I selected numbers 6-10 of my favorite cannon shots in last month's blog. For this month, I'll review my five favorites. At any American Revolution reenactment that fires cannons, they are one of the spectator's highlights. Most kids shout approval, babies cry, dogs howl or bark, and adults are startled. 

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

When I started attending American Revolution reenactment events over a decade ago, one of the day's highlights was capturing at least one good cannon blast for those events that included artillery. Usually, I did get at least one good photo. At most reenactments with cannons, their firing usually starts the reenactment. It usually startles all participants, especially young children, and dogs. At my last event, I captured four terrific cannon blasts. Afterward, why not write a blog about my top 10 ones?

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

I first learned photography using film. My first SLR (single-lens reflex) camera was a Nikon 20-20. Those small film canisters had the most 36 exposures and were for either color or B&W. Through classes, I learned how to develop & print in B&W. It was fun creating unique photos by adding dodging & burning techniques. Now, with a digital Nikon D500 SLR camera, I'll later convert some images to B&W in a digital darkroom using On1 Software. My preference is B&W, even in the movies I mostly watch.

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 it 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

February is the month I start preparing for the new American Revolution reenactment year. To start, I'll review two sites, The Continental Line, recreated units representing the Continental Army, and The British Brigade, recreated units that served with the Crown Forces during the American Revolution. You can also find the event schedule for the Great Lakes region The North West Territory Alliance (NWTA).

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

Attending a new American Revolution Reenactment is always fun. You don't know what to expect. This time it was the Battle of Princeton on the first Sunday in January. This event has occurred sporadically over the years. One of my photo friends said to leave home at the site early, by 7:00 am. It was around 6:30 am when I started from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. The drive took me about 80 minutes. There was no traffic, so I was cruising, listening to the music of Bob Dylan. I arrived around 7:30 am, which I'm glad I did because parking was limited. I saw old friends, made some new ones, and by chance, spoke with the Executive Director of Ft. Mifflin in Philadelphia. I had a great day.

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

This blog is to recap the reenactment events I attended in 2022. I was at five regular and one national. Regrettably, because of a flat tire the night before, I missed one of my annual favorites the, Battle of Monmouth. And was cancelled because of bad weather, the Battle of Germantown. What luck!! Here are my five favorite photos of the year.

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

As mentioned before, I live in the Philadelphia, PA, suburbs. Because of the pandemic, it has been years since I had the opportunity to visit the Old City Cultural District and the Museum of the American Revolution. On a beautiful Saturday in early September, I obtained a free pass from our local library. They have various passes to museums and even a local zoo in the Philadelphia region. What a great perk. So, maybe your local library does the same? Check!

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

Have you heard the expression how time flies where time seems to move very or more quickly? That is how I felt a few months ago attending Mount Harmon's National Revolutionary War Reenactment & Colonial Festival. I couldn't believe it's been three years since I last visited. Why? Of course, the pandemic canceled every reenactment for almost two years. Plus, there seemed to be terrible weather one year, I believe a hurricane. 

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

Why am I celebrating my 50th blog with my 51st? Because I had posted part 2 of my fantastic interview with Noah "Ned Hestor" Lewis last month, his comments were too much for one blog. But now, I get to reflect on achieving 50 blogs. 

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

In last month's blog, I shared that my 2nd interview, questions 6-10, would be included in this posting. Noah “Ned Hector” Lewis had more insight for some more in-depth questions.

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

There were so many more questions I wanted to ask Noah “Ned Hector” Lewis after posting blog # 46. Soon afterward, I asked him to interview for another ten-question blog part 2. He graciously agreed.  For this interview, I wanted to ask more in-depth questions.

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 last month's blog, 10 American Revolution Reenactment Motion Blur Photos-6-10, I reviewed five photos using panning or radial blur filter. For this month, I'll discuss five more shots.

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