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Old Fort Madison welcomes visitors after recent flooding
By Robin Delaney/MVM News Network
FORT MADISON - It's no great secret that the June flooding proved costly for Old Fort Madison, as it did for the North Lee Historical Center and the FMAAA Art Center, by keeping the tourist attractions closed during the first half of the summer.
But last weekend, less than three months after flood water covered much of the fort property, it appeared to be business as usual at the fort as residents and visitors alike strolled the grounds and the fort interior.
Old Fort Madison once again hosted a Buckskinner Rendezvous in Riverview Park Saturday and Sunday, and had about 500 attending.
About 50 re-enactors, both inside the garrison's structure and outside its walls, were roughing it, to say the least, by using only those methods of cooking, making weapons, making music, etc. that were used from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries.
For example, Bryer Hayes of Burlington spent a few minutes Saturday water-proofing his moccasins.
“You take this beeswax, hold it near the coals of a fire for a few seconds and then spread it on the bottom of your moccasins,” Hayes said. “It protects the moccasins from the morning dew on the grass and keeps your feet dry.”
Those strolling the grounds of Old Fort Madison last weekend saw a glimpse into the daily lives of those residing at and around the fort in the early 1800's. There were families gathered around fires or, like Hayes, preparing their garments for the next day. There were fur traders and those selling pots and pans of the period. Many even had a chance to handle authentic weapons of the time.
“I had to send for the blade, but it came with a plastic handle, and of course we can't have that, so I made the handle, carved it from wood,” Marvin Flynn of Kirksville, Mo., told his audience.
“You want me to put on my better hat?” Flynn asked. “I took it off cuz' it was getting a bit warm, but in colder weather, traders would be wearing one like this (a long, fur hat, complete with the animal's head.)”
And then, just like 200 years ago, there were those who made items designed to bring enjoyment and leisure to the pioneers' lives - like Maury Anderson, a re-enactor from Iowa City, who entertained weekend attendees with a bit of music from the time period and demonstrated the making and tuning of his authentic instruments.
“It wasn't all work. They had their music, their story-telling. A lot of times those selling musical instruments would also entertain, playing two at once,” Anderson said.
In addition, Old Fort Madison hosted an Ioway Indian who demonstrated the traditional tanning methods used to preserve deer hides.
To recoup some of the anticipated revenue from the summer's flood-related closing, Old Fort Madison has extended its hours and is planning a special re-enactment weekend Sept. 20-21.
But last weekend, less than three months after flood water covered much of the fort property, it appeared to be business as usual at the fort as residents and visitors alike strolled the grounds and the fort interior.
Old Fort Madison once again hosted a Buckskinner Rendezvous in Riverview Park Saturday and Sunday, and had about 500 attending.
About 50 re-enactors, both inside the garrison's structure and outside its walls, were roughing it, to say the least, by using only those methods of cooking, making weapons, making music, etc. that were used from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries.
For example, Bryer Hayes of Burlington spent a few minutes Saturday water-proofing his moccasins.
“You take this beeswax, hold it near the coals of a fire for a few seconds and then spread it on the bottom of your moccasins,” Hayes said. “It protects the moccasins from the morning dew on the grass and keeps your feet dry.”
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“I had to send for the blade, but it came with a plastic handle, and of course we can't have that, so I made the handle, carved it from wood,” Marvin Flynn of Kirksville, Mo., told his audience.
“You want me to put on my better hat?” Flynn asked. “I took it off cuz' it was getting a bit warm, but in colder weather, traders would be wearing one like this (a long, fur hat, complete with the animal's head.)”
And then, just like 200 years ago, there were those who made items designed to bring enjoyment and leisure to the pioneers' lives - like Maury Anderson, a re-enactor from Iowa City, who entertained weekend attendees with a bit of music from the time period and demonstrated the making and tuning of his authentic instruments.
“It wasn't all work. They had their music, their story-telling. A lot of times those selling musical instruments would also entertain, playing two at once,” Anderson said.
In addition, Old Fort Madison hosted an Ioway Indian who demonstrated the traditional tanning methods used to preserve deer hides.
To recoup some of the anticipated revenue from the summer's flood-related closing, Old Fort Madison has extended its hours and is planning a special re-enactment weekend Sept. 20-21.
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