Historic St. Mary’s City, MD – Friday, Nov. 25, marked the beginning of this year’s “Game On” theme to the Hearth and Home Tour held annually in St. Mary’s City. Small groups of families and friends toured the once-Metropolis of Maryland to see what was cooking or learn a new game at the interactive colonial exhibit.
The Hearth and Home tour at the Museum of Archeology in Historic St. Mary’s City is a great way to discover first-hand the irreplaceable artifacts of the 17th century history of Maryland. On opening day of the tour, guests walked back in time to peek at the Thanksgiving holiday season in 17th century style with the help of the museum staff who dressed the part.
“Hunting, trapping, and gathering were the main ways Marylanders acquired wild food and game to supplement their domestic diet,” a costumed interpreter said to a small group of spectators. Each outdoor exhibit is preparing a meal over the two-day tour, and playing games,” said costumed interpreter Mallory Green of Mechanicsville.
Costumed interpreters were busy preparing a 17th century Thanksgiving duck for dinner at the Town Center. Site supervisor Donna Bird of St. Leonard had the outdoor kitchen under control as she directed her colonial assistants to keep the fire for duck well controlled. “I have been with the museum for 15 years and started as a teacher,” she said.
“Everything is grown right here in the garden.” Bird said. All the recipes prepared came from a 17-century cookbook and copies were available for guests to take.
The Town Center interactive exhibit is a perfect opportunity for tour guests to get a peek inside the home of a colonist and see how they really lived, slept, and ate off the land. and spent their free time. With no electricity, youngsters entertained themselves with board games and handmade dolls.
“Game On” at the Woodland Indian Hamlet” was venison jerky that was being dried by the sun with a little help from a low fire. Interpreter Amanda Brown of Prince Frederick explained, that Native Americans used the heat from the Sun for processing the meat. “Normally, the sun is our oven and we simply lay the meat on the river cane, and let the sun do the work. Today it has been too cloudy and we had to start a low burning fire under it to remove the moisture and speed the process.” She said.
“When you look around, you have to remember that Native Americans spent all their time outside and made use of everything,” Brown said.
A game the Native Americans played in the 17-century was the outdoor game of corn-cob darts using corn husks.
This tour has an added benefit. Guest have a chance to walk off the turkey from the day before in the fresh river air – what a great way to end a Thanksgiving weekend.
For more information about the Historic St. Mary’s City or any future events go to www.hsmcdigshistory.org
Contact Shertina J. Mack at s.mack@TheBayNet.com
