CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

Friday,

Friday, January 25

 

Noon – 5:00 P.M. – Vendors Open

 

Noon – 7:00 P.M. – Conference Check-In

Conference binder material from previous years will be available for a nominal fee.

 3:00 P.M. – Begin Hotel Room Check-In

 

1:00 - 3:00 P.M. – "Sitting and Knitting:  19th Century Knitting Basics"

            Presented by Suzy Beggin

“While men are making a free-will offering of their life’s blood on the altar of their country, women must not be idle.  We must do what we can for the comfort of our brave men.  We must sew for them, knit for them, nurse the sick . . . .”

From the diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire as printed in The Women of the South in War Times, by Matthew Page Andrews.

Why spend your time just sitting when you could be sitting and knitting?  The ideal woman of the 19th century was never idle, and it was a great compliment to be called industrious.  Here is your chance to become an industrious woman by spending your restful hours at reenactments knitting.

This workshop is intended for those with little or no experience knitting.  After a brief introduction on knitting during the Civil War, you will dive right in and learn to knit, purl, cast on, cast off, increase and decrease.  The $30 workshop fee includes needles, wool and a pattern for a small, historically accurate project which you will start, and possibly finish, during the workshop. 

Registration cost is $30. 

 

3:00 - 5:00 P.M. – "Look At That! CDVs Investigated"

  What one can see on period photographs

            Presented by a panel of experts in different fields.      

 Registration cost is $15. 

 

8:00 - 11:00 P.M. –  A reception (optional period dress) will be held at the hotel.

 

Saturday, January 26

 

7:00 A.M. –  Conference Check-In

7:00 - 8:30 A.M. –  A continental breakfast buffet will be provided in the main conference room.

 

8:30 - 8:45 A.M. – Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks - Russ Gilliom

 

8:45 - 9:45 A.M. – “Religion during the time of the Civil War - They both prayed to the Same God ”

Presented by  Fr Robert Miller

 

9:45 - 10:15 A.M. - Break

             Shopping and coffee areas will be open

 

10:15 - 12:15 P.M. –  "Mourning - Outward Appearance of Sorrow & Grief" 

              Presented by Sandy Melcher

Victorians showed their sorrow and grief in outward appearance more extensively than any other period in history.  We will explore the changes that took place throughout the United States in Mourning customs and practices in the mid 19th century.   Find out why Victorians dressed in full black and for how long; what changed the grave markers and cemeteries; and how the War Between the States changed funerals and mourning practices.

 

12:15 - 1:30 P.M. –  Lunch and Shopping

 

1:30 -  2:30 P.M. –  “Summer Ramblings - Victorian Camping Trips”

            Presented by Victoria Rumble

 

2:30 - 2:45 P.M. - Break

            

2:45 - 3:30 P.M. – “Period Lighting”

            Presented by Joseph Reed

 

3:30 - 4:30 P.M. – “Favorite Resources & Where To Start Researching”

                      Panel of Experts with moderator Connie Payne

   

4:30 - 6:30 P.M. – Shopping

 

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. – “Show and Tell”

This event will be held at the "P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life" which is in

the Hiram B Scutt Mansion, 206 N. Broadway, Joliet.

This is the house that belonged to Seth Magosky and where we had the reception in 2007.  The house

itself is worth the visit and for this event it will form the backdrop for original garments and artifacts of

the Civil War era.

For those not attending the conference, it is possible to purchase tickets for this segment only.  Please contact Marta Vincent.  The proceeds will be shared with the museum.

Your chance to closely examine original garments and artifacts and chat with the owners.  You are

encouraged to bring some of your own collection to share or ask questions. 

 

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. –  Book Signing at the Show and Tell

 

           "Both Prayed to the Same God" - Robert J. Miller

 

"Both Prayed to the Same God" is the first book-length, comprehensive study of religion in the Civil War. While much research has focused on religion in a specific context of the civil war, this book provides a needed overview of this vital yet largely forgotten subject of American history. Writing passionately about the subject, Robert J. Miller presents this history in an accessible but scholarly fashion. Beginning with the religious undertones in the lead up to the war and concluding with consequences on religion in the aftermath, Miller not only shows us a forgotten aspect of history, but how our current historical situation is not unprecedented.

"Outdoor Recreation and Leisure in 19th Century America" - Victoria Rumble

 

This book has been referred to as "ground-breaking" in its approach to 19th century life because it explores facets of life not previously discussed.  The 19th century woman was as likely to participate in these many activities as her male counterpart, and socioeconomic status did little to discourage the working class American family from taking an annual vacation like their wealthier neighbors. 

 

For additional information, refer to the following Internet site.                

 

http://www.geocities.com/thistledewbooks/

 

Sunday, January 27

8:30 A.M. – Conference Check-In

 

8:30 - 9:30 A.M. - Full, Cold Breakfast and Buffet

Note: The hotel does not have a restaurant that is open Sunday noon.

9:30 - 10:30 A.M. - “19th Century Children's Clothing”

            Presented by Marta Vincent

 

10:30 - 11:00 A.M. – Mid-morning Coffee, Tea and Shopping Break

 

11:00 - 12:00 P.M. –  “Mob Caps Were Worn By Martha Washington -- Civil War Era

                                     Headwear For Women"

            Presented by Kay Gnagey

 

12:00 – Closing Remarks

 

12:00 - 3:00 P.M. –  Shopping areas will be open