November happenings!

November

Remembrance Day

We are going to be open for the Remembrance Day event. We are working on building up stock and look forward to seeing our friends again. Stop by and say hello!

We will be open on Friday from 10 am until 6 pm

Both Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

New Citizen's Cravat!

This has been an extended project that we are glad to finally be able to offer. We followed an example at men's haberdashery in Harper's Ferry, which we felt was really extraordinary. As they say, the devil is in the details, and this cravat is all about detail.

Elegant Pleated Cravat

Items made in the calm before the storm!

New Antebellum items are being developed, but we were not able to get them completed in time for this newsletter. We may send out a separate bulletin to those interested. Contact us if you are interested in these updates!

Suspenders!

We are doing everything to make sure that our customers don't get caught with their pants down! We are offering two new styles of suspender and are developing more styles. We also have a good supply of the Otis Baker Braces on hand!

Suspenders Galore!

We would be remiss if we did not address some of the back orders that we have had. These orders revolve around groups of items, and we are working to clean these items up as quickly as possible. We will be shipping all outstanding shoe orders in the next week and a half, and will have some pairs of 10 and 11 Federal Issue Brogans in stock.

Events and classes...

Pennsylvania German Sgraffito

Samantha and I took a one day Sqraffito redware seminar at the Landis Valley Museum, which was an amazing and fun experience. The class was taught by master artisan Denise Wilz, of Wilz Pottery

Sgraffito - an ancient technique of scratching on clay that the Pennsylvania German potters used to decorate their fancy pieces of pottery. The plate begins with red earthenware clay rolled flat with a rolling pin and cut to fit the mold. Then the clay is laid over the mold (drape molded) to shape it. When it is just dry enough to handle without losing its shape liquid white clay (slip) is applied to the surface with a brush. The design is scratched into the slip revealing the red clay beneath – the sgraffito technique.

Denise Wilz

Pottery is meant to be touched and you can feel the design scratched into the surface of her sgraffito pieces. Her tulip, bird and heart designs are inspired by Pennsylvania German folk art of all kinds. She uses traditional techniques and tools – a rolling pin, molds for shaping the clay into plates and bowls, a coggle wheel to decorate the edges of the pottery and handcrafted tin cookie cutters for the ornaments. The pieces are fired in an electric kiln rather than the traditional wood-fired kiln. The pottery is made in a stone house built in the mid-1700s. She is a Master Artisan with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and is listed in the Directory of Traditional American Crafts presented by Early American Life magazine.

Her favorite Pennsylvania German saying is "Lieben und Geliebt zu werden Ist die Gröst Freud auf Erden” Translation = "To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth"

Wilz Pottery

Landis Valley Museum

The Landis Valley Museum is an amazing place in and of itself, which is not only well maintained, but houses a full collection of 19th and early 20th century material culture.In perhaps the most unique presentation, their entire storage holdings are behind a glass viewing wall, enabling the public to see artifacts not currently on display. The museum is a worthwhile trip

Landis Valley Museum

Trains and Troops Event,

Strasburg PA

We attended the annual event, and had a great time as usual! The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is something that can be enjoyed by adults as well as children. The museum has evolved slowly over the years, and is as enjoyable as it is educational!

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Customer Profile

Grant DellaValle

Our featured cusomter, Grant, sparked his interest in reenacting when he attended a Mountain Man/Rendezvous event. A friend who was at the event, got him interested in Civil War reenacting. Located on the inner west coast, he reenacts with the 49th Ohio based out of L.A. and U.S. Engineer battallion.

He just got back from the Missionary Ridge event, which was super cold and super fun.He is hoping that more authentic unit and events start to grow on the east coast.

He said that he used to be a huge farb but has been upgrading his impression. We are very glad to help him on his journey.

Red Knit shirts coming!

New knit arrived!

We just had a run of red knit completed, and will be offering this on a small run basis. We will also be offering some red knit drawers as an option for those looking for health in the 19th century sense of the word.

Williamsburg Battlefield Association

Did you know that only 4% of the battlefield remains undeveloped?

It is a race against the clock. Adding this green space to our region will not only secure a quality of life for residents but a brand new amenity to attract visitors. Taken together this will create a positive tax revenue.

You can help!

Reach out to your representatives in the Williamsburg, James City, and York County area and tell them #thisplacematters. Help us protect the undeveloped portions by reporting illegal dumping, trespassing, and metal detecting. Support the American Battlefield Trust and encourage them to get involved too.

NJ Sekela

1425 Chambersburg Road

Gettysburg PA 17325

| [http://www.njsekela.com]