Living history interpreter Al Hobbs visiting with students about black powder technology during the Museum's Fall Encampment
Gerald Franklin demonstrates the art of blacksmithing at the Museum's Red River Trading Post, Fall Encampment.
Students visit Mr. Len McQue about items that were traded at Coffee's Station in 1830s and 40s.
Mr. Len McQue dressed as an 1840s clerk, shows students the furs, beads, blankets and other items that were traded during the Red River Trading Post Fall Encampment Program.
"...and what types of furs do you think were traded here in the 1830s and 40s?"
"What do you suppose was the most valuable fur?"
Students watch Living History Interpreter Tim Poteete slice samples of buffalo tongue - a delicacy during the trading post era (circa 1830s-40s).
"Which animals were hunted for their furs? Which animals had to be trapped?"
"The Red River Trading Post was built from a written description of an actual fur trade “station” which operated along Red River, c1840. Dealing primarily with the Comanches and Kiowas, customers also included Caddos, Wichitas, Wacos, Kiechias, and Anadarkos, among others."
Here is a "Smith" with his hammer and anvil. Since iron and steel are very hard to change the shape of when they are cold, the smith must first heat the metal in a fire that is held in a fire pot, or forge.
The Smith's Tools: Blacksmiths need a variety of tools to do their work. The most obvious are the hammer and anvil. These are used to move (hit or smite) the metal to the correct shape. Can you find the bucket of coal? Where is the forge? What is the shop that a blacksmith works in called?
The fire is held in a fire pot or forge. This fire is usually made from coal, which is dug from a coal mine. Coal burns very hot when air is blown through it and heats the metal quickly.
Hope type saddle for trade at Coffee's Station.
Test ride a new saddle today!
Al Hobbs answers questions about black powder technology and the fur trading era.
Al Hobbs, a living history interpreter, at the Red River Trading Post Fall Encampment.
Frank Koontz demonstrates fire starting with flint and steel.
Tonda Harrup and Patsy Harper prepare one of the block houses for a good nights sleep.
Early morning sunrise at the Red River Trading Post, shines through the poles of Tonda Harrup's tipi.
Patsy Harper helps Tonda with the set up.
In Native American culture, constructing the tipi was a woman's job.
At last the program begins for Patsy Harper. Patsy has a lot to share with students. You can listen to an interview with Patsy about "Women in the Fur Trade" at www.gscoas.org
Patsy talks with students from Grandfield Oklahoma.
"Do you recognize this little critter?"
Students take a closer look at a beaver pelt.
Students pass around animal hides and furs that were traded for things like glass beads, metal and iron products, tinware, wool blankets, and such.
Patsy Harper talks with students about women in the fur trade.
Alton Cook sets up a flint knapping demonstration near the tipi.
The tipi is almost ready.
Alton Cook shows students how stone arrow points (or arrowheads) were made. He begins with a core of flint and an antler. What other tools or weapons did Native Americans make from stone? What kind of stone works best?
Cuz demonstrates dutch oven cooking methods and students are invited to taste the results.
One at at time please.
Students are ready to see inside the Trading Post's "shopping center" with Len McQue.
Visitors are welcomed inside the tipi.
A tipi (also teepee, tepee) is a conical tent originally made of animal skins or birch bark and popularized by the Native Americans of the Great Plains. Tipis are stereotypically associated with Native Americans in general, but Native Americans from places other than the Great Plains used different types of dwellings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teepee
The tipi was durable, provided warmth and comfort in winter, was dry during heavy rains, and was cool in the heat of summer. Tipis could be disassembled and packed away quickly when a tribe decided to move, and could be reconstructed quickly when the tribe settled in a new area. This portability was important to those Plains Indians who had a nomadic lifestyle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teepee
Chila Chavez shares her Mexican culture with visitors during the Fall Encampment.
Traditional Mexican foods, dress, and music are a part of Senora Chavez's presentation.
