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Historic re-enactment

‘Lore of the Laughery’ living
history event to be held in May

Re-enactors to descend on tiny Friendship, Ind.

Staff Report

(April 2008) – The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association will hold its fourth annual living history event, “Lore of the Laughery,” May 3-4 in Friendship, Ind.
Held near the banks of scenic Laughery Creek on the grounds of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, this event draws its inspiration from the time period of 1750 to 1812 and focuses particularly on the early history of the local area. It is a little known fact that Laughery Creek was the site of one of the very few Revolutionary War engagements to take place in what is now the state of Indiana.

Re-enactors

Public hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The lush and beautiful Laughery Valley of southern Indiana has a unique story to tell – the lore of the Laughery. From earliest European explorations through the Revolutionary War and beyond, the Laughery Valley was witness to much of the political maneuvering, intrigue, and turmoil amongst foreign powers, Native tribes, and early settlers, leading to the birth of a new nation and to the eve of Indiana statehood. 
The telling of this story is a direct effort by the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association to increase its focus on educational programming, living history interpretation, and support of Early American craftsmanship. To advance these educational goals, Lore of the Laughery was conceived as a unique way to bring skilled and experienced living history interpreters into interactive contact with a public audience. The event is envisioned as a venue to engage not only the local community, but also attract an even wider public response through its approach to interpreting area history in a visually vivid, engaging and highly interactive format. 
Lore of the Laughery will have many colorful stories to tell of the 1750-1812 Eastern frontier, related through the pageantry of the recreated military units, period artisans, craftspeople, entertainers, voyageurs, merchants, civilian encampments, and period livestock demonstrations of the time period.
The event is a family-oriented one, with special hands-on activities planned for the children such as candle making, costume try-on and period games. Featured performers will include the Voyageur Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, a recreation of an 18th century Fife & Drum Corps that has as its membership children under age 18, the French Canadian sounds of Travelers Dream, Celtic band Father, Son & Friends, and the hammered dulcimer and fiddle of the group Jim’s Red Pants. 
Sidesaddle riders and a period horse encampment will introduce visitors to the rural lifestyle of the time.  Blacksmithing, spring pole lathe, gunsmithing, leatherworking, silversmithing, woodworking, spinning, braintanning of leather, weaving, bobbin lacemaking, and powderhorn making are just a few of the living arts skills that will be demonstrated. 
Several Native American-style wigwams will be set up for families to visit and enjoy.  Special features include a period fashion show and a re-enactment of frontier life by the Painted Stone Settlers. 
Lore of the Laughery is also pleased to welcome the “Mississinewa 1812” cannon crew, the host artillery featured at “Mississinewa 1812,” the largest War of 1812 re-enactment in North America.
Lore of the Laughery has become known amongst local educators as an outstanding historical education resource for their students. In acknowledgement of its responsibility to be a leader in interpreting Indiana fur trade and pioneer history, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association will again sponsor a “School Day Sneak Preview” on May 2 for pre-registered area school children.  Hundreds of children are expected to attend and engage in activities designed especially for them, including candle dipping, butter churning, Colonial games, and a costume try-on booth.  Educators and their students will enjoy a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from some of the finest historical interpreters in the country. 
As a premier living history event, Lore of the Laughery reflects and interprets the historical heritage of the area, telling the stories of the past with all of the joy, fear, humor, wisdom, sadness, pain, conflict, glory, pride and trepidation that the Eastern Frontier theater provided to the peoples and cultures that inhabited the region.
There is on-site parking at no extra charge. Handicap parking is available. No pets are allowed except assistance animals. Directions to the site and information about hotel and motel facilities and other area attractions may be obtained by contacting the Ripley County Tourism Bureau offices at 1-888-747-5394 or online at www.ripleycountytourism.com. The web address for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association is www.nmlra.org.   
Lore of the Laughery, at Friendship, Indiana, is sponsored by the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, with support from Friendship State Bank and the Ripley County Tourism Bureau.

• Tickets may be ordered in advance at a reduced rate of $4 for adults and $2 for children 4-12 by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope with check or money order to the NMLRA, P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021 or by calling 1-800-745-1493. Gate admission will be $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 4-12.

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