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Under this heading you will find directories of advertisers dealing in period merchandise. You may construe this as an endorsement of the listing service only and not of the individual advertisers.
Salvatore's Historical Yellowpages - one of the better such services I have found.
OK. This company gets a banner because they pay me if you order through this link.
They really do have some excellent, all nature fabrics, from which to make period clothing!
As you navigate through the different Sutlers and merchants you may think "This stuff isn't Indian!" and you will probably be right. However, Indians didn't exist in a vacuum. They traded with the White Man, they made war with the White Man and took booty and, just like today, the White Man can be very wasteful and there is a lot they discard that is still usable. By the 18th century, anything the White Man had the Indian had, also. Now, thats not to say the Indian used things the way the designers intended. Many items were used in Indian society in highly inventive ways. If you see something that will serve a need you have, use it. That's the Indian way.
Big Bears Trading - I have no financial interest in this company, but for obvious reasons have an affinity for this company. They have good quality products, at very fair prices. "I search high and wide for the most reasonably priced and best quality goods" and "I wont carry any item that I feel is too high priced," says the owner Steve (Big Bear) Salisbury.
The Wandering Bull - One of my favorite sources of craft materials. 'WB' supplies lots of goods for the Powwow circuit, but if you know what you want they have it. (Most of it, anyway.) If your not sure of what you want, call them and their very able staff will help.
Crazy Crow Trading Post - Craft materials & finished goods - tends to be geared to the modern Powwow circuit - remember to be sure of what you want versus what you order and you will get high quality goods from Crazy Crow.
Noc Bay Trading Company - Quality goods, fair prices and a friendly and knowledgeable staff make this a great company to do business with. Like Crazy Crow and Wandering Bull, they cater to the Powwow circuit, so be sure of what you are getting.
Iroqrafts - Materials, books, etc. In business since 1959 for good reason. Iroquois owned.
Spirit Connection Store - Spirit Connection carries thousands of craft supplies and finished items from animal parts to tomahawks. Good products - Good Prices.
Turkey Foot Trading Company and Forge LLC. - "We are purveyors of 18th and 19th Century merchandise. Our goods include wool blankets, beads, ironwork, tinware, quillwork and more." These are the opening lines on their website. The "and more is an understatement. Allen and Colleen are great people. If you run in to them at an event, and can be patient enough to wait till they are not to busy, they are both a wealth of knowledge.
R. E. Davis Company - Excellent source of parts or finished weapons; either edged or firearms.
Centralia Fur & Hide - A tremendous source of fur, hide and lots of other goods for your projects.
Smoke and Fire Trading Post - Smoke and Fire is a true sutler that comes to lots of events. They carry finished goods and are one of the best sources of kits. They also publish a newspaper which includes one of the most complete schedules of coming events.
Two Bears Trading Company - Good source for leather, fur and animal parts.
James Townsend & Son, Inc - A very good sutler. Many excellent goods, however, be sure of what you are getting. Some of their knives are not of the best quality.
Historic Seams - Historical clothing and tailor.
C & D Jarnagin Company - Purveyor of fine goods including clothing, tinware, firearms, etc.
The Sutler of Mount Misery; G. Gedney Godwin, Inc. - Good tomahawks, swords (yes Indians carried swords), and a long list of other essential goods.
Colonial Market - A web service of Historical Enterprises. Links to several very good purveyors of period goods.
Avalan Forge - Tin and wooden wares, knives, "hawks," axes, and other tools. Good Quality. Excellent pricing.
Many of these sites ( including this one) operate through the generosity of others. Help out if you can!
Craft Information
NativeTech.org - One of the best instructional sites on the web. If you can see your way clear to give a donation, please do. The site is worth it.
A Beginners Guide to Woodland Indian Reenacting - I've included this site under crafts. It deals primarily with clothing and accouterments. Great Site.
Crazy Crow Trading Post - Craft instructional section - here you will find lots of very good how-to and research information. Remember that Crazy Crow is geared to the Powwow Circuit. Double check before making or buying anything.
Noc Bay Trading Company-Learning Circle - Very good craft instructions and research information. Use with the same admonitions as Crazy Crow.
History & Culture
Native American Lore- This is an index page to lots of stories dealing with the myths of various tribes. You can gain tremendous understanding of a people through their mythology.
First Nations Compact Histories - This is a very good historic information site. Not all tribes are included at present but many of the major tribes are and others may be added in the future.
Indian Wars Time Table - Follow the Links in this time table for very good condensed histories and biographies.
Native Languages of the Americas - While this site is primarily about language and deserves study from that aspect, follow its links to an abundance historical and cultural information.
Living History and Pre-1840's Buckskinning- Great website. Lots of good information. Not the prettiest or most well organized site, but give it a good once over and I think you will be back for a second, third, ... time.
American History Online Resources - Put together as a teacher resource page, contains tremendous (both in quantity and quality) links for reenacters and students of Indians. Also pages for Colonial and Revolutionary War history.
The French and Indian War in Pennsylvania - The war began in Pa. with the actions of one George Washington. This is a page in the site of ExplorePAhistory.com. Excellent!
"An Account of Two Attacks on Fort William Henry" - In 1757, during the French andIndian War Fort William Henry was attacked twice. The second was the seige made famous in "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fennimore Cooper and in the movie of the same name which I highly reccommend. The accounts I have linked to here were written in March and August of 1757 at the time of the attacks.
The Seven Years War - Website dedicated to the War known in American History as the French & Indian War. Information slanted heavily to the French, British and American points of view with only cursory mentions of the Indians, but good history anyway. Follow their links to get every thing you can from this website sponsored by
MilitaryHeritage.com.
The American Revolution - Another page from ExplorePahistory.com.
AmericanRevolution.Org - A website with thousands of links to history & culture of the time period of the American Revolution.
"Liberty - The American Revolution" - Website associated with the PBS Documentary.
ExplorePAhistory.com/stories - This is the listing page for two previous links I have included. There a several other stories relevant to this website. Read them all and follow the links. An Excellent Website!
Archiving Early America - "As you browse through these pages, you will find it easier to understand the people, places and events of this significant time in the American experience." from their website.
The American Revolution/The History Place - Good Article and Good Website.
Indian Records/Access Geneology - Histories of many tribes and individuals along with great geneological tools.
Ohio History Central Indians Pages - Ohio, claimed by Virginia in the Colonial Period, was a major center of Indian habitation and very much on the frontline of conflict between British and later American interests and the native populations. Great website.
Coalition of Historical Trekkers - Organization of individuals interested in recreating the hunters and trekkers of the late colonial and early American period. Membership is open to adults and their families.
The Woodland Confederacy - "The Woodland Confederacy is a historical re-enactment organization dedicated to portraying Native Americans of the eastern woodlands. With a membership of over fifty friends and families, we depict the native peoples of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, from early colonial contact, to the Seven Years War in America (also known as the French & Indian War) through the American Revolution." This quote is opening paragraph in their website. They are an excellent organization and their website "Resources" page contains lots of helpful information.
Les Compagnies Franches de la Marine du Fort Toulose - The "official" reenactment group for Fort Toulose. Excellent living historians. Check out their website and visit the Fort if possible.
Morgan's Riflemen - Recreating the Rifle Company of backwoodsmen assigned to General Daniel Morgan.
Brant's Volunteers - Good informational page on Thayendanega (aka Joseph Brant) w/ Telephone Contact to join this organization.
The Captive Corp - 1750's through 1800 - this is not yet a link to a web page. This group is just being formed. We intend to form a group of Indians and their Captives. Indians must be of the western Pennsylvania, western Virginia, Ohio Frontier Tribes. White and Black Captives may portray either new captives or captive adoptees of the tribe. Men, women and young people are welcome. If you are under 18 years of age you must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling or have a parent/gaurdian sign a release for you to participate. If you are interested click on the link to e-mail.
MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION -
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER -Experience the legacy of America's first people.
General Information
Smithsonian Institution - Native American History and Culture - Native American Resources- Links to tons of Info and Reading Lists.
Historical Enterprises- A web service company for "Sutlers." Links to several very good purveyors of period goods through their Colonial Market; HistoricalTrekking.com has lots of good info including listings of events; "On the Trail - A Journal for Historical Trekkers, Re-enactors and Students of Living History 1600 -1840" can be subscribed to through this link.
Native American Indian Resources- Information on lots of things Indian.Wampum, stories, e-books, and much more. I've included a few links here that appear within the main site because it is not the easiest site to navigate, however the information on this site is great with lots of links to other worthwhile sites.
Oyate-This site deals largely with modern issues. It is an excellent site. My main reason for including it on this site is that they have a reading and a do not read list. the do not read list contains books that perpetuate old stereotypes. You may want to read them to know what not to do.
500 Nations - Links to all things Indian (mostly contemporary)
It was difficult to know what category to put these next links in so I have created a seperate one. These individuals and the associated links are artists and art work that specialize in subject matter of the 18th century and Eastern Woodland Indians in particular. While there work is beautiful and very accurate, the captions associated with with each print are very good. After opening each link, Click on the images and read.
Robert Griffing - His Biography
His Canvas Reproductions
Limited Edition Lithograph Prints
Decorator Prints
Open Edition Prints
The "Griffing" Links are through Paramount Press
John Buxton - His Biography
Historical Vignettes
Historical Events
Historical Portrature
American Woodland Indians - Author: M.G. Johnson Illustrator: R. Hook
This volume details the history, culture and conflicts of the 'Woodland' Indians, a name assigned to all the tribes living east of the Mississippi River between the Gulf of Mexico and James Bay... this title explores the history and culture of the American Woodland Indians.
American Indians of the Southeast -Author: M.G. Johnson Illustrator: R. Hook
The southeastern people were the descendants of ancient prehistoric Indian cultures...Despite being poorly reported in popular histories, they have been well described by several early European traders and by a number of well-known American ethnologists...The white man's expanding plantation society and the tragic removal of the Indian population to Indian Territory saw the end of this...culture. This title examines the absorbing history and culture of the native peoples of the southeastern United States.
Indian Tribes of the New England Frontier
Author: M.G. Johnson Illustrator: J. Smith
This book offers a detailed introduction to the tribes of the New England region... By 1700 several tribes had already been virtually destroyed...The tribes were also drawn into the savage frontier wars between the French and the British. The final defeat of French Canada and the subsequent unchecked expansion of the British colonies resulted in the virtual extinction of the region’s Indian culture, which is only now being revived by small descendant communities.
Colonial American Troops 1610–1774 (2)
Colonial American Troops 1610–1774 (3)
Author: R. Chartrand Illustrator: D. Rickman
A Three Part Study
From the earliest English settlements, the survival of the infant colonies in North America depended upon local militias. Throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries the burden of successive wars with the American Indians, and with the regular troops and militias of Britain's colonial rivals France and Spain, fell mainly upon locally raised volunteers. ...first of a ...three-part study includes ...introduction... chronology, and ...Crown troops in North America; and begins a colony-by-colony review of militias and provincial units. ...second of a .. three-part study covers the militias and provincial troops raised in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, New York and New Jersey.
King George's Army 1740–93 (2)
King George's Army 1740–93 (3)
Author: S. Reid Illustrator: P. Chappell
Three Part Study
To most contemporary politicians the 18th century British Army was no more than an unwelcome necessity in wartime and an unjustifiable extravagance in peacetime. Nevertheless,...the British Army of the 18th century was very little different in character or in spirit from today's British Army. (These) book(s look) at the uniforms and organisation...of King George's Army.
Wolfe's Army
Author: R. May Illustrator: G. Embleton
The British victory at Quebec in 1759 was a landmark in the history of North America. ...the pivotal figures in the Seven Years' War, a cast which included George Washington, Sir William Johnson, Lord Howe and Montcalm, Major-General Wolfe... Enhanced by illustrations and photographs, this book focuses on the British forces throughout their disastrous and triumphant wilderness campaigns which ultimately ensured the birth of the English-speaking United States of America.
The American Provincial Corps 1775–84
Author: P. Katcher Illustrator: M. Youens
Initially British officials were reluctant to accept the offers of loyal subjects to form fighting units but eventually the potential of a Provincial corps was realized. Yet they never received the whole-hearted support of the British regular army and this was a factor in their eventual defeat. Nonetheless the Provincial Corps served with distinction – even fighting against the Spanish in Nicaragua and the Bahamas – and some remained in service for several more years by relocating to Canada. This book examines their experiences in this continental conflict and details their uniforms and equipment.
The British Army in North America 1775–83
For sheer guts, the Redcoats' behaviour at Bunker Hill, Saratoga and other bloody encounters has rarely been surpassed. The Americans won, but only just, and then thanks to foreign intervention and a small number of dedicated and valiant patriots who were continually let down by their own people. Robin May's splendid work looks at the British Army that fought in the American Revolution from 1775 to1783. It details the soldiers who faced the difficulties of campaigning in America along with the gross inefficiency and corruption at home which, along with their generals' often blundering conduct, were as deadly enemies as the Americans.
George Washington’s Army
Author: P. Young Illustrator: M. Roffe
This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of George Washington’s Army. The chronology of the American Revolution is summarised, and its major personalities introduced. Uniforms are shown in full illustrated detail.
General Washington's Army(1)
General Washington's Army(2)
Two Part Study
Author: M. Zlatich Illustrator:P. Copeland
During the period 1775-78, General Washington commanded three separate armies: the New England Army of 1775; the one-year army of the United Colonies, renamed Army of the United States in July 1776; and the forces established by the Continental Congress to serve for three years from January 1777, or for the duration. For the early years of the American War of Independence, George Washington’s troops were clothed in a variety of uniforms from various sources. With the receipt in late 1778 of over 25,000 uniforms imported from France, much of the Continental army was uniformly clothed in blue or brown coats faced with red. Eight colour plates ... and a plethora of black and white photographs and illustrations usefully support the author’s detailed text.
Go to the Osprey Publications, LTD. Website for lots more titles.
The links below are specificaly related to Scouting; Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts & Venture Scouts. I am not excluding Girl Scouts by design, I just haven't been involved with them to date and don't know anything about their program. If any Girl Scouts are interested in a program similar to Boonesboro Village contact me through the link on that page and we'll see what we can work out.
Daniel Boone Council - This is the council that administers Camp Daniel Boone where Boonesboro Village is held.
Camp Daniel Boone - The next season begins on June 10, 2007
Boonesboro Village - See you there!
Boy Scouts of America - Official Website.
The Ultimate Boy Scouts of America History Site - the name says it all.
BoyScouts.com - Troop listings, crossword puzzle, history and more.
Boy Scout Trail - all about advancement.
Merit Badge Research Center - good info and links for earning merit badges.
Wikipedia on Boy Scouts - Excellent encyclopdic entry on Scouts.
Boy Scouts of America on Yahoo - Directory of BSA related Links.
Scoutmaster.org - Resources for Scoutmasters and Scout Leaders.
Scoutorama.com - Boy Scout Resoures All Kinds of scouts-all kinds of resources.
Contact Form
Contact E-Mail - shemaqua@cox.net
Contact Phone # 1. 757.253.6999
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Shemaqua/BigBearsDen.org
This list contains books on a wide variety of subjects. It is, at best, an abbreviated list of books I have read over a period of many years from which I have gained much knowledge. Many of these books are on a college reading level, but I recommend that everyone give them all a try. Don’t run out and buy them. Check out your Public and Local College Libraries. Many of them can be found there. Then you can make an informed decision on which to add to your personal collection. (This is an incomplete list and will be added to periodically. Check Back Often!)
“Algonquin, The Last” Theodore Kazimiroff
“American Indian Literature, Masterpieces of” W. G. Regier
“American Indian Prayers & Poetry” J. E. Sharpe
“American Indian, Concise Encyclopedia of the” Bruce Grant
“Blue Jacket War Chief of the Shawnee” A. W. Eckert (Note- The supposition that
Blue Jacket was white is in dispute, but the book is accurate in many other ways.)
“Buckskinning, The Book of” Volume’s I – VIII. Reprints from Muzzleloader Magazine
“Chadega and the Weeping Tree, The Legend of” F. E. Wood
“Chain Breaker’s War – A Seneca Chief Remembers the American Revolution” J. W. Adler
“Cherokee Clothing, How to Make” Donald Sizemore
“Cherokee Words with Pictures” M. C. Chiltoskey
“Cherokee, Beginning” R. B. Holmes & B. S. Smith
“Cherokee, The” Theda Perdue
“Cherokees Past and Present, The” J. E. Sharpe
“Craft Manual of North American Indian Footwear” G. M. White
“Crafts of the North American Indians – A Craftsman’s Manual” R. C. Schneider
“Daniel Boone - The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer” J. M. Faragher
“Delaware Indians – A History, The” C. A. Weslager
“Delaware Indians and Picture Writing, Legends of the” R. C. Adams
“Finger Weaving: Indian Braiding” A. R. Turner
“Five Indian Nations Depending on the Province of New-York in America, History
of the” Cadwallader Colden
“Flying with the Eagle, Racing the Great Bear – Stories from Native North America”
Joseph Bruchac
“Gods of War, Gods of Peace – How The Meeting of Native and Colonial Religions
Shaped Early America” Russell Bourne
“Indian Captive – The Story of Mary Jemison” Lois Lenski
“Indian Captivity, Escape from – The Story of Mary Draper Ingles and son Thomas Ingles”
R. I. Steele & A. L. Ingles
“Indian Clothing of the Great Lakes: 1740 – 1840” Sheryl Hartman
“Indian Handcrafts” C. Keith Wilbur
“Indian Herbalogy Of North America” A. R. Hutchens
“Indian Legends, Favorite North American” Philip Smith
“Indian Lore” B.S.A. Merit Badge Series
“Indian Sign Language” William Tomkins
“Indian Stories of Virginia’s Last Frontier” L. F. Addington
“Indian Wars From Colonial Times to Wounded Knee, Chronicle of the” Alan Axelrod
“Indiancraft, The Complete How-to Book of” W. Ben Hunt
“Iroquois Crafts” C. A. Lyford
“Iroquois Empire, The Ambiguous” Francis Jennings
“Iroquois Stories- Heroes and Heroines, Monsters and Magic” Joseph Bruchac
“Iroquois, The” S. C. Kim, A.M., Ph.D.
“King Philip’s War – The History and Legacy of America’s Forgotten Conflict”
E. B. Schultz & M. J. Tougias
“Lenapes, The” R. S. Grumet
“Men-At-Arms Series” Ospey Publishing Ltd. See Links Above
“Mohicans of Stockbridge, The” Patrick Frazier
“Native American History – A Chronology of the Culture’s Vast Achievements and
Their Links to World Events” Judith Nies
“Native American Legends” G. E. Lankford
“Native American Sweat Lodge – History and Legends, The” Joseph Bruchac
“Native Plant Stories” Joseph Bruchac
“Native Time – A Historical Time Line of Native America” Lee Francis
“North American Indians, Myths of the” Lewis Spence
“Quillwork Companion, A” Jean Heinbuch
“Rough-Face Girl, The” Rafe Martin
“Secrets of the Sacred White Buffalo – Native American Healing Remedies, Rites & Rituals”
Gary Null, Ph.D.
“Shawnee! – The Ceremonialism of a Native Indian Tribe and Its Cultural Background”
J. H. Howard
“Shawnee, The” J. E. Clark
“Shawnee, The” Janet Hubbard-Brown
“Spirits of the Earth – A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories,
and Ceremonies” Bobby Lake-Thom
“Story of the Cherokee People, The” T. B. Underwood
“Their Bearing is Noble and Proud – A collection of narratives regarding the
appearance of Native Americans from 1740 – 1815” J. F. O’Neil II
“Wampum Belts of the Iroquois” Tehanetorens (Ray Fadden)
“Wind Dancer’s Flute” F. E. Wood
“Words of Power – Voices from Indian America” N. S. Hill, Jr.
Contact Form
Contact E-Mail - shemaqua@cox.net
Contact Phone # 1. 757.253.6999
Some graphics provided by
Copyright (C) 2006
Shemaqua/BigBearsDen.org