this significant? The average eyes see around 50mm!

I'm using my Nikon 24-85 2.8-4 lens more now because of photographing camp life. When I first arrive at a reenactment, I go to the campsites. I can capture many interesting photos early in the morning like, this one from Mt Harmon 2019.

The lens I use less often is the ultra-wide 11-18 mm 4.5-5.6 Tamron lens and the fixed focal Nikon 50 mm 1.8 lens. For the wide-angle lens, I use it when I want a broader perspective of the reenactment site. This photo from Return to the Hook 20213 in VA shows that. This event has been one of the most incredible reenactments I've attended. On the first day, a full-scale replica cabin was created.  And later, on the last day it was burned to the ground. I was able to photograph from a tower, there were 2 of them, about 30-40 feet high. The vantage point for the reenactments was spectacular. I have no other photos similar to the one here.

I don't use the 50mm lens at reenactments often. I'll use it when roaming the Continental & British camps. To get good photos with this lens, you have to work the shot, move around and shoot from different perspectives. But that's what I want to do to get an excellent photo. Here's an example of that sharp lens from this photo from Battle of Germantown 2012.

I bring my Nikon Speedlight SB 900 flash only occasionally. If I know there will be finite natural light, such as inside buildings/cabins, then I will. Without the flash, I couldn't take this cabin photo of reenactors at Valley Forge 2017.