Palmetto Soldiers Relief Society

PSRS Summer Workshop

August 2005

Open Hearth Cooking

Recently, Mrs. Judith Hoover and I traveled to Columbia, Tennessee to participate in Ladies Weekend, a condensed version of the Girls School held every summer. The setting was the Rectory, the only building remaining of the original school started in 1837 and lasting until 1903. There was an interesting mix of participants, ranging from the mildly interested, non-reenactor to authentic minded reenactors and everything in between. Classes were to be horsemanship/side-saddle, French, penmanship, art, music, needlework, coiffures, etiquette, parlor games, tea etiquette, mourning, croquet and graces, and dancing. Sadly, horsemanship/side-saddle was cancelled due to the uncooperative weather.

I must confess to some trepidation upon first seeing the group of 22 assembled and the wide range of styles being worn but after getting to know the ladies and sharing ideas and information it turned out to be an enjoyable experience and friends were made from several areas of the country. Some industrious ladies from Arkansas told of their experiences, which include persistence at a very rainy event in which their men skedaddled and left them to handle the program, and a weekend school for young men and ladies in which they furnished appropriate clothing and taught several different lessons.

A trip to Rose Hill Cemetery during the Mourning Customs session revealed a most intriguing mystery. There were twin grave stones, side by side, one belong to the wife of Mr. Dugger and one belonging to the ‘consort’ of Mr. Dugger. One of our new friends, Mrs. Trish Hasenmueller, and myself have embarked on a mission to discover the story behind the words. So far, it seems the 19^{th century meaning of consort appears to be wife but we are not sure of the difference in usage.}

All of the classes were interesting and required participation, not merely being lectured to, and we did receive a folder of information. The dance master was wonderful and it was interesting to hear how a real ball would be conducted. The staff was pleasant and friendly, if a bit disorganized. The food was very, very good being homemade, and the service quite lovely with fresh flower arrangements, china, glass, silverware and linens. All things considered I would respectfully suggest the school is more appropriate for ladies new to the hobby but all in all, it was a pleasant experience.

Genteel Arts Conference in Harrisburg, PA March 2005

Reviewed by Miss Lynn Cogdill

This is the third year I have attended this conference in Harrisburg, PA and my second with Jeannie Rucker, who has asked that I write "a little something" for the website.  It is our hope that we can encourage other fine ladies and gentlemen of the Palmetto Sate to attend future conferences. This conference has expanded its roots of clothing and clothing construction to topics of material culture and historical perspectives that will interest both men and women and hopefully add a new dimension to our interpretation of the Civil War era.

I subscribe to the "more bang for you buck" theory of vacations, so I choose to drive to this conference (it takes about 8 1/2 hours from Spartanburg), for two reasons-- the scenery is beautiful and takes me up the Shenandoah Valley past many of the Civil War sites.  I have stopped in Lexington and New Market in past years.  Also, by driving, I have more room to bring back those "must haves" from the conference vendors and other stops along the way. I must also mention that I can't seem to finish what I'm going to wear to the Saturday evening dinner, so I pack the sewing machine too!

  Arrive early, take workshops.  This conference always has interesting and informative workshops available.  This year I took "Essential Seams and Stitches", a class in Berlin wool work and a study of crinolines and corded petticoats. Other past workshops include making ribbon trims, learning how to tie a cravat, studies of frock coats, how to build the perfect bodice (making a muslin fit), hairstyles for men and women (separated workshops). These are very relaxed and a good way to meet fellow attendees before the crowds.

Meet new people, become old friends.  This conference is very will attended and you can meet people from as far away as Colorado, Washington and Oregon, or as close as Georgia and North Carolina.  This year Martha Wilson, whom many of you may remember from past PSRS workshops, was an attendee and I got a chance to chat with her and catch up on "old times".  I also caught up with Lynda Massey, whom I met two years ago at my first conference. She's a delightful lady who graciously asked me to camp with her group at Murfeesboro event in Spring Hill later that year.  Jeannie and I also went "power shopping" with Evie and Corrie Hausman, a mother and daughter we met last year.  We found a Ben Franklin Crafts store going out of business. Ribbons, material, yarns, we even found the basket reed to make drawn bonnets.  We can always go antiquing next year!  And let's not forget the "big names" in our hobby who also attend the conference. Nicky and Susan Lyon Hughes, Kay Krewer, Maggie Burke, Juanita Leisch and Martha McCain were in attendance. With the exception of Martha McCain, all have been past presenters.  Martha McCain drafts the patterns for Simplicity; she brought her new line for a sneak peek. She also helped Jeannie make a muslin fit for a basic bodice. What a truly nice person.

Topics, Topics, Topics....  Each year, the topics presented at the conference represent a wide and varied spectrum of clothing and material culture.  The conference runs along two tracks and as a participant you choose one but have the option of sitting in on presentations in the other track if there is space available. Track A usually consists of the clothing topics and this year's topics included: outerwear, including what to wear for inclement weather, wrappers (what they were and when to wear them), female spies of the Civil War, to name a few of the presentations.  Track B has topics geared more for the men, although there are a lot of women who attend these presentations.  This year there was a discussion of the Odd Fellows (a group similar to the Mason's), a presentation on rubber and gutta percha and the early rubber industry, and alsoa  presentation on city life in America in the mid-19th century.  There are also a few presentations for both tracks combined. A conference workbook contains handouts for the track you have registered for, but, you can also request copies of the other track's handouts.

What brings you back each year.  It's not just the topics and the people you meet at this conference, Carolann has created some really unique "hooks" to bring you back each year.  To begin with, there is the presenter's "fashion show" that begins the Saturday morning schedule.  Each year, she selects a period correct fabric and sends it to each presenter.  That presenter then creates a dress or vest, based on how that fabric "speaks" to them.  It's very amusing when each presenter explains how they came up with their own unique creations.  There are some very vivid imaginations out there!

Carolann also sets a competition for the conference attendees each year, which she announces at the end of each previous conference.  Two years ago it was bonnets, last year, needlecases. This year's competition was undersleeves, which Jeannie entered.  The competition is judged by the presenters and there is also a vote by the attendees for the most popular. Our own Jeannie Rucker won the attendee vote! She had a beautiful set of embroidered undersleeves, based on originals in her clothing collection.  Next year's competition will be men's suspenders, or braces, so that the men can also participate.  I predict that the Berlin Tapestry workshop I took will come in handy!  There are exhibits of original garments and accessories which change daily.  These originals are brought by the conference attendees and all are allowed to view and photograph freely.  I've gotten some great future dress ideas from these very beautiful originals.  Saturday evening ends with a formal dinner, in true Victorian style.  Conference attendees are encouraged to wear their best clothes to dinner.  Imagine a room filled with women in hoops!  We keep the servers on their toes!  Tables are set for eight and the food is delicious!  It's just another way to meet others who share the same interests and passion for the hobby.  Finally, Carolann always provides "hints" to next year's topics and workshops.

I can only say that personally, I leave each conference exhausted but enthusiastic about all I have seen and all that I have learned.  I can't wait for next year!

Lynn Cogdill

Secessionville Review

November 19-21, 2004

Saturday's Tea Party Program

The weather was beautiful and everyone seemed to have such fun. The Saturday morning Tea Party was very well attended and Pat Blich, Reyna and Leigh worked so very hard to provide us with a wonderful food table. The ladies program was well done and the awarding of the new offices was done very nicely. 

We had a wonderful amount of  Soldier's Aide Packages contributed and will do this again at Akien in February.

This was Ann Marlar Maddox's first reenactment with her 3 month old baby, Audrey Caroline.

The Ball was very well attended and the room was a whirl of beautiful gowns.

Ferguson's Ladies with Judith Hover of the PLA at the Tea on Saturday

Baby Audrey with Auntie Leanne

Ferguson's Artillery at the Ball

Miss Lee Bryant always looks lovely seen here with her escort.