PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE
We welcome this opportunity to
introduce ourselves to you. Our names are Mark and Sharon Brown. We have
been, as a couple, heavily involved in living history interpretation for
many different time periods. It has been our pleasure for the past 30 years
to work with historic sites and societies, as well as schools and
universities, in providing programs on various topics.
As a Coast
Guard family, we have had the opportunity to live in various states. We are
thankful to now be in Montana - a place that is not only beautiful but rich
in history.
You will find us listed in the New England Speakers
Sourcebook, ALHFAM, the Connecticut League of Historical Societies, and are
speakers for the Humanities Councils for the states of Missouri, Illinois,
Iowa, North & South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. We have also
presented nationally attended programs in the states of Connecticut,
Massachusetts and California.
The following is a brief description
of the types of programs we present to various age and educational
backgrounds:
HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY: A GUIDE FOR HISTORIC SITES IN
THE IDENTIFICATION OF EARLY PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND THE DATING OF MUSEUM
COLLECTIONS. Many historic sites find it a challenge to accurately date and
preserve their photographic collections. This program is designed to help
sites identify early photographic processes (colloid, ferro, ambro,
daguerreotypes, etc.), as well as a discussion of fashion and photographic
formatting as it pertains to accurately dating pictures. We have an
extensive collection of early cameras and use original emulsions to
continue what has become a lost art. The
program also incorporates the care
and preservation of collections - what should and should not be done to
insure collections remain intact throughout the
years.
HISTORICAL FASHION REVIEW: With a collection of over 500
original and reproduced garments dating from 1740 to 1840, we provide a
fashion program that not only shows changes in style, but social changes in
America that affected or was reflected in dress. This program includes
men=92s civilian and military attire, complete with weaponry and
accoutrements, as well as the dress of the everyday woman and child.
Programs can be tailored to fit specific years or topics (wedding customs,
mourning attire, courtship rituals, etc.) If possible, individuals from the
local community are used as models for reproduced garments. The program has
been used quite successfully as a fund raiser as it holds something for
everyone and is done in a light tone.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR
SCHOOLS: By far, this is our favorite area of speaking. We have presented
100s of programs to various ages and educational levels on the
Revolutionary, Civil and Indian Wars periods of American history. By
bringing into the classroom a large array of uniforms,
accoutrements, dresses, ballgowns and hands-on items, learning
history takes on a more interesting look. First-person histories are
presented on soldier camp life, the use of scouts during the India Wars,
and the sights that one battlefield nurse actually faced during the Civil
War. Our goal is to dispel common myths and encourage further research.
Students become an active part of the program, and programs can be
tailor-made to fit the needs of each individual teacher to enhance their
curriculum. Social, as well as political, issues are discussed, as are
their effects on the people living during these periods of American
history.
EARLY TEXTILE HISTORY: Workshops on early printing
processes, weaving, technological advances, dye processes, etc. are presented. Also included are histories of the early New England mills and
the evolution of the communities surrounding them. We currently work with
numerous living history sites and museums throughout the U.S., Canada,
Japan and Europe in supplying their mercantile museums with reproduction
fabrics and recreating garments from their collections for display
purposes.
HISTORICAL GARMENT CONSTRUCTION: Workshops are tailor
made to fit the proficiency of the participants (novice seamstress to
experienced site costumer). Displayed original and reproduced garments
(including accessories) aid in the presentation of topics - which include
selection of appropriate materials for the impression portrayed; historical
sewing techniques and cutting systems; and the construction and appropriate
fitting techniques needed to produce an accurate historical silhouette.
Separate garment workshops can be created for both civilian and military
participants. Individualized workshops on wedding attire and customs, and
the rituals of mourning throughout American history, are also
available.
Our programs have been
presented nationwide through the ALHFAM (Associationof Living History,
Farm & Agricultural Museums) network of living history and open air
museums. We are proud members of this organization and have taught site
customers from over 1,400 living history sites, including Colonial Williamsburg, Plimoth Plantation, Connor Prairie, Mystic Seaport, Old
Sacramento etc. and the National Park Services.
We hope
you will keep us in mind if a need for speakers or workshops arise. We hope
our knowledge, and the knowledge of all those we have met in the past and
have become friends with, will benefit the new communities we have yet to
see.
Mark & Sharon
Brown
The Camera Man & His
Wife