Dill's Tavern, its Wheelwright's Shop, and the reconstructed 1820's Log Barn serve as backdrops for our two-day Tavern Days program. Participants attend six seminars which cover such diverse subjects as Naval medicine, fly-fishing philosophy, and insight into the archeological dig at Dill's Tavern. In addition to six classes, attendees are served an 18th-century tavern supper, instructed in table manners, participate in Colonial Divine Worship, and entertained with 18th Century music and dance.  

Read about our presentations below, view last year's Tavern Days video at left, and use our digital form to sign up now for Tavern Days 2012.  Discounted registration fee is $259 before May 1st; after May 1st registration is $275.  Info on special pricing for local lodging to be available soon.

Clothing and Manners Maketh Man (and Woman)
Jane Pease and Dan McMahon return after a successful presentation last year on colonial clothing.  Jane and Dan will give attendees a look at clothing, manners, and social class in British North America during the 18th century. 

Jane Pease studied textiles and clothing at Cornell University and has been researching and constructing historic clothing for 15 years. She is a living history interpreter at several Northern Virginia historic houses such as Carlyle House, Gunston Hall, and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Jane presents classes and workshops on historic clothing, 18th century deportment, clothing construction, and living history presentation.

Dan McMahon has been a reenactor and living history interpreter for around 30 years.  He was a co-founder, President, and Company Commander of Muskets of the Crown, a military reenactment group that portrays the Grenadier Companies of the 77th Regiment of Foot (French and Indian War), and the 42nd Regiment of Foot (Revolutionary War).  He has been a living history interpreter at Rock Ford Plantation, the Two Mile House Celtic Festival, and other Mid-Atlantic events.  Dan and Jane's recent strategic merger has allowed Jane to sharpen her skills as a military campfollower, while Dan has settled easily into the life of a Virginia gentleman.

18th Century Fishing and Philosophy
Well-known author of The Colonial Angler, Ken Reinard will present information on 18th century fly fishing and the most famous of all fishing philosophers, Izaak Walton. Ken specializes in the tackle and techniques for the fly fisherman of Colonial times. He has thoroughly researched the history and tools of fly fishing as far back as the 1400s.  This knowledge is evident throughout Ken's vivid and life-like presentations in which he makes use of authentic equipment of the 18th century.

Wheelwright's Shop and Log Barn at Dill's Plantation
Sam McKinney, chief restorer at Dill's Tavern, will conduct a tour of the Wheelwright's Shop and the newly built Log Barn. In 2011 NYCYAPS completed the Wheelwright's Shop as a center for Preservation Workshops. The shop is a fully equipped 18th/19th century work area with a blacksmith's forge, a treadle lathe, winches and many other early machines and tools. By May of 2012 NYCHAPS expects to have completed the reconstruction of an 18th century Log Barn to house animals for special events, and serve as an orientation center and display facility for archaeological artifacts. 

Naval Medicine of the 1812 Era
In recognition of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Dr. Lee Davis will discuss medications, devices, and seemingly gruesome medical instruments of the early 19th Century. This presentation will be from a naval surgeon's perspective emphasizing some of the health concerns typical of sailors.

Dr. Lee Davis has worked in medicine for over thirty years, including eight years in the U.S. Navy gaining first hand experience of medicine at sea. He has been involved in living history and reenacting since 1975, primarily medical impressions of various periods from the 17th to the 19th Centuries. Dr. Davis is a member of the Naval and Marine Living History Association, has been published in Muzzleloader magazine, and has been a guest lecturer on 18th Century Military Surgery at the French and Indian War Seminar in Jumonville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Davis and his wife Janet, under the name "Splints & Splices," present on 18th and early 19th Century naval medicine, weapons, navigation gear, bos'un gear, and naval cuisine.

Popular Music in the 18th Century
Focusing on popular dance tunes, songs, and melodies played by everyday colonials, musician Robert Mouland will discuss the role of music in the 18th century.  Instruments showcased will be the Baroque violin (circa 1760), the Baroque flute (circa 1790), the flageolet (circa 1850 with roots dating to the 17th century) and the English guitar (circa 1770).  Mouland will delve into the notion of music as a means of status and class.
 
Robert performs on both 18th century period and antique instruments and is a wonderful storyteller.  His programs are filled with music and good humor. Bob performs at Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon and other historic sites.  www.wireharp.com

The Archeological Dig at Dill's Tavern
Well-known and highly respected archeologist Steve Warfel will present information on the ongoing archeological dig at Dill's Tavern and some of the 40,000 items his team has found.  Upon removal of a porch on the south side of the tavern building, masonry ruins of an earlier structure were partially exposed by site staff.  Additionally, an old well--located only a few feet east of the tavern--was unexpectedly discovered during installation of a fence.  This presentation examines the methods and results of an archaeological dig, undertaken during the summer of 2011 to determine the nature and extent of the ruins and well.  Learn how archaeologists control horizontal and vertical space on an excavation site, record the context of discovery, and extract historical information about past life at Dill's Tavern from an artifact assemblage numbering more than 48,000 pieces.   

Stephen G. Warfel has conducted archaeological investigations on prehistoric and historic period sites for the past forty-three years.  He earned degrees in Anthropology from Franklin and Marshall College (1971) and Brown University (1980) and specializes in Historical Archaeology.  Steve is a past president of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology and was The State Museum of Pennsylvania’s Senior Curator of Archaeology from 1980 until retirement in June 2007.  He now works as a consulting archaeologist and recently directed investigations at the sites of Fort Morris in Shippensburg, the Schultz House in York, the Samuel Blunston property in Columbia, and Dill's Tavern in Dillsburg.  Steve has authored numerous journal articles and publications, including a popular booklet series about archaeological discoveries at Ephrata Cloister, a German religious community founded in 1732.

From Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, registrants will be immersed in 18th century life thanks to roving entertainers, first-person vignettes, and tours of the tavern property.  Registrants will have down-time to explore the tavern grounds in more detail, plus sit and converse with the many 18th century characters in the parlor and the tap-room. Meal servers and characters will be portrayed by members of Muskets of the Crown and the History Club from Northern York County High School.  

On Saturday evening, registrants will be treated to the sights and smells of foods being prepared in the open hearth by Dill’s Tavern colonial cook, Linda Zeigler.    

Along with cooking the Tavern Supper, Linda will present a Manners and Civility class in which participants will learn the proper way to sit at table, correct use of eating utensils, and other tips to help you make your way in 18th century society. Linda has over 20 years of experience with hearth cooking and bake ovens.  She has demonstrated 18th and 19th century foodways at museums including Landis Valley Farm Musuem and has cooked in the restored kitchens of Colonial Williamsburg.  Following the Saturday night Tavern Supper, there will be an 18th century dance in the Tavern courtyard, music provided by Robert Mouland. Returning as dancemasters will be William and Susan Gable, accomplished 18th century dancers and living history enthusiasts. 

Attend all six classes, learn about colonial  manners, eat an 18th century tavern dinner, dance to live music, and more.   Sign up now for Tavern Days 2012!