Militia Muster

This weekend at Vance was their annual Militia Muster. The Militia Muster is a living history and reenactment event that simulates what life would have been like during an 18th century encampment. According to reenactor Cody Fox, "a Militia Muster was a gathering of small community minute men who were required by law to gather six times a year to practice their skills and get up to date on Militia law. Two time a year they would get together with other militias to form a regiment then once a year they would gather with all the militias in the region to form a brigade." These bigger, once a year, events would include the minute men's families, Similar to the old clan gatherings in Scotland. Things that would go on during these muster events were the forming of the Militia company and reading of the Militia law. Mustering, Inspection of the men and their weapons, payment for service, and drills and fire practice. 

For my part of the event, on Saturday, I was stationed in the house from 10 am until 1 pm. My parents stopped by to have lunch with me as well as see me in action so to speak. They were very proud! I have to give a shout out to Dr. Pearson who stopped by for a couple of hours. I got to give her a modified version of our regular tour. After lunch and my visit with Dr. Pearson, I spent the rest of the afternoon at the front desk in the visitor center. Sunday, I spent 1 pm - 2:30 pm in the visitor center while Timothy was in the house. From 2:30 pm - 4 pm, we switched places. 

I did on Saturday morning have an experience with a visitor and his family that I've discussed with Lauren, but will also discuss with Kimberly on Tuesday. I was giving a tour to a couple and their teenage son. The mother asked me about the enslaved people on the property and I answered with the usual, "The Vance family own roughly 18 to 20 enslaved peoples by the time the farm was sold in 1846." Then she asked about how many would have been living in the slave cabins on the site and I replied "about 7 to 8." After I said that, her husband turned to their son and said something to the effect of "I can't imagine that many N@#ers living in a house that small." I stopped dead in my tracks and his wife gave him a nasty look before thanking me for answering her questions and rushing them out of the house.

I've never in my life had that kind of experience, so I really didn't know how to react. Lauren told me that in this case I couldn't have really done much because he didn't direct his statement at me. But if he had I would have been well with in my rights to end the tour and ask him to leave, after informing him that that kind of statement is inappropriate. Then I could direct him to my boss if he had any further questions. This situation has been a learning experience.

Overall though, I enjoyed the Militia Muster and I will definitely be going next year!