 |
bout
the North
American Frontiersmen. |
We, the North American Frontiersmen, are a new association
dedicated to meeting the challenges and enjoying the freedoms of
the original American pioneers. We strive to re-learn, practice,
and demonstrate the basic skills that our ancestors learned by
surviving. We hope in time to reach new standards of
authenticity, without losing sight of the fact that we do this
for FUN.
Many
today yearn for a simpler time of friendship and honor, when
folks of like minds gathered to celebrate simple existence under
the open skies. This is the primary purpose of the North
American Frontiersmen – to return, as often as possible, to a
time when people worked together to overcome the challenges of
nature, and so learned the meaning of trust and brotherhood.
There
are many worthy Associations dedicated to similar goals, under
the umbrella of “living history”. Some are more concerned
with presenting educational displays for the public, some are
more concerned with reenacting particular events. We regard
ourselves as “Experimental Historians”, seeking to re-create
the situations of the frontier, living
through the same conditions, and learning the practical
down-to-earth knowledge that is not recorded in books.
The
early history of our fellowship will be a building process with
the fewest rules possible, to ensure a common purpose and
recognize those who live up to our ideals. Our main purpose is
to offer yet another path towards the “shining times” we all
recall when first exploring this thing called "living
history". Some of our terms will look familiar, some will
be different, because we have tried to learn from those who have
gone before. Overall, our desire is to respect the terms used
throughout North American History by the first pioneers who
ventured onto this land.
We
are a survival mined group not re-enactors, our members are
Buckskinners, Mountain Men, Long Hunters, Frontiersmen and
Trekkers, that are living in the 21st century, but we are using
the skills of those that survived in the hardier times from 1750
to 1843. By using the early methods (skills) to live as did our
forefathers, we learn what life was like to the closest degree
possible while existing in our modern world.
Stop
dreaming about what others are doing. Let’s share information
that we have discovered by doing our research. Some examples are
shown on this camp site: information on "point
blankets" and some great pictures of historic wares from
different collections. We will also be featuring traders and
suppliers whose goods have proven useful in the field. As time
passes, we will be adding reports and articles
submitted by our members. We will have an index
of archived information to make it easier to search for items if
interest.
The information shown on our BY-LAWS page has been
intensively reviewed, but is still in its formative
stages. Changes will occur as we live with these
regulations and as suggestions are received. Much
experience is embedded here, but we can always learn
more. And “Hey, ladies” there's a place for you,
stop washing that floor and give us your input. Women
were walking the trail alongside their mates and
families all across this land – we don’t intend to
stop at only “half the story”.