A few weeks ago, my dear friend and surrogate sister, Sarah asked me if I was going to the Galesburg Candle Lighting Ball. Galesburg being so far away, I wasn't sure, but I wanted to see Sarah HORRIBLY! Thankfully, I have a brave, amazing friend in Heather! We both reenact, I have done so since 2005, Heather more recently, but we both decided we wanted to do more events. I broached the subject with her, expecting a "oh dear...that's far too long a drive!" but I got a simple, "SURE!". I was flabbergasted! Thus, Heather and I began to plot our trip to Galesburg. As the days ticked down, I became more and more anxious, feeling as though my heart would burst from my chest! Sarah and I plotted our attacks, we were both sure that we would get the first tackle hug on the other, and we would simply have to see.
I wish I could say the day started out bright and sunny, but it didn't. The sun fought to scratch through the thick layer of gray murky clouds, eventually giving up for the time. Rain had no trouble finding it's way through, though! I plotted my course carefully, packing a small suitcase in the morning, (I intended to wear a day dress to our first stop, and my beautiful ballgown care of Sarah, to the ball). All of my items were delicately placed in the small suitcase and zipped away. I took a quick shower, and put my hair up. My braids ACTUALLY stayed put ALL day! They didn't flop, or fall until I took them down around 10 PM. Though I had plotted most carefully, Heather was early, and I scrambled to finish a few last minute things. We were off after that!
Our journey to Springfield to the Old State Capitol was quite wet, but sped along by wonderful conversation. We had decided to go to a presentation about a soldier held at the Capitol during the Civil War, and a talk on the Battle of Shiloh, which had just seen it's 150th anniversary. After a few detours and "wait, did we need to turn there?" moments, we arrived at the parking garage. Jumping out, we grabbed our clothes from the backseat! Heather, donning her lovely day dress, sontag, and sortie cap, and me wearing my blue day skirt, new hat, and cloak! We were more than ready to head out into the wet Springfield weather. We had a brisk walk to the Old State capitol, and were greeted at the door with comments on how nice we both looked. The presentation was delightful! It was clear that the gentleman doing the presenting was very knowledgeable in this area, and very passionate. Before taking the tour of the Capitol building, we had our picture taken with the soldier.
Heather and I with the gentleman who did the presentation.
After the presentation, we heard about a free tour of the Capitol building. However this was before a gentleman asked Heather and I if he could take our picture. It's truly incredible how different people behave when one wears such clothing. We descended the beautiful staircase, and I felt so graceful and elegant. The very staircase made me feel as though I were a woman of the 19th century, perhaps visiting my husband and I was leaving to do some shopping downtown. :) I believe there were others snapping our photo as we descended the stairs. Being a woman who never draws much attention in real life, to have people watch, and show such an interest is quite exhilarating! The tour started in the State Library downstairs, forgive me if I don't accurately define each of the rooms, toward the end Heather and I were toward the back and didn't hear all the history of each room.
I'm sure it is quite obvious from the pictures, I LOVE old clocks! The ticking always soothes me.
Yes, this is merely a set of scales but there was something odd about them...Heather pointed it out to me. I must say, the ONLY person in the area was the guide as the room was cut off from visitors, and the windows were COMPLETELY covered. I had seen in other rooms that the original windows were covered with a protective plexi glass type window, so no breeze. What was strange is that these scales were moving on their own! They moved for quite some time on their own, without our guide touching them. Quite an odd experience, indeed!
This map had a very fascinating story attached to it. This is a map from the 1840s I believe, and was ordered by the capitol to hang in the capitol, but it never really did...You see, when the map arrived it was deemed outdated as some area's in the west had gone from territories to states. The map was kept in its original packing tube, and was found over 100 years later in a warehouse for unclaimed freight, by antique hunters for the old state capitol! How incredible is that?!
This is a lovely grandfather clock that was in the former supreme court room at the old state capitol.
This is the old Supreme Court at the Old State Capitol. The guide told us a fascinating story about the column in the middle, yes that column IS original! The original layout of the room had the justice tables against one wall, but they decided to move to make more room for spectators, and another justice, I believe. They were quite unhappy with that large column in their way, so they had it removed one evening. Little did the justices know, that column was a support beam for the Supreme Court (thank you, Rose, for correcting my previous error. :) ) directly above! The next morning the representatives demanded the column be replaced as the floor would collapse, and it was put back in place immediately. How funny!
This is a detail shot of the grandfather clock in the supreme court room. Isn't the hunting scene just wonderful?
Do not tell anyone, but I am obsessed with old clocks. ;) Isn't this just beautiful?
Our wonderful guide, he was incredibly knowledgeable, and incredibly passionate about his work.
Our guide informed us that little pigeon hole boxes like the one to the right, were used to store letters at the capitol. They were folded in thirds, and when the holders filled, the papers were removed and tied, like the one to the left. What is most fascinating is that the one on the left is tied with "red tape". You see, regular ties would cut into the papers and cause trouble, so a lovely brick red colored "tape" was made from cotton that wouldn't rip into the papers. Whenever someone needed into the papers, they would, "cut through the red tape" which is EXACTLY where we get the phrase "red tape". Who knew?
Heather and I were both very fascinated by the lovely punched lantern resting on this desk. :)
Heather pointed this out, it is an old barometer, and thermometer.
This is a painting of George Washington and their small family. Try as I might, I couldn't get a picture that wasn't flashy or hard to see. Some may not know that though George and Martha had no children of their own, Martha had two surviving children from a previous marriage. Her daughter died of a seizure at sixteen, and I am not sure what happened to her son.
This is without flash, the lighting was simply against me!
A portrait of Lafayette. He was a Frenchman who aided in the Revolutionary War. If I am remembering correctly, he was the gentleman who took a rag tag group of farmers, and turned them into a proper militia. I shudder to think of where we would be today without this incredible man.
This was incredible! This was Lincoln's office headquarters when he ran for President! From a picture of the original room, the Old State Capitol worked to return the room to its original state. Through scouring records and order forms from the time, they found the company that made the original carpet! Not only did they find them, but the company was STILL in business! They made an EXACT replica of the carpet, and offered the three original colors, a representative of the Old State Capitol chose blue for the carpet.
I chose this picture because of what I saw near the desk. After remembering what happened with the scales, and seeing this, I was a bit shocked! If you look at the left side of the desk you can see a purple ball of light, how strange!
This flag had an incredibly interesting history. If I remember correctly, this flag was made for a group of VERY young soldiers, likely no older than 18, who left from Sangamon County. It is just incredible that this piece of Illinois history has survived so many years! For more information (thank you, Rose!) please visit, http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1639219099/Civil-War-battlefield-flag-goes-on-display-at-Old-Capitol
Heather and I on the steps inside The Old State Capitol. I have this strange Queen Victoria look going on, haha!
After the Old State Capitol, we ventured out again into weather that had cleared nicely. We had a brief walk back to the parking garage in the lovely spring weather, and once there we stripped down again. We were back in our traveling clothes, and ready to hit the road! Unfortunately, there was a MASSIVE traffic jam leaving the parking garage, that seemed to last forever! After a brief stop for drinks, we were on the road again. We passed the time chatting, looking at scenery, and just enjoying each others company. Once Galesburg came along, we stopped for Heather to get a bite to eat, when I'm anxious I am a food camel! I don't need much, hehe! I couldn't wait! I knew that in the same town was a wonderful friend I hadn't seen in nearly two years! I fidgeted in the car, waiting to get to the Knights of Columbus hall. Of course, when we arrived we barreled out and dressed once again. I couldn't WAIT to see my dear friend, especially since she had changed the waist in my ballgown, and made my bertha, the dress had been hers but being a wonderful person she offered it to me earlier this winter.
I can remember walking it, looking at the nice decor, a small wagon with supplies scattered about. We then entered the dance hall and waited to buy tickets, I spotted my lovely friend Sarah first, but she was eating, and as I hadn't bought my ticket I hesitated to approach. The gentleman came along, took our money, and then, Sarah caught me! She spotted me, climbed from her chair and began to run across the dance floor! She squealed my name and ran to me, and I squealed hers and ran to her! We must have been a sight! Everyone was eating, the hall was dead silent, and here are two women screaming each others names and running to one another! I left Heather in the dust, and slammed into a wonderful hug with one of my best friends! We laughed, and nearly fell over after impact! In time, my manners returned and I introduced my two friends, though we were still giggly!
Upon arriving at the table, we were introduced to two new people, the lovely Becky Wahls, and her fabulous gentlemanly husband Blake. Our conversation that evening was varied, and hilarious! I had gotten Sarah laughing with adult conversation between Blake and myself, and everytime I laughed, new peals of laughter spilled from Sarah. Eventually, between laughter and tears she jokingly said, "stop!". It was simply delightful! I still feel though, that even if I had a week of uninterrupted time with her, we would STILL not be caught up! Time with friends ALWAYS flies far too fast!
My lovely friend, Sarah from Romantic History preparing to dance with her husband.
I could not get enough photos of my dear friend. We had NO pictures together until that night!
Sarah, looking lovely!
David, her husband looking dashing. I have to say probably one of the best couples, that and Sarah with little Judah, hehe.
The beautiful Becky Wahls, I love candid shots. Here she was playing with Judah, but he had dashed from the scene.
Judah and Becky. :)
Sarah swishing around on the dance floor.
Muhahaha! I love this candid shot! Sarah thinks it terribly farby, but I think she looks awesome! Even with a digital camera, she still looks like a lady of the time!
The dance. Our FANTASTIC dance mistress for the evening was Mrs. Masicale, accompanied by her very talented husband! After going to the Grierson Dance in February, I have to say this small, warm, well put together dance is my FAVORITE! Everyone was so sweet, so warm, and EVERY dance was called! In Jacksonville, a handful of dances were called. Not only was every dance called, but Elaine but GREAT thought into her presentation, taught the beginners, laughed with our mistakes, and had amazing historical backgrounds for each dance. I have only ever known her from online, so she was THE first person I have met from online! I even got a HUGE hug!
The beautiful Becky, she looked so elegant!
My beautiful friend, Sarah and I! We were determined to get pictures together. :)
My totally amazing, reenacting, driving, knitting, best friend, Heather and I!
Before leaving Galesburg at the end of the night, and peeling off everything in the parking lot while it rained horribly, we got gas. That was a hoot! I wore black shorts, my knee high striped socks, reenacting shoes, and tank top under my dresses, they were my traveling clothes. We went into the gas station for goodies, and the looks I got were a crack up! After scurrying back into the car with drinks, and food for each of us, we were off on our way home! We talked, and listened to Heather's book on CD about ebola, we also spoke about how every disease is my fault because, "someone touched me in my no no place!". We cracked up! Then the GPS led us to an interesting place...A one lane country road, with no signs, and no lights...We decided since inbred cannibals would probably be the fate we'd meet if we went down that road, we decided against it. We then decided the deer, that were out in droves, were working for the cannibals and the GPS trying to get us down that road! We told the GPS no, we will not go down the dark creepy road where the cannibals are! We made it safely back to Jacksonville, and non too soon! I stumbled through the front door, giggly and exhausted! I just wish every day could be as amazing as that day was! Good people, good dancing, good fun, it made me VERY happy!
Love,
Christina
