First Annual
4-H Western Heritage Conference and National Invitational Shoot
July 30-August 2, 2014
Virginia City and Nevada City, Montana
4-H Western Heritage Conference and National Invitational Shoot
July 30-August 2, 2014
Virginia City and Nevada City, Montana
Workshop Descriptions:
Workshop descriptions listed in the order of first appearance on the schedule and registration form.
Workshop descriptions listed in the order of first appearance on the schedule and registration form.
The Transcontinental Railroad
Matt Egloff
A Nation needs efficient communications, trade and defense if it is to survive. Before the transcontinental railroad, getting across the United States involved a long and dangerous cross-continent journey, or ocean crossings of many months. Multiple routes were proposed and explored for a transcontinental railroad. President Abraham Lincoln needed to show that even during a Civil War, the United States government could engage in other projects of national import and individual states and businessmen wanted control. The resulting competition, corruption and intrigue left a history more dramatic than Hollywood Plot or novelist could dream up.
Leather Work – Making a Belt Pouch
Curt Royer
Repairing harness, replacing a buckle, adding an attachment strap where needed, meant a traveler in the west had to improvise and use basic skills to stay on the trail and survive. Kurt Royer demonstrates the basic tools and skills for leather working. Each participant will start the construction of their own belt pouch to carry safety glasses or other items as needed.
Wheel Wright Demonstration
Rod Henderson
Wagons played a vital role in our western heritage, hauling people, goods, and feed/crops to their destination. Every trading post, fort, settlement, town, and place of commerce had a blacksmith and a wheelwright. Learn about the tools and the skills of the wheelwright through a live demonstration.
Frontier Fashion: Chintz, Calico, and Muslin
Margo Krager
Learn a brief history of the cotton industry in the United States as well as the attire of the frontier including how cotton influenced our society and our fashions. Filled with visuals of 19th century garments and quilts, this presentation also provides samples of woven and printed cottons representative of mid-19th century America such as chintz, calico, and muslin.
Maintaining Old West Guns
Todd Kesner
The 4-H Western Heritage Project incorporates many historic reproduction firearms into the curriculum to provide authenticity to the project. In this hands-on workshop, participants learn to safely disassemble these rifles, pistols, and shotguns for cleaning and simple maintenance using the proper tools and techniques.
Braid A Leather Whip
Zack Barr
Crack! Creating a loud bang by breaking the sound barrier, whips were very useful for herding cattle, and therefore were common throughout the old west days. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to make their own mini (hatband) whip. Learn the various steps of this ancient art through a hands-on experience.
Get the Lead In – Cast Lead Toy Soldiers
John Borba
Lead was a mainstay product in the 19th century. Lead was easy to obtain and work with and it had many uses in the Old West besides bullets. This workshop will cover some of those uses as well as provide participants the opportunity to cast bullets and lead soldier toys. You can keep what you make!
Wagons, Teams, and Harnesses
Presenter(s): TBA
Working with livestock to transport goods and families across the frontier was an everyday occurrence in the 19th Century. Learn about wagons and harnessing and driving a team of horses. This workshop will be ongoing throughout the conference.
The Letterpress – Set Type and Print Your Calling Card
Mike Seitz – Owner, Quality Letterpress
Letterpress printing with hand set type was the only means of mass communication other than handwriting up to the mid-1800s. The basics of press printing technology changed little for 200 years. Set type, lock the form, ink and impress your own calling card.
Cartridge Reloading Tools of the 19th Century
Donald W. Klinko
Breech loading firearms employing self-contained metallic cartridges represented a major improvement in firearm reliability, range, accuracy, effectiveness, and rapidity of fire, under all weather conditions. While components (powder, lead alloy, and primers) could generally be obtained, manufactured ammunition was frequently unavailable in remote frontier areas. The ability to reload ammunition with highly portable tools was a virtual necessity in the West. Participants see firsthand the tools and components to load ammunition in the 1800s.
Heritage Quilting: The 9-Patch
Pat Stackhouse and Martha Klaumann
Using historical patterns and fabrics typical of the 1800s, participants will sew a traditional 9-patch quilt square similar to the stitched bedcovers of the late 1800s. No previous sewing skills are necessary and participants take home their quilt patch. Learn and use sewing skills and see the beauty and charm of period quilts. A mini-trunk show of 9-patch quilt designs is sure to provide further inspiration.
Soap Making
Natalie Abbot
Bathing, washing and cleaning off the grime of trail life was a welcome and all too infrequent possibility on the emigrant trails. Make fresh soap from basic ingredients and take some to try when you are done.
Pan of Gold!
Antinioli Family
Gold was discovered in Alder Gulch by prospectors using simple hand tools. Try your hand and pan for color in Alder Gulch! Gold pans, water, shovels and coaching provided.
Clothing Interviews
Susan Abbot
This is an opportunity for 4-H members competing in the National 4-H Western Heritage Invitational Tournament on Saturday, August 2nd, to schedule their authentic clothing interview before the competition. There are several time slots available in the conference schedule and each competitor must choose one. Hurry, they fill up fast. Those only attending the shoot and not the conference may interview on Saturday. Remember, youth are not required to own all the period-style clothing – just have knowledge of the subject. Please see the interview score sheet for judging criteria. The PDF can be found at: (http://www.4-hwesternheritageproject.org/youth-activity-guide-companion.html)
Hardtack for Hard Times
John Borba
A breakfast for a cavalry trooper on the plains normally consisted of coffee, salt pork, and hardtack. Hardtack was a staple in the diet of Civil War and frontier soldiers as well as sailors. This course will cover a brief history of hardtack as well as a hands-on baking session. Participants will be given a recipe and keep the products they make.
Dutch Oven Cookery
Presenter(s): TBA
Participate in hands-on cooking with authentic Dutch Ovens just like the chuckwagon chef along the cow trial or immigrants on a wagon train. Eat what you make and share with others. Fun for any age.
Buttons & Needles & Thread; Oh My!
Susan Abbot
Today sewing by hand is largely a lost art. In the 1800’s, it was a necessary skill. Come learn the basic hand stitches used to make and repair clothing. Using needle and thread, this hands-on workshop engages participants in trying each type of stitch. Learn how to sew on various types of buttons and even sew a buttonhole for a dress, shirt, vest or coat. No prior experience is required. All materials are provided.
The American Pocket Watch, Timekeeper of the West
Scott Erholm and Jayne Downey
Discover the incredible mechanical timepieces that played an integral part in early westward expansion and later everyday life in the west: pocket watches! Accurate timekeeping was a crucial part of navigation, not only on the high seas, but the high plains as well. Through hands-on and practical applications, attendees will learn how the pocket watch shares a vital place in the history of the west. Learn all about the mechanical workings of an American pocket watch through direct examination and disassembly. Find out why the 19th century American pocket watch was the best timepiece in the world.
The Myths of Black Powder Corrosion: Black Powder Cartridge Firearm Maintenance
Donald W. Klinko
There are many misconceptions about the supposed destructive effects of shooting black powder in period firearms and the difficulty of cleaning them afterwards. Most such ideas are patently untrue, especially so when using black powder ammunition loaded with modern primers. These misconceptions deprive modern shooters of experiencing the use of period-correct ammunition causing many to shoot ammunition loaded with modern smokeless powder in 19th Century weapons never intended to be so used creating a potentially dangerous situation. This presentation will explain the chemicals comprising priming compounds and black powder fouling and demonstrate cleaning the firearms as well as preparing them for storage and use in harsh weather.
Ask the Archivist
Anne Foster
The gold-standard of historic research and interpretation is finding and using “primary source” materials. These can be difficult to locate, to access and sometimes challenging to understand. Yellowstone National Park Archivist, Anne Foster will walk you through the research process from initial searching to find sources, sitting down with an original document, and finally managing your results. Whether you are a research cheechako (greenhorn) or a sourdough (old hand), this program will give you tips that will make your search more efficient and effective. Bring your questions!
The Fully Dressed Lady – Corset, Petticoats, and Clothing of Daily Life
Leona Stredwick
Life on the frontier meant that women had to be able to dress to meet the needs of daily life. Dressing for travel, for heavy work, and on those rare occasions, for a fashionable trip to town involved effort and many layers. See ladies attire demonstrated as it was really worn, from work clothes to finery.
Log Hewing
Daniel Highley
In the west building basic shelter from native materials took time and creativity. Building more permanent structures required larger, more solid materials and a basic outfit of tools. Participants in this workshop see and try the tools while shaping logs for construction.
Conversation with the Midwife
Leona Stredwick
Medicine in the 19th Century was often more art than science. A trained midwife offered far more than birth and women’s medical care. In an era when Medical Doctors certificates proved more that a physician knew Latin and anatomy than actual medical cures, the midwife’s knowledge of practical and natural remedies were invaluable when trained and effective medical practitioners were few and far between.
Historic Gold Mill Tour
Nick Shrauger
This tour complements the Thursday afternoon general session. Guided by Nick Shrauger, see remnants of the Christenot gold crushing mill dating from 1866. Participants also learn of other Alder Gulch mining communities and pass a gravesite along the way. Wear good walking shoes and bring along insect spray and water.
Join the Artillery!
Will Abbot
The Mountain Howitzer was the most mobile lightweight defensive artillery available on the western frontier. While issued to the military they were often used by civilian wagon trains for defense against “hostiles.” Enlist now! Defend your Nation and Families!
Sewing Clothing -Make my own Period Outfit
Susan Abbot
Constructing garments for period outfits seems like an impossible task. Step by step, this workshop guides participants through this mysterious process; resources for finding the right pattern and material, laying out a pattern and sewing tips. Participants shall learn to make the unusual types of pleats used in garment construction during this time period. No prior experience necessary. All materials are provided.
Guns of the American Frontier Experience – Shoot 19th Century Firearms
Will Abbot and Rod Henderson
The reality and history frontier firearms were varied and fascinating. Learn about flintlock trade guns, the transition to percussion arms and the arrival of cartridge guns found in the west in the 1800s. See, load and shoot historic original and reproduction firearms from smooth bores to rifles, from loose powder and shot to metallic cartridge arms.
Cooking on a Wood Fired Stove
Glory Blue-Earth Highley
Fortunate was the woman who had an enclosed cook stove to prepare food on the trail. Most family cabins acquired a cook stove as soon as possible after setting up housekeeping. Learn tricks of cooking meals and baking tasty treats in Alder Gulch, Montana Territory.
Matt Egloff
A Nation needs efficient communications, trade and defense if it is to survive. Before the transcontinental railroad, getting across the United States involved a long and dangerous cross-continent journey, or ocean crossings of many months. Multiple routes were proposed and explored for a transcontinental railroad. President Abraham Lincoln needed to show that even during a Civil War, the United States government could engage in other projects of national import and individual states and businessmen wanted control. The resulting competition, corruption and intrigue left a history more dramatic than Hollywood Plot or novelist could dream up.
Leather Work – Making a Belt Pouch
Curt Royer
Repairing harness, replacing a buckle, adding an attachment strap where needed, meant a traveler in the west had to improvise and use basic skills to stay on the trail and survive. Kurt Royer demonstrates the basic tools and skills for leather working. Each participant will start the construction of their own belt pouch to carry safety glasses or other items as needed.
Wheel Wright Demonstration
Rod Henderson
Wagons played a vital role in our western heritage, hauling people, goods, and feed/crops to their destination. Every trading post, fort, settlement, town, and place of commerce had a blacksmith and a wheelwright. Learn about the tools and the skills of the wheelwright through a live demonstration.
Frontier Fashion: Chintz, Calico, and Muslin
Margo Krager
Learn a brief history of the cotton industry in the United States as well as the attire of the frontier including how cotton influenced our society and our fashions. Filled with visuals of 19th century garments and quilts, this presentation also provides samples of woven and printed cottons representative of mid-19th century America such as chintz, calico, and muslin.
Maintaining Old West Guns
Todd Kesner
The 4-H Western Heritage Project incorporates many historic reproduction firearms into the curriculum to provide authenticity to the project. In this hands-on workshop, participants learn to safely disassemble these rifles, pistols, and shotguns for cleaning and simple maintenance using the proper tools and techniques.
Braid A Leather Whip
Zack Barr
Crack! Creating a loud bang by breaking the sound barrier, whips were very useful for herding cattle, and therefore were common throughout the old west days. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to make their own mini (hatband) whip. Learn the various steps of this ancient art through a hands-on experience.
Get the Lead In – Cast Lead Toy Soldiers
John Borba
Lead was a mainstay product in the 19th century. Lead was easy to obtain and work with and it had many uses in the Old West besides bullets. This workshop will cover some of those uses as well as provide participants the opportunity to cast bullets and lead soldier toys. You can keep what you make!
Wagons, Teams, and Harnesses
Presenter(s): TBA
Working with livestock to transport goods and families across the frontier was an everyday occurrence in the 19th Century. Learn about wagons and harnessing and driving a team of horses. This workshop will be ongoing throughout the conference.
The Letterpress – Set Type and Print Your Calling Card
Mike Seitz – Owner, Quality Letterpress
Letterpress printing with hand set type was the only means of mass communication other than handwriting up to the mid-1800s. The basics of press printing technology changed little for 200 years. Set type, lock the form, ink and impress your own calling card.
Cartridge Reloading Tools of the 19th Century
Donald W. Klinko
Breech loading firearms employing self-contained metallic cartridges represented a major improvement in firearm reliability, range, accuracy, effectiveness, and rapidity of fire, under all weather conditions. While components (powder, lead alloy, and primers) could generally be obtained, manufactured ammunition was frequently unavailable in remote frontier areas. The ability to reload ammunition with highly portable tools was a virtual necessity in the West. Participants see firsthand the tools and components to load ammunition in the 1800s.
Heritage Quilting: The 9-Patch
Pat Stackhouse and Martha Klaumann
Using historical patterns and fabrics typical of the 1800s, participants will sew a traditional 9-patch quilt square similar to the stitched bedcovers of the late 1800s. No previous sewing skills are necessary and participants take home their quilt patch. Learn and use sewing skills and see the beauty and charm of period quilts. A mini-trunk show of 9-patch quilt designs is sure to provide further inspiration.
Soap Making
Natalie Abbot
Bathing, washing and cleaning off the grime of trail life was a welcome and all too infrequent possibility on the emigrant trails. Make fresh soap from basic ingredients and take some to try when you are done.
Pan of Gold!
Antinioli Family
Gold was discovered in Alder Gulch by prospectors using simple hand tools. Try your hand and pan for color in Alder Gulch! Gold pans, water, shovels and coaching provided.
Clothing Interviews
Susan Abbot
This is an opportunity for 4-H members competing in the National 4-H Western Heritage Invitational Tournament on Saturday, August 2nd, to schedule their authentic clothing interview before the competition. There are several time slots available in the conference schedule and each competitor must choose one. Hurry, they fill up fast. Those only attending the shoot and not the conference may interview on Saturday. Remember, youth are not required to own all the period-style clothing – just have knowledge of the subject. Please see the interview score sheet for judging criteria. The PDF can be found at: (http://www.4-hwesternheritageproject.org/youth-activity-guide-companion.html)
Hardtack for Hard Times
John Borba
A breakfast for a cavalry trooper on the plains normally consisted of coffee, salt pork, and hardtack. Hardtack was a staple in the diet of Civil War and frontier soldiers as well as sailors. This course will cover a brief history of hardtack as well as a hands-on baking session. Participants will be given a recipe and keep the products they make.
Dutch Oven Cookery
Presenter(s): TBA
Participate in hands-on cooking with authentic Dutch Ovens just like the chuckwagon chef along the cow trial or immigrants on a wagon train. Eat what you make and share with others. Fun for any age.
Buttons & Needles & Thread; Oh My!
Susan Abbot
Today sewing by hand is largely a lost art. In the 1800’s, it was a necessary skill. Come learn the basic hand stitches used to make and repair clothing. Using needle and thread, this hands-on workshop engages participants in trying each type of stitch. Learn how to sew on various types of buttons and even sew a buttonhole for a dress, shirt, vest or coat. No prior experience is required. All materials are provided.
The American Pocket Watch, Timekeeper of the West
Scott Erholm and Jayne Downey
Discover the incredible mechanical timepieces that played an integral part in early westward expansion and later everyday life in the west: pocket watches! Accurate timekeeping was a crucial part of navigation, not only on the high seas, but the high plains as well. Through hands-on and practical applications, attendees will learn how the pocket watch shares a vital place in the history of the west. Learn all about the mechanical workings of an American pocket watch through direct examination and disassembly. Find out why the 19th century American pocket watch was the best timepiece in the world.
The Myths of Black Powder Corrosion: Black Powder Cartridge Firearm Maintenance
Donald W. Klinko
There are many misconceptions about the supposed destructive effects of shooting black powder in period firearms and the difficulty of cleaning them afterwards. Most such ideas are patently untrue, especially so when using black powder ammunition loaded with modern primers. These misconceptions deprive modern shooters of experiencing the use of period-correct ammunition causing many to shoot ammunition loaded with modern smokeless powder in 19th Century weapons never intended to be so used creating a potentially dangerous situation. This presentation will explain the chemicals comprising priming compounds and black powder fouling and demonstrate cleaning the firearms as well as preparing them for storage and use in harsh weather.
Ask the Archivist
Anne Foster
The gold-standard of historic research and interpretation is finding and using “primary source” materials. These can be difficult to locate, to access and sometimes challenging to understand. Yellowstone National Park Archivist, Anne Foster will walk you through the research process from initial searching to find sources, sitting down with an original document, and finally managing your results. Whether you are a research cheechako (greenhorn) or a sourdough (old hand), this program will give you tips that will make your search more efficient and effective. Bring your questions!
The Fully Dressed Lady – Corset, Petticoats, and Clothing of Daily Life
Leona Stredwick
Life on the frontier meant that women had to be able to dress to meet the needs of daily life. Dressing for travel, for heavy work, and on those rare occasions, for a fashionable trip to town involved effort and many layers. See ladies attire demonstrated as it was really worn, from work clothes to finery.
Log Hewing
Daniel Highley
In the west building basic shelter from native materials took time and creativity. Building more permanent structures required larger, more solid materials and a basic outfit of tools. Participants in this workshop see and try the tools while shaping logs for construction.
Conversation with the Midwife
Leona Stredwick
Medicine in the 19th Century was often more art than science. A trained midwife offered far more than birth and women’s medical care. In an era when Medical Doctors certificates proved more that a physician knew Latin and anatomy than actual medical cures, the midwife’s knowledge of practical and natural remedies were invaluable when trained and effective medical practitioners were few and far between.
Historic Gold Mill Tour
Nick Shrauger
This tour complements the Thursday afternoon general session. Guided by Nick Shrauger, see remnants of the Christenot gold crushing mill dating from 1866. Participants also learn of other Alder Gulch mining communities and pass a gravesite along the way. Wear good walking shoes and bring along insect spray and water.
Join the Artillery!
Will Abbot
The Mountain Howitzer was the most mobile lightweight defensive artillery available on the western frontier. While issued to the military they were often used by civilian wagon trains for defense against “hostiles.” Enlist now! Defend your Nation and Families!
Sewing Clothing -Make my own Period Outfit
Susan Abbot
Constructing garments for period outfits seems like an impossible task. Step by step, this workshop guides participants through this mysterious process; resources for finding the right pattern and material, laying out a pattern and sewing tips. Participants shall learn to make the unusual types of pleats used in garment construction during this time period. No prior experience necessary. All materials are provided.
Guns of the American Frontier Experience – Shoot 19th Century Firearms
Will Abbot and Rod Henderson
The reality and history frontier firearms were varied and fascinating. Learn about flintlock trade guns, the transition to percussion arms and the arrival of cartridge guns found in the west in the 1800s. See, load and shoot historic original and reproduction firearms from smooth bores to rifles, from loose powder and shot to metallic cartridge arms.
Cooking on a Wood Fired Stove
Glory Blue-Earth Highley
Fortunate was the woman who had an enclosed cook stove to prepare food on the trail. Most family cabins acquired a cook stove as soon as possible after setting up housekeeping. Learn tricks of cooking meals and baking tasty treats in Alder Gulch, Montana Territory.