Join Mark Gochnour, a longtime historical reenactor, on April 18th at 7:00 p.m., for a multi-faceted look at pioneer living. Come and see Mark’s 18th Century handsewn clothing, furs, traps and other gear along with his stories and information about life on the frontier. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a taste of history.
Our colonial ancestors learned, evolved and adapted. It was not an idyllic life and there are many myths and sad stories along the way. These pioneers were intrepid and kept exploring even with dangers that we may have forgotten.
Location: Speer Hall at Poolesville Presbyterian Church, 17800 Elgin Rd. (109)
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Mark was a children’s librarian and then “Senior Librarian” managing the Poolesville Library from 1991 to 2010. have done historical reenacting for nearly 50 years. He is a Bethesda-Chevy Chase Izaak Walton League of America member right down the road in Poolesville. He worked at Homestead Farm as a school group tour guide in the fall for almost 20 years. He hunts with flintlock firearms, in 18th Century clothing. He has written two articles about muzzleloading and hunting for two magazines. He has been written about in newspapers.
He researched and printed a hymnbook for reenactors and is a lay preacher at one local event in the spring.
He hand sews some of his clothes and makes some of his other gear.
Mark speaks about life on the frontier for groups – scouts, homeschooling groups, and elementary school classes. He tells stories, shares information He can bring and discuss furs, traps, and other gear. He can demonstrate how to start a fire with flint and steel, i.e. without matches. Usually, his programs last about 45 minutes before the questions.
Mark encourages people to record their elderly family members talking about life when they were little. Once these people have passed, their life stories, what they have experienced and seen and learned about their elderly family members who were around when they were younger is lost unless someone has captured it.