The 65,000 square foot K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre at the Acadia University in Wolfville, has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the Annapolis Valley. I really love this place and it’s wonderful architecture. Built in a classical almost Georgian styling, it nonetheless offers state of the art research and technology. There is a grandeur about it that is unsurpassed, yet all the while it maintains a comfortable and homey, well lit, conducive to learning environment. Firstly it is a place for study, research and instruction of the natural sciences, but it is also a place of gathering for both the University and the surrounding communities, and is a well used event and conference centre. It is a lovely place for a wedding reception for example.

The K.C. Irving centre was constructed in 1999 and along with the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens was built and donated to the University by Jim, Jack and Arthur Irving in memory of their beloved parents. The Irving family’s attachment to Acadia University began many years ago with K.C,  (Kenneth Collin) who attended there, and has continued with sons Jack and Arthur who are graduates there-of. Arthur is also the present day Chancellor of the University.

I had always wanted to do a shoot in this fantastic building and upon the completion of my 18th century French Provincial/Colonial Gown and matching Gentleman’s Coat, I once again began to imagine how wonderful these pieces would look with the Irving Centre as a back drop.

So,…I asked Man The Capstan crew members, my son David and good friend Katherine, to model these pieces and it did seem quite right, since, after all,  they are both Acadia University Alumni. Katherine gained permission from the building’s manager for us to take some photographs there. It was great fun and such a beautiful and appropriate setting.

This 18th Century gown and coat were created using a printed and embroidered fabric which I found locally at a home decor place. I have often found that the greatest fabrics to make 18th century clothing from are drapery type fabrics. Such was the case with this beautiful striped Antoinette blue and embroidered gold cotton. It caught my eye the moment I walked into the shop and I had to have it! As a matter of fact I bought enough to make two gown and coat sets! Which is indeed a good thing since they have already both been sold. I am obviously not the only one who loves the blue and gold stripe combination.

I trimmed the gown with ivory and gold Venise laces, beige Chantilly lace and satin ribbon. It is paired with an ivory brocaded petticoat or underskirt which is also trimmed in gold Venise lace. Also sold with this gown was a matching ivory chiffon fichu or neck scarf. I did purchase a plain 18″ flat crown straw hat to go with it and this I decorated with matching fabric, ribbon, Venise lace and one ivory ostrich feather.

When I make these gowns I try to make them so that they will fit at least several different sizes and I accomplish this by lacing the back of the gown and using about a three inch modesty panel so that the laces can be worn completely closed or open to varying degrees. I also do not attach the over skirt fully to the bodice and allow a portion of the skirt to remain free at the back closure. Using ribbon drawstring the skirt can be drawn tight or loosened and I find this feature effectively prevents the unsightly gaping and/or pulling that one often sees with these dresses. The bodice is fully lined and boned as well which gives it good shaping and structure. The matching Gentleman’s coat is lined and trimmed with matching gold Venise lace and brass coloured nautical anchor buttons and sells with a jabot. The pockets are faux. David is wearing his own breeches, waistcoat, shirt and boots.

We had a great time at Irvng Centre, and really, it was difficult to get any bad shots, the setting is so spectacular! Above is a photo of the wonderful winding staircase.

Check out our Etsy Shop here

We took a tour one sun-shiny day in late last fall, through the historical Gaspereau Valley which is situated in the heart of the Annapolis Valley. It is such a pretty place to visit, with peaceful scenery, hills, vales, farms and for us, a feeling of heritage. Certain members of the Man The Capstan crew can trace family lineage to this area as far back as the time of the New England Planters who came to Nova Scotia during the 1760s.

Nestled snuggly amidst these beautiful rolling hills and farmlands is the Gaspereau Vineyards Winery.  Located just 3 km from downtown Wolfville, the home of the Acadia University, it is an easy 1 hour drive from Halifax and is located near some great restaurants, gift shops, inns and markets. These vineyards were once an apple orchard. Planted in 1996, the 35 acres of vineyards grow on the south-facing slope in the ideal soil and climatic conditions of this beautiful valley. There are ten wineries in Nova Scotia which represents an ever growing industry in the province. Nova Scotia is well able to produce the excellent grapes that are required to create some outstanding wines.

The Gaspereau Vineyards produces a number of red and white wines, available in dry, off dry, and semi dry, as well as ice and maple wine. Man the Capstan was here for a wine tasting tour and looking forward to sampling some wonderful award winning wines. The staff was expecting us upon our arrival, as Katherine had made prior arrangements for this visit, and we were greeted warmly and enthusiastically.

We admired the winery boutique with it’s shelves of shining bottles filled with wine, books, souvenirs and other such local goodies and niceties, before sideling up to the tasting counter for our samples.

We tried them all…and I have to say that we loved them all. Each wine was unique in bouquet and flavour, and as each was presented to us we were hard pressed to name a favourite among them.

I am not such a connoisseur but certainly I know a good wine when I taste it, and I personally loved the Vitis with it’s dark burgundy tones, berry in the nose, and the hint of chocolate on the tongue. The wonderful Reserve Port, which we enjoyed with dark chocolate, and the Maple dessert Wine which is such a special treat.

What really surprised me though was the Rose. I am not a fan of Rose wines generally but I loved this refreshing and fruity offering. We all agreed that the wines offered at this winery were exceptional! We filled a case with a variety of them and I came away with two of the Rose, which I saved for our Turkey dinner on Christmas Day. It complimented this meal wonderfully well and was  a great hit at the table!

Gaspereau Vineyards is well worth the visit. The winery boutique is lovely. The complimentary wine sampling and tours are offered in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the staff are great!

The winery boutique is open 7 days a week.

April-May 10am-5pm

June-Sept 9am-6pm

Oct-Dec 10am-5pm

From downtown Wolfville (Highway #1), turn up Gaspereau Avenue (Beside the Police Station and across from Tim Horton’s). Drive 3km – Gaspereau Vineyards is located on the right.

Travelling Highway 101, take Exit 11 (Old Orchard Inn) and follow the signs. Gaspereau Vineyards is 7 km from the highway.

Wine List:

2004/06 Vitis
2007 Castel (Dry)
2007 Lucie Kuhlmann (Dry)
2008 Lucie Kuhlmann Barrel Select (Dry)
2008 Pinot Noir (Dry)
Reserve Port (Medium)
Maple Wine (Sweet)
2009 L’Acadie Blanc (Dry)
2009 Muscat (Dry)
2009 Seyval Blanc (Medium)

2009 Rose (Medium)

2009 Crescendo (Medium)
2008 Vidal Ortega Icewine (Sweet)
2008 Chardonnay (Dry)

(Please click on images to see full view)

Watch the heads turn when you walk down the aisle in this absolutely gorgeous Victorian historical reproduction bustle gown. Modeled after a ballroom style made popular during the 1870s, this beautiful gown features all the details, and truly embodies the elegance, beauty and opulence of the early Victorian era.This is a brand new, never been worn, Man The Capstan original gown crafted by Johanna, it is a one of a kind, there is no other gown quite like it.

Carefully handcrafted using tailoring methods authentic to the time period, it is made in a satin matelasse and 100% pure shantung silk combination. Sure to make your wedding day truly special and to become a beloved heirloom, it has been decorated with all the finery that the Victorians loved.

This gown consists of three full pieces; an off the shoulder lined satin matelasse basque back bodice with contrasting silk pouf sleeves, a pure 100% silk pleated and ruffled unlined underskirt, and a matching lined satin matelasse ruffled and pleated over-skirt with bustle and train. All pieces boast hand pleated and hand ruffled self trims, no less than twenty metres of beautiful matching ivory venise lace, plus florals, satins and faux pearl buttons at the closures, all of which have been applied by hand. You will not find a zipper here. The over-skirt can be removed for reception, the underskirt is beautiful on it’s own with the bodice, has no train, and is lovely and cool for a warm evening of celebration and dancing.

Suggested accessories: Victorian lace boots or satin slippers, opera length non-shiny gloves, a parasol or a fan and a Victorian style mantilla veil or a small floral feathered headpiece. Victorian ladies also often carried a bible decorated with flowers to their weddings. Many of these accessories can be acquired on-line and should be purchased in ivory. I also suggest an A-line crinoline to make the most of the skirts. This should not be too large. The dress  should not pouf out too much at the sides and front, rather the mass of the fabric is pulled to the back.

Size – approx 12 – please measure carefully prior to purchasing.
Measurements:
Bust – 38 (will fit 37)
Waist – 30 – 31
Hips -  a lot of freedom here
Nape to true Waist – 15

This gown can also be worn by someone slightly larger then these measurements if a good Victorian corset is worn. Ladies often made the waists of their gowns smaller by 2 inches or more than their actual size, since it was quite possible to whittle that amount away by the use of a tightly laced corset. Victorians also padded the upper parts of a bodice in order to attain the classic V – shaped torso.

Also included with this purchase is a matching reticule or keepsake pouch and a bustle “pillow”, (makes it easy to get the right look for the bustle). This is to be worn over the underskirt and under the over-skirt.

Because the front interior satin lining of this bodice was snagged during a problem during button holing, I am offering a $200 dollar discount on this gown.This snagging is present on the inside lining fabric only and is absolutely invisible on the exterior of the gown.

With discount – $800.00

Please ask questions
More pictures are available upon request.

If interested in purchase, please email me and I will arrange for an invoice. We use Paypal.

During the late 1860s, the hoop skirt  gave way to the bustle. Huge skirts advanced into a more slim line with the fabric concentrated and pulled to the back of the dress. The first of these new fashions still had some fullness at the front but the most of it was now centered and pouffed at the back. The 1870s were a transitional period for women and their fashions. Perhaps because of these changes, the era was full of creativity and intriguing ideas; the bustle came back into fashion, albeit much different than it’s predecessor. Trains reappeared and fabric was used in huge quantities, trims too were used to the extreme; a woman could never add too much trim to her gown.

Much of the overindulgence in ladies’ fashions was due to that new fangled invention and the wide spread use of the contraption known as the sewing machine. All those trims, tucks, and pleats that once had to be sewn by hand could now be done by machine. Not too many of us have a very good idea of how slow hand sewing was/is – can you imagine sewing the long and endless seams of the skirts and gowns of that time? We would also likely chuckle at the slowness of middle nineteenth century sewing machines compared with what is available to a seamstress today. I own such a peddle machine, (although I don’t sew on it) it is powered by ones feet, no motors, electricity or computers. I learned to sew on just such a one when I was in my early teens and my mother still has it at home. The early sewing machines sewed over one thousand stitches per minute, and this was at least sixty times faster than hand sewing. The result of this was that what once was very expensive to produce was now much more affordable. What previously only the wealthy could wear, now the middle class could create themselves.

In addition to the laces and trims that were made at home or in a dressmaker’s shop, many trims could be purchased and were produced en mass. Everything from pleated yardage, to flounces, to tucked materials, to bindings and elaborate cut-work could be bought at the general store. Women rushed to take advantage of these advances and even the simplest house dresses were trimmed, frilled and required large amounts of fabric. It must have been so exciting for them!

I have always loved the bustle gown. The distinguished lady with her ruffled or pleated, laced and bustled skirts, the feathered hats tilted smartly to the front or the side of the head, the beautiful laces and trims and the rows of buttons embellishing the bodices, which in contrast to the skirts were fitted snugly. They made a woman look beautiful, feminine and curvaceous. Padding was used in the bodices at the bust and under the arms area giving a woman a soft rounded look; and the seams for the sleeves were set in just slightly off the shoulder.

For the first bustle gown I decided to sew, I secured a Truly Victorian pattern for the polonaise. A piece that became very popular in about 1873 and was styled in many different ways. It was actually a combination bodice and over-skirt, saving the woman of wearing these pieces separately. The fitting process for these patterns is done a little differently then the usual way; (Victorian tailoring methods are used), but once you get the hang of it, it’s not really that hard and it does give one a very good fit. The skirt I designed and drafted myself using fashion plates of the period for my inspiration. I left it untrained as I wanted a walking skirt.

The entire ensemble was sewn using a beautiful green shot taffeta. I trimmed the polonaise with various venise laces – a beautiful four inch floral for around the sleeves and the bottom front, and I edged the entire front with a lovely one inch swagged lace which I also added to the basque back. I found the prettiest gold and black store bought daisy buttons for closures and also pleated black satin ribbon which I added to the bustle at the bottom edge at the back of the polonaise. The skirt was over-layered with a black floral lace to just below where the polonaise ended in the front, and I pleated and added about a 12 inch length of taffeta around the bottom of the skirt; which I trimmed with thick black braided trim. I always add my trims by hand as I find that a sewing machine is just to rough on these beautiful additions, plus I find it a pleasant task to sit in the evening and sew. It also gives my hands something to do as I find it difficult to sit and do nothing.

For matching accessories I bought a smart, green, plain wool hat and trimmed it with gathered and somewhat pleated taffeta to the brim, black embroidered lace over the crown, and satin ribbon left both plain and ruched around the crown. The outside of the brim was also decorated with black braid. I finished by making a matching reticule with a bit of the left over taffeta, braid and beaded trim. Such things as matching hats and reticules are a great way of using up leftover trims and fabrics.

When we went to Sherbrooke Village I also carried a black parasol, wore black elbow length non-shiny gloves and black shoes. Underneath the dress I wore a small bustle, bloomers and cabled stockings. Because it was a 3.5 hour drive to Sherbrooke and I did not have help to lace it up, I did not wear a corset, although I do own one and the dress does have an even better shape when it is worn with it.

I am very happy with this gown! I feel good in it and it’s really pretty comfortable to wear.

This is a different sort of blog post for Man The Capstan, but still one that I think applies well enough, I mean a good captain during the Napoleonic era would have had plenty of silver on board ship, and silver was widely used in most upper class households. By the Victorian period, with the advent of silver-plating,  it had become very popular and affordable and was used extensively by the middle class as well.

I love antique silver and silver plate. Today I’m excited because I just received, (in the mail), the goblet which completes a set that I have been trying to complete for a number of years. A marriage, in the world of collectors, is a set of items, be they silver, linens, china or glass and etc, that are similar but not the exact pattern or form as others in the grouping. I have several completed and ongoing collections such as this one. I know that what is called a marriage is not nearly worth as much as an original intact set; but still, they are a fine option for those of us who appreciate the beauty of these things but can’t always afford the other. It’s also fun to do the search and when these things are purchased for your own enjoyment the monetary value of them is not really all that important.

This is my Tipping or Tilting insulated Water Pitcher set. I love these, they are so beautiful.  This one dates to about 1860 or 70 and would have been used before the time of in house running water. In Victorian times these fancy sets were brought out to supply drinking water to guests on special occasions. The quadruple silver plated double walled and insulated pitcher helped to keep the water cold but was also quite heavy to handle, (which might explain why so many are dented) thus, they were often designed with and placed on a tilting stand for ease of pouring. Many stands had a place for and a matching goblet or two, as well.

It started out about three or four years ago with a Meriden stand that I had acquired. I did have another pitcher from the Southington Silver Company for it at the time, but it was quite badly damaged. The finial was broken off, the lid had a large dent and most of the silver plate had worn; this left the much darker Britannia metal exposed and basically it was pretty ugly. I wanted to find another pitcher in good condition, it didn’t have to be perfect (antiques seldom are) but at least somewhat aesthetically pleasing. It also needed the drip tray and a goblet. I began the process for trying to find the other pieces and I have to admit that after an initial disappointing search I felt it was pretty hopeless.

First of all, I was looking for silver-plated pieces in good condition that were about 150 years old. Pretty rare I’d say and a daunting task. I did pass on several pieces that did not muster up and often wondered in the ensuing years if I should have purchased these, when others were not transpiring. It was not important to me that they all come from the same maker since I knew how difficult that would be, and I didn’t want to make it even harder for myself then it already was; plus, I knew that most of these tilting pitchers were a pretty standard size. Granted there were small differences in the makes, but basically they were all pretty much the same.

About a year after I started I came across a small round drip tray made by Community, that after careful measuring seemed to be the exact size I was looking for. Unfortunately, although it was a vintage piece from about the 1950s, it was not nearly of the same time period as the stand was. After thinking it over I decided to purchase this. If I ever happen across a drip tray that is more to the period I will of course snap it up, but until now the only others I have seen are already part of a complete set. In the meantime this one does quite nicely as it is well silvered and gleaming.

Trying to find a pitcher that was appropriate for the stand was another thing. I combed Ebay, Etsy, as well as antique dealers both locally and on the internet. You can certainly find water pitchers of that time period, however, the ones that have the proper extensions to sit on a tilting stand are much more difficult to find; and the almost impossible is to find one that is in good condition. Finally, about a year ago I happened upon one on Ebay from the Webster Silver Company. I purchased this and it fit perfectly on the Meriden stand.

Most difficult of all was locating a proper goblet. The ones that were made to go with these sets are quite small so not just any goblet can be used, most stand only about four inches tall, while the average goblet is between 5 and 7 inches in height. The base of these goblets also often run smaller and therefore a regular goblet does not fit on the stand. The third issue is that they often have a lot of wear and are in pretty rough shape, something that is to be expected since of course the goblet would’ve been handled far more than the rest of the pieces. About two weeks ago, I finally found one in New York,  also made by the Webster Silver Company. This is was in fairly good condition, and was available for a price that I  found affordable. It arrived today, very tarnished, but it polished up pretty nicely and looks great with the rest of the set.

I have displayed this on the Victorian sideboard in my dining room and it looks quite splendid, just there!

Earlier this year, four members of Man the Capstan ventured across the province to Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia, where tucked beside the St. Mary’s river sits a picturesque village subsisting still within the late 19th century. Interested in all things historical, especially with respect to Nova Scotian history, the Capstan Crew thoroughly enjoyed themselves and resolved to return, particularly in costume!

We prepared to depart early in the morning on October 10th, this time skipping the Guysborough detour and heading straight down to Sherbrooke from New Glasgow. It was a far quicker drive than last time, and we pulled into the parking lot at a timely 1400 hrs (or thereabouts).

Of particular interest at Sherbrooke was their reputed ambrotype studio, one of the few working studios that still use the original method employed in the 1860s. For an incredible $40.00 tourists can get dressed up in a variety of costumes and outfits and have their picture taken! Having an ambrotype picture taken is a rewarding experience; the very act itself is a historical exercise. Let me tell you, it’s not like heading to Sears and getting your family portrait taken.

Susan, our photographer this time around (different from the lady we dealt with previously) was a true professional; she explained the process and arranged us in a timely manner; for my own picture it was decided it best to sit down, holding my chapeau in my lap and sitting in such a way so as to not cut my larger frame out of the shot—you don’t have a lot of room to work with, and we’d learn fairly quickly that it’s even harder to fit two people into a frame! Our photographer told us that there are a few “tricks” they use in order to get it just right.

In the end we had two shots taken; one with myself, and the other with Johanna and Steve. We were informed the process would take about 20-30 minutes, and that in the meantime Susan could introduce us to the costumers that were responsible for helping to make all the history “come alive” at Sherbrooke. We took a walk across the street and spoke with Meg and her assistant, Andrea. The wardrobe room was filled with dresses and men’s outfits, shoes, hats, simple gowns, fancy gowns, and a workshop that exuded a creative aura; this was indeed the place that old things rose to become something new and engaging.

Both Meg and Andrea were clearly passionate about their work (it seems that has been a trend for us; most history enthusiasts wouldn’t do what they do unless they loved it!) and we had a wonderful conversation with them. The 20-30 minutes passed quickly, and after passing a card to them, we headed back to secure our finished ambrotypes, which were spectacular!

We took the opportunity to take a few more shots within Sherbrooke, getting some splendid ones; we’ve uploaded all of them to our Flickr Photostream; check out the set here!

I’d like to return to Sherbrooke again in uniform, perhaps in a busier part of the year so as to have a bit more fun with some fellow visitors. It’s a great place in Nova Scotia, and I hope that by writing this blog it may engender some additional interest; this sort of living history is rarely seen executed so well. You can visit Sherbrooke’s website here!

Until next time!

Prescott House (pictured above, from Dennis Jarvis’ Flickr), or “Acacia Grove” is located in the idyllic setting of Starr’s Point, near the historic village of Port Williams, Nova Scotia.  It looks out to the Cornwallis River and across to the neighbouring town of Wolfville, the home of the Acadia University. As a matter of fact, you can see the University Hall from its upper windows. Charles Ramage Prescott purchased the land  upon which it stands in 1811, and built this  beautiful example of classical Georgian architecture during the years 1812 -14 or 16.   He resided there until his death in 1859.

Charles Prescott was born January 6th, 1772 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was a wealthy merchant, privateer, politician, Justice of the Peace and horticulturist. He married first Hannah Whidden in 1796, by whom he had seven children. She died in 1813. He then second married to Mariah Hammill in 1814 and had an additional five children by her. When he was about forty and in ill health, Charles Prescott retired from his busy life in Halifax to Starr’s Point. Here he must have regained his health for he lived to the ripe old age of 88. His gravestone can be viewed at the Port Williams Baptist Church Cemetery.

He is remembered and recognized mostly for his great contribution to the apple industry in Nova Scotia. It is said that he grafted and tested more than 100 varieties of apples and nearly 50 varieties each of pears and plums and he generously shared these varieties with other cultivators. Although this long pre-dated commercial fruit-growing in the province, he is credited with having introduced six of the ten varieties of apples, including the Gravenstein, (one of the most popular of apples,) leading the market during Nova Scotia’s heyday as an apple producer and one which is also still grown today. After his death Acacia Grove was sold;  it passed through the hands of several different families, and by 1896 the beautiful house had fallen into disrepair and was abandoned. In 1930 it was rescued and restored to it previous grandeur by one of Charles Prescott’s great granddaughter’s, Mary Allison Prescott. She was even able to retrieve some of the original furnishings and family paintings.

Today the Prescott House operates from June 1st – October 15th, as a Museum and is designated as both a National Historic Site and a Provincial Historic Site. It’s a beautiful peaceful place, with picturesque landscaping and gardens outside and gracious antique furnishings, ceramics and oriental rugs to view inside. On the main level there is a lovely parlour, dining room, sun room and even a library stocked with a wonderful collection of old books. The Prescott house is well worth a visit and is open from  Monday-Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays from 1 pm – 5 pm. The staff is very friendly and well versed  on the history of the house and the area. Admission is also extremely reasonable at $3.60 for adults, Ages 6 -17 and Seniors – $2.55, Children under 5 are free and they also offer a family rate for $7.95. Drop by sometime!

On August 21st, 2010, the Prescott House Museum hosted a nineteenth century evening. Four (including our newest member, Katherine), of the Man The Capstan crew attended in full period dress. We were completely delighted with the warm welcome we received from the staff and can’t wait to go back for another visit.  There were upstairs readings from Prescott family letters, a charming  re-enactment in the dining room, tea and refreshments on the lawn, a tour of the garden, and country dancing in the parlour by The Playford Dancers of Dartmouth.  It was a grand time and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

Now… I really want to take some country dance lessons…

A word about hats…

I love hats! To me there is nothing like a great hat to finish off an outfit. I think it’s really sad that hats are not more popular in this time period, for during most of our long course in history, hats were of great importance.

Millinery, which is the art of hat making, has existed as a trade in Britain since 1700, of course it  was practiced for many centuries prior to that. It was a lucrative career and one that even a woman could pursue.  Separate from the  Milliner was the Plumassier, who specialized in plummage and the dyeing and arranging of feathers. Feathers were, of course,  prized and very important, since no hat would be complete without at least one plume. The rich would pay a  veritable fortune for an elaborately feathered hat and some sported entire stuffed birds; that was until the Audubon Society put a stop to that!

Hats have always been used to protect the head and keep it warm since much heat is lost through the top of ones  head, however, hats have also, for many centuries been status symbols and fashion statements; there is nothing like a hat to draw attention to the face.They were large, small, plain and elaborate and were worn by both men and women. You would’ve known immediately what a man’s occupation was by the hat he wore, whether he was rich or poor, working or upper class. During the Regency period or Napoleonic era, a man of title or money would have worn a tall top hat or perhaps a bowler. It might have been made of wool, beaver fur or even horse hair. Sea faring men wore very distinguishable head gear with Captains wearing tricorns, bicornes, fore and afts or Chapeau de Bras.  Hats represent authority and were and are today still a part of a uniform for military men, police officers and others.

For women however, hats are and have most often been, a fashion accessory. Much effort and expense went into the procuring of the perfect hat and it is by far the most important one that any person can wear. There is an old saying that says, if you want to get noticed or get ahead, wear a hat. I believe the pun is intended.

Head coverings were not limited to fashion only however, and during many periods of history, there was real etiquette involved in the wearing of one. A lady of any class and during most historical eras, would not have been properly dressed  if she did not have something covering her head. This practice continued until as recently as the 1950s and 60s – my grandmother for example, would not have stepped into a church without a hat on her head. During the Victorian and Edwardian periods a woman would have been  in disgrace if she did not cover her head even if it was just to post a letter. Only the poor or the peasants sometimes went without head gear and even women of that class often wore caps, which  had the added advantage of keeping ones hair clean and tidy.

Hats have slowly lost popularity since about the 1920s, being used only for church attendance, weddings and other special occasions into the 1950s and 60s. Today, it is indeed rare to see an individual wearing a hat that does not serve a practical purpose, (unless of course if you are the queen) or isn’t part of a uniform. Sad but true.

One great thing of course about re-enacting or dressing in historical reproductions is that we can go a little hat crazy…

Not all Man the Capstan endeavours have been about getting dressed up in our respective uniforms and gowns. We also enjoy simply getting together and checking out a local historic site, or doing some research and posting our findings. The wonderfully evocative Sherbrooke Village in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, has always been a place we’ve been meaning to visit. As we’re located in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, however, the distance has been the chief obstacle in the past. It’s a long haul out to Guysborough. It’s certainly possible to do in a day, but it would mean a lot of driving!

Struck by a recent itch to hit the road, the crew here at Man the Capstan decided that last weekend was a great opportunity to head east and check out Sherbrooke. We also resolved to make a slight detour to check out the Prince Henry Sinclair Monument, located along Route 16 at Halfway Cove.

We were fortunate enough to bring along a new passenger for this venture! A close friend and colleague of mine, Katherine D. has been a great fan of Man the Capstan and has followed our efforts for over a year now. Having invited her along for the trip, she gladly accepted. Many of the photos linked within this post are hers, so just click to head on over to her Flickr Photostream!

Arrangements were made to wake at 0530 and depart for 0700. It was an early morning! Much to our delight Katherine had elected to do some late-night baking the evening before, toiling to produce a batch of cinnamon buns for the day’s driving that was ahead of us. Let me tell you, the cinnamon buns were delicious (completely made from scratch), also making it possible to keep going without too many stops (save to grab a coffee at Tim Hortons, of course—that’s non-negotiable).

Our detour to Guysborough added a good hour or so to the drive. The route was as follows:

We were on the road at just after 0700, and arrived at Sherbrooke at around 1300 or so. Stops included fuelling at Truro, a stop to check out the township of Guysborough and the excursion along route 16 to Halfway Cove.

The town of Guysborough was really quite beautiful. Tucked within Chedabucto Bay, she’s a small community but bright and cheerful. We stopped at the Days Gone By, a charming bakery, restaurant and antiques shoppe right on the main drag. Thoroughly and gratefully satiated with Katherine’s cinnamon buns, however, we didn’t really need to grab a bite to eat. We strolled down to a small marina brimming with boats, some of them yachts like the timeless MacGregor. Steve & Johanna used to own a MacGregor 26X, and whenever we spy one it conjures up lovely memories. Lots of great shots to be had there, and Katherine even snapped a rogue jellyfish just off the pier!

We quickly made our way to the Prince Henry Sinclair monument. It was a quick jaunt up route 16, tucked away at place named Halfway Cove. The monument, erected by the Prince Henry Sinclair Society of North America, commemorates the theory that Prince Henry Sinclair and a fleet of 12 Templar ships landed on the shores of the Chedabucto in 1398, predating the arrival of Columbus. The theory has been questioned by modern academics for decades, but the descendants of Henry Sinclair, and a few notable believers within the academic community have continued to argue the possibility. The discourse on this alleged arrival by medieval knights is both Romantic and evocative; it’s hard to say exactly what happened, and if perhaps there is truth to both sides. We here at Man the Capstan aren’t about to come to any conclusion, but it is worth mentioning that the early viking explorers at L’anse aux Meadows were also considered mythic, but now have become entrenched in modern, accepted history. Time will reveal all.

After the monument we piled into the car and headed west to Sherbrooke. It took us over an hour to make our way there, but an hour past lunch we rolled into the parking lot outside the site and made our preparations. We spent the next four to five hours plying the roads of the village, taking in the lovely sights and learning a great deal from the incredibly hospitable staff!

We dined at the Sherbrooke Hotel, breaking our fast on sandwiches, soup and coffee. We took in a live demonstration at the blacksmith’s by a reenactor who wrought a steel hanger for us, explaining the process and even spending a moment to explain to Steve how older iron nails were fashioned. From there we made the circuit around the village, stopping in at the Post Office, Printing Press, and Drug Store. Each member of the Sherbrooke Staff took the time to explain their surroundings, offer tidbits and misconceptions on history, and explain (or demonstrate) the tools of the trade they represented. One special moment was at Cumminger’s store, where on the second floor there lies an ambrotype studio. The woman there was incredibly helpful and friendly! She immediately engaged us and explained the entire process, demonstrating the differences in colour and shade that would result from having an ambrotype photo taken; for example, a bright yellow lemon, taken next to a deep dark red apple, would both end up the same dark hue. This makes it difficult to determine the colours of garments or adornments from original photographs, and can make for some interesting science when trying to get just the right picture! The studio charges $40.00 for a shooting, fitting a maximum of three people. The Crew will most certainly return to Sherbrooke to get a picture, a la ambrotype!

The Courthouse was a wonderful building with fantastic acoustics. While within we belted out half a verse of Minstrel Boy, a song we’ve been working on and may, in the future, record at some point. It sounded gorgeous, and it was no surprise that the Courthouse is still used for musical “animations” by the Sherbrooke staff.

Outside we further checked out the elegant Greenwood Cottage, the Masonic Hall (No. 34 “Queen’s Lodge”), and the Doctor’s Office. The cottage was a great contrast to the rest of the town; housing the richest family during the height of the Sherbrooke gold rush, Greenwood Cottage displays the elegance found within the community. The same gentlemen who owned Cumminger’s Store also owned Greenwood Cottage (one brother stayed in Sherbrooke to handle the affairs within the village, while the other plied the seas looking for goods and trade to bring back to a booming Sherbrooke).

Our visit finally ended with the Temperance Hall, a sizeable building with a cavernous ceiling, used presently to display craftwork, predominately rug-hooking. The bottom floor of the Hall is home to a Royal Canadian Legion meeting place, perhaps one of the only dry RCL meeting places in Canada (according to our hostess).

With the tolling of the bell at 1700 we made our way to our vehicle, and began the long drive home (stopping shortly at Antigonish for a meal and a drink). Overall our trip to Sherbrooke was a huge success, and a lot of fun! Katherine added a wonderful dynamic to the Capstan Crew, constantly pointing out interesting facts and tidbits on subjects from foliage (yes, I did call that a maple) and entomology, to fantastic and old antiques and historical practices. While no surprise, Katherine also displayed an excellent taste in music; having brought her iPod along, we were exposed to some great Canadiana, from Portico to Alberta’s own Corb Lund and his “Horse Soldier, Horse Soldier”.

A great trip which made for quite the long write-up! That’s all for now, until next time.

Thought I’d share a few Capstan updates while I had them in my mind, as there are a few developments on the go, and many planned for the future.

As the previous two posts will attest, Halifax’s Tall Ships festival was the supposed culmination of our work here at Man the Capstan. Frankly, it is an unfeasible concept to simply stop what we’re doing now. This is a fun hobby, and one we intend on pursuing for some time yet.

Firstly, I’d like to direct everyone’s attention to the History page, where I’ve updated The Projects; before there was a sorely out-of-date list of completed and ongoing projects. I’ve corrected the list, added the incredible sixteen total reproductions Johanna has completed, and threw in a few extra pieces that are on the books to be tackled later on.

The astute of you will notice an oddity in that list: some of the ongoing projects (indeed, as I write this, all of them) do not fit in with the proscribed time period of Man the Capstan; we claim to be an 18th and 19th century naval reenactment blog. That certainly doesn’t seem to match up well with “Poor Fellow Soldier of Christ and the Temple of Solomon Ensemblé, ca. Late 13th Century”.

We’re experimenting by branching out a bit, tackling a different era that also holds a great amount of interest for us. Shara, our Creative Lead, was an active SCA attendee in her youth, and owns a number of dresses and gowns styled after the High Middle Ages. Likewise, the men in our family all share a fondness for the Romantic chivalry of the knights of oldé. My father and myself particularly are interested in the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon; indeed, I have worn a ring bearing that organization’s early insignia for two years now (Sigillum Militum Χρisti). Though not overly religious in that respect, I have a healthy admiration for the Knights Templar, both from a boyish, adolescent’s perspective, and from that of an amateur historian that is truly moved by its intriguing history.

So, as of now, we have plans to create five reproductions; three knight’s ensemblés and two lady’s gowns/dresses. This is very tentative, as of course the warrior’s gear may or may not require equipment that is out of our reach; namely mail and other such armaments. With or without that kind of hardware, we’re going to see what we can cook up.

We’re still pondering on how to get out in the naval uniforms and lady’s gowns more, and will also be brainstorming on outings and events we can attend in our reproductions. Stay tuned for more information!

]]> http://manthecapstan.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/muster-capstan-updates/feed/ 0 Dave The Knights Templar Beausceant! Be Glorious!