SPOKANE HOUSE ENCAMPMENT
NOTES AND REMINDERS ON
CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT & CULTURE FOR 1810-25
When preparing your Encampment Application, and for other Friends of Spokane House living history events please keep in mind the following items that were and were not available of at Spokane House during this time period.
CLOTHING:
1. Do not wear commercial tanned (grain on) shiny-side-out buckskin.
Alternatives would be:
a. Turn the commercial tan garment inside out so the suede (flesh side) is out.
b. Sew a replacement garment from cloth of the fur trade i.e. wool, cotton or linen.
c. Leather clothing was of brain tanned hides.
2. Since there were no white women in the country yet, all women would portray Indian or Metis women. Women married to Euro and Metis men would generally wear Indian style cloth dresses or blouses and skirts. Women married Post Factors might wear a European style dress. Moccasins and knee-high leggings would be standard for women, even in European style dresses.
3. All items were hand sewn, since the sewing machine hadn't been invented. Machine sewed garments are acceptable, but work on replacing with hand sewn items.
EQUIPMENT:
1. All firearms must flintlock, as the caplock technology had not been invented yet.
2. There were no bone hairpipes in the trade, at this time. Leave these items home.
3. The most common point blankets traded in the Columbia Dept. in the early 1800's were white, blue, red and green, with a black bar on each end. Multistripe (referred to as candy stripe) were made for the trade starting in 1800, but were not commonly traded in the Columbia Dept. during the Spokane House time period.
4. Loom-beading of decoration strips was not done at this time period in the Columbia Dept.
5. There were no enamelware cooking/drinking containers. There were some glassware and stoneware items at Spokane House. If you bring any of these items make sure they are of the early 1800's. Do your research.
6. Whelen or Baker style tents were not of this fur trade time period.
CULTURAL:
1. There is no record of women trapping or being in fur trade management. The division of labor within the Indian and fur trade cultures did not make it possible for a woman to survive without male support.
A "single woman" was a temporary status caused by:
a. The husband having died, recently. Since cutting the hair short was a sign of mourning, this could be a scenario for some women participants.
b. The woman had been abandoned, recently, by her husband (Euro or Indian).
c. The woman is visiting her tribal relatives who happen to be at Spokane House.
For more complete information on this period at Spokane House, the combined publication, Spokane House, 1810-1814, People of the Fur Trade and Standards of Trade Columbia River 1824-1825 are recommended. It can be obtained from Dean Bakke (dsbakke@comcast.net <mailto:dsbakke@comcast.net>). Supplies are limited.
We will also be happy to consult with you on questions regarding your persona and camp participation.
Contacts:
For Women: Karie Riley (karieriley@comcast.net)
For Men: Mark Weadick (mark.weadick@verizon.net)