2008 Fall Gathering

The Manitoba Living History Society invites everyone to its Third Annual Fall Gathering at Fort Gibraltar on the weekend of 5-7 September 2008. Step back in time and visit the People of Red River, as they would have appeared circa 1815.

Available on site will be tours of the Fort and encampment, ongoing fur-trade era demonstrations (Blacksmithing, Paddle Making, Military drills, musket demonstrations, bannock making etc...), cooking on an open fire, workshops, presentations and games.

All participants must register in advance and appear in appropriate 18th or 19th century costume; these stipulations of course do not apply to members of the public who are welcome to observe free of charge (between the hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm) and are indeed encouraged to ask questions and take tours.

The event starts at 6:00 pm Friday and participants are welcome to camp in Whittier Park until 4-5:00 pm on the Sunday. Please inform us if you plan to camp overnight and what type of accommodation you'll be staying in. If you do not own a historical tent, please advise us ahead of time so we can allot room for you in the designated modern camp.

Events (subject to change):

• tour of Fort Gibraltar
• military drills
• fencing demonstrations
• blanket trading
• camp prizes
• blacksmithing
• bannock making
• butter churning
• paddle making
• settler skills competitions
• musket reliability competition (no live fire, $5.00 per person for powder, cartridges, and a prize)
• dessert competition
• activities for children

All participants are invited to participate in the St. Andrew's Society parade in honour of the Selkirk Settlers on Saturday.

Saturday evening supper and dance at 5:30 pm: soup, meat and bread provided.

Workshops:

• Friday afternoon: Setting up a teepee
• Friday 8:00 pm: Say it ain't so - myths of the fur trade
• Saturday 9:30 am: Using a draw knife
• Saturday 10:00 am: Bread making
• Saturday 1:00 pm: Doll making (make your own Selkirk Settler soft doll. Dolls are ready to stuff, add hair, face, clothes. Ideas and materials provided)
• Saturday 2:30 pm: Fire making with flint and steel including pipe lighting
• Saturday 5:00 pm: Dessert making judging
• Sunday 9:30-10:00 am: Non-denominational service
• Sunday 10:30 am: Leggings (bring your own melton cloth or buy on site for $10.00)
• Sunday 10:30 am: Blacksmithing (learn basic techniques and make a hook)
• Sunday 1:00 pm: Musket reliability
• Sunday afternoon: Selkirk Settlers skills competition
• Sunday 4:00 pm: awarding of all prizes

No modern camping on site. Wood, water and indoor washrooms provided. Bring ironware for cooking.

Setup Friday, noon to 8:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, no vehicles after 9:00 am. Take down Sunday, 4:00 pm.

To register, complete a registration form (PDF form) and send with payment to:

Carol Douglas
Box 675, RR 1
Dugald, Manitoba R0E 0K0
Canada
Email: ceilidh32@hotmail.com

The cost is $20.00 per family, $10.00 per individual (members), or $20 per individual (non-members). Fee includes camping, wood, modern washrooms, demonstrations, workshops, and Saturday supper. Please bring a vegetable/salad dish for Saturday supper. No alcohol permitted.