Hi all,

 We've migrated our blog-style posts to our Facebook page.  Thanks.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Historic-London-Town-and-Gardens/133424606700659

 

 

Our National Historic Landmark William Brown House is for the first time in 250 years, hosting guests for dinner! Our first successful private dinner party was held in the tavern room on Saturday night. 14 guests dined on caviar and champagne, duck and fois gras, accompanied by elegant French white bordeaux. Arriving by limosine, a candle lit oyster shell walk way led the guests at dusk up to the river front entrance. the doorway and mantels were decorated for the holidays with boxwood and ivy. Musicians with dulcimers and flutes serenated the guests throughout the meal, and a costumed docent strolled during cocktail hour offering bits of history about William Brown, London Town's known ferry master and inn keeper, and his home.  A dusting of snow greeted the guests as they left the party, as did unexpected fireworks in the night sky above Annapolis, viewed northward across the South River. A magical evening for all who attended. For information on renting the William Brown House, please contact Jean Shea, Director of Sales, at 410-222-1919 Ext. 203

A new exhibit has been placed in the Visitor Center exhibt hall. A  collection of glass oil lamps from the first half of the 19th century, donated by Jane Iglehart, is now on display. Usually refered to by collectors as "Sandwich"glass, these flint glass blown and pressed  lamps were produced in New England by both the New England Glass Company in Cambridge and the Boston and Sandwich Glass Factory betwen 1817 and 1888.  The invention of a glass pressing machine in 1825 greatly enhanced the numbers and kinds of designs  that could be produced. Over time these designs also adapted to changes in the fuels available until Kerosene became the most common fuel used after  1859.

Starting Labor Day Weekend, Historic London Town and Gardens will be offering two new tours every Saturday and Sunday in September: Three Families, Three Stories and Myths & Misconceptions.

Three Families, Three Stories explores the lifestyles of three different families from London Town's colonial history. To heighten your experience, you will be invited to dress in period clothing. The tour begins in the Lord Mayor's Tenement with the Midiates, a shipwright and his family.  After learning about the Midiates, the tour goes into the William Brown House (a National Historic Landmark) where participants learn about the Browns, a tavernkeeper's family.  The tour ends with participants learning about the other 'family' that lived in the Brown household, enslaved Africans.

Museum Myths and Misconceptions will take you through the William Brown House where our experienced guides will discuss some of the "myths" that are often repeated at many historic sites and museums throughout the country.  During the tour you will learn about "poisonous" tomatoes, four-foot tall people, and other misconceptions that though may be based in truth, have become misunderstood throughout the years.  Maybe you'll have a few myths and misconceptions to share.

Additionally, you will be able to see our two new interactive, temporary exhibits in the Visitor Center, designed for family entertainment.  Architecture Nook includes a display of architectural artifacts that have been found in Anne Arundel County and allows participants the challenge of building a brick wall.  Batteries Not Required: Colonial Games examines some game-related artifacts excavated at London Town and includes the opportunity to play a variety of colonial-era games with family and friends.

As these tours continue through September, feel free to comment on them, offer your own myths for review, and post pictures of our site on London Town's Facebook page.

As of yesterday, Historic London Town and Gardens joined Facebook and more firmly entered the 21st century.  As we learn more about how to work with social media and our website, we will update you via the London Town blog (which is also cross-posted on our Facebook page).  We highly encourage you to post your favorite pictures of Historic London Town and Gardens on our Facebook page to share them with the world.

Historic London Town and Gardens and  Southern Anne Arundel  County Chamber of Commerce presents...A Bridal Affaire -an exclusive bridal show event showcasing local businesses providing products and services for the discerning bride to be.

Vendors will include seasoned  professional caterers, florists, photographers, musical offerings with free samples, give aways and gift bags to each bride.

 Historic London Town and Gardens is fast becoming the premier Annapolis waterfront venue for it's majestic views, expansive space, multiple ceremony sites and proximity to downtown Annapolis and the Naval Academy. Only 1 wedding is booked for the day-yours!

 Attendance is free  Hours are 12 noon to 4pm on Sunday, October 24, 2010.

Registration of brides by phone at 410-222-1919 x203 with Jean Shea or by email at events@historiclondontown.org.

Vendor participation and or sponsorship forms available by clicking on the Bridal Show Header under the Weddings and Rentals tab at the top.

It is hard to believe that summer is nearing a close and that schools will be in session soon, but we are gearing up for our fall School Tour Season! Call 410.222.1919 or email education@historiclondontown.org today to book your field trip! The season is filling up quickly so be sure to get your school booked as soon as you can.  All of our programs are hands on, allowing every student to participate at every activity. Call today to help bring history alive for your students!

     On Sunday, July 11, the beginnings of the American Revolution came to Historic London Town and Gardens.  Over 200 visitors enjoyed live cannon fire by Ships Company, participated in militia drills, learned about hearth cooking, played colonial games, and toured the William Brown House while interacting with 1st-person interpreters.  Additionally, Annapolis Ice Cream Company gave out free scoops of ice cream to our visitors.  The demand was so much that all of it was gone by 2:30pm.

     This event was successful due to the large numbers of volunteers who helped interpret London Town's history and stories to the public.  The London Town Foundation thanks them for their invaluable service.

     Our next large living history event will be Sunday, November 7, when we explore the market and trades aspect of the colonial Chesapeake.

Ahhh, May is here and that means its time to check on the bees.  On Saturday, May 1, Kai Richardson came to London Town to see how his hives (in our Woodland Garden) were doing.  It was quite an experience for me to see the hives disassembled and then put back together.  Below are some pictures of Kai working as well as his own guest blog entry:

 

"It indeed was a fantastic day for checking on the bees.  The sun was shining and bees were especially active.  These two hives have thrived in Londontowne, particularly the one on the left.  Since I brought it to Londontowne 3 years ago from my former Charles County home, it has developed into the largest and most vibrant hive I have ever cared for.  Last year, over 100 pounds of delicious tulip poplar honey was harvested from this single hive, and from the way things look this spring, I am hopeful that we will have another bumper crop.

For obvious reasons, Spring is a critical time for both the bees and for beekeepers.  This is especially true in Maryland which has such a short "nectar flow" season.  This is the short three months starting April 1st and ending in late June during which there are plentiful nectar producing plants such as tulip poplar trees, locust trees, and basswood trees.  A beekeeper has to be ready to take advantage of this time when there is an excess of nectar and the bees are in full force to collect it and store it as honey.  As you can see from these pictures, I have loaded each hive with 5 extra boxes, or "supers", filled with just empty plastic honeycomb.  The bees are genetically predisposed to fill any extra space in the hive with nectar, even if they don't need that much to make it through the winter.  By July 4th here in Maryland, the nectar flow will end, and the extra boxes will be removed - hopefully full of Londontowne honey.  Not to worry though:  enough honey is always left for the bees, and there is a short nectar flow from fall flowers so they should have no problems surviving even the harshest Maryland winter!"

 

 

This past Saturday, April 17 (which was a great day for cooking), London Town's junior docents came out in force to cook and clean at the Lord Mayor's Tenement.  We had a lot of fun, the food was good, and the visitors that came had a great time.  Though I could write a bit more about the day, I'm going to let our guest blogger for this post, Perry (a Junior Docent), give her thoughts. (BTW - The next gathering is Saturday, May 15.  So come out and see what our Junior Docents can teach you about London Town!)

My name is Perry Gregory and I am a 11 year old  junior docent at London Town. On the day that these pictures were taken, (April 17) , we had a great time, giving tours ant the tenement, cooking apple coffin ( the colonial residents word for pie that had a top on it) and [leek] stew, and playing games . In the picture [below], My friend Emma and I are playing 12 mans bluff, which is a game sort of like a cross between tic tack toe, and checkers. The object of the game is to make three in a row of your own stones while simultaneously trying to block your opponent from doing so. We also aired out the beds, and swept the floor of the kitchen and the attic. It was very dusty. History has always been my favorite subject, and so coming to London Town is always a pleasure . Please come to our next event. It will be really fun and I would love to give you a tour! Thanks,  ~Perry Gregory