January 2013 Message from the Guildmaster

Happy New Year!

As I sit and write, I glance outside our upstairs window at the mountainside before me. Winter brings a special beauty to the mountains of Virginia. Often noted for their blue color, this time of year imparts a purplish cast that I cannot help but think of as somehow more striking than usual. The early settlers named these mountains for their color, and I suppose their first glance may have occurred in a warmer season. With the leaves gone, the stark ridges, valleys, and features stand out in detail not seen in the spring and summer.

Years back, my grandfather often commented that I would see lights at night all over our mountainside. He had grown up here in the early 1900’s and witnessed many changes in our area through his long life. He saw the invention and proliferation of the automobile, among many other “modern miracles.”  A competent and proud driver, he piloted the first school bus in Amherst County in the 1920’s, ferrying students of all ages in a  green  Model T Ford truck with wooden seats facing out on each side of its body, and side curtains to keep out inclement weather. Often the bus would stick in the mud, and he would enlist the help of his young male passengers to help free it from the mire on our rutted back country roads.  Tow trucks were just not available in those times.

He clearly foresaw the spread of our population and its encroachment into the less settled and developed areas of our countryside. Last week, to celebrate the new year, a couple of good friends drove with us to the top of our mountain at night. At 2900 feet of elevation, the mountain top offers a view of Lynchburg and surrounding areas that few folks witness. I had not been there for a few years at night, and was stunned by the number of lights and corresponding sprawl that we witnessed. As I stood and thought about what I was seeing, I could not help but think back to earlier times that I have witnessed in our county.

A suppose I really miss the simpler times of my youth. Going to a restaurant, and having a meal “out” was a special occasion that happened only several times a year. Talking on the phone was not necessarily an everyday occurrence, nor was driving. Other than my father going to work every day, it was not uncommon to pass several days before the need to drive somewhere occurred.  My mother cooked our meals at home. McDonalds did not make its presence known in our area until later in the 1970’s. TV was a privilege that came a couple of times a week, not every waking moment. At that time, our TV got one channel, far away in Richmond.  Home computers, smart phones and tablets were not even imaginable to most of our population.

As our ancestors explored and settled our vast country, I wonder how many of them could imagine the spread and growth of our population and its corresponding impact on our natural resources? I expect that some were able to see the inevitable expansion of  cities since these areas attracted immigrants  with their comparative wealth and accessible resources. Thomas Jefferson was noted for his visions regarding our country’s growth. Jefferson believed that our country would eventually mature and grow as a largely agrarian society.  He did not foresee the growth of urban areas where the inhabitants were completely reliant on outside resources for their daily existence.

All of this has led to an unimaginable level of material consumption for much of our population. Our citizens rely on the products of others, not on their ability to care for themselves. For the coming year, as responsible presenters of past times, we should  reflect on our own lives and the impact we have on our  land.  We only get one world to live in, and we can help educate others about responsible use of it. My grandfather was right; there are now a large number of house lights on the mountainside each night after dark. I think our elders deserve a lot more credit than they receive.

Thank you,
Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster

December 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

A Merry December to you all:

I say this from a traditional view, having recently spent some time reading Harnett T. Kane’s wonderful book, The Southern Christmas Book, first published in 1958. Kane traces the origins and practices of our earliest settlers from the 1600’s onward in areas ranging from Virginia to Maryland, New Orleans and  Florida, and everywhere in between. After reading this book, pinning down a date for “Christmas” becomes as likely as shooting a flying duck with a blindfold on. If you have not read this book  I highly recommend that you search it out on one of the book-locating services.

From the earliest days of the colonies in Virginia, Christmas was vigorously celebrated by almost all of our ancestors. Early Virginians embraced the Christmas “spirit” with a fervor that was hardly to be found in other areas. In addition to the consumption of various richly prepared meats, fried oysters, desserts, and various alcoholic beverages, the custom of eggnog was a holiday tradition not to be missed, and much enjoyed as revelers made their way to various households on their annual visits. Eggnog was traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and several varieties of spirits and was deemed “not quite the thing for maiden cousins….”

In addition to food and merriment,  Virginia is also known for a rather quaint Christmas tradition that seems to have faded from popularity in more recent years. It is noted that Virginians turned to firearms to signal the season in a most boisterous fashion. To quote Mr. Kane, “a Virginia guest often brought his musket with him when he went to make a call, and joined his host  in shooting while the women put their hands over their ears and the children jumped up and down in delight. When a neighbor caught the echo, he took his own firing piece and answered, and his neighbors did the same.” This tradition apparently continued in more rural areas until well into the 20th. Century, and seems to have survived even today. It seems that some authorities had to warn their constituents not to use too much gunpowder in their celebrations.

Holiday toasts were of course quite common, and expected. Many toasts were made while facing the fire with various parts of the body,…. front, back, and each side, to prolong the toast, the drink and the warmth. Perhaps in the best spirit of this practice is the famous toast made by our first president, George Washington, who simply toasted, “All our friends.”

In other areas, Christmas was marked in varying celebrations that echoed the traditions of the country from which its inhabitants had immigrated. In Maryland, a meal of sauerkraut and turkey was the common denominator. In some areas, the Germanic St. Nickolaus arrives with his frightful helper in early December, while in Louisiana Christmas arrives in February or March.  Many of these celebrations are noted for large  parades, contests, dancing and visiting.

One theme that shows up repeatedly in early Christmas celebrations is that  gift giving was not a general practice. Children sometimes received a small item, a piece of special fruit or other token. Adults did not generally exchange gifts in early days, but took much pleasure in fellowship with their family and friends, meals, holiday activities, and traditional customs. In today’s world it is hard to imagine a time such as this. I wish more of our population would embrace the holiday as it was once celebrated.

In this season of tradition and heritage, I hope that all of you will enjoy some celebration of the traditions that our ancestors held so dearly. Hopefully, some of the values of friendship, community, and simplicity may outweigh the extravagant material consumption that seems to mark this time of year for many of our citizens. I know that you will at least breathe a sigh of relief that you are reveling in the wonderful spirit of our past., and not taking out loans to pay off enormous purchases!

May you all have the best for the season and the coming year. Thank you.

All our friends!

Jeff Bibb, Guildmaster

November 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Some thoughts on November 2012:

Is it just me, or are most of you completely worn out with the mindless hullabaloo surrounding this election?  It seems that one cannot go more than an hour without the phone ringing and demanding our attention as to who does what better, and who is more honest, and who has the capability to lead our country in the right direction for the next four years. Whether these messages are delivered by a “live” person or an automated system, I am jaded by the whole thing at this point, ready to get over it and go on. May the best man win..… and I really don’t want to hear too much more about it.

Of course in past times, I suppose the candidates would have boarded trains (latter 1800’s) or ridden in carriages or on horses, (1700’s / early 1800’s)  and delivered their messages to the populace as best they could before retiring to their respective homes to hear the results. I guess this is where the old term of “stump speeches” comes from. This might have taken a while in previous times, but then who was in  a real hurry?  Whatever newspapers existed at the time would have dutifully reported the opinions and promises of the politicians, folks would discuss these issues, and decide their positions and vote. Of course the amount of money spent on these campaigns would pale in comparison to the endless millions of today’s times.

These days, everyone is in a hurry, and seem to accomplish little. Our electronic age has delivered some definite benefits in terms of communication capabilities and ability to transmit information to others in a speedy fashion. But, have the results truly been beneficial? If you wonder as I do, look at the reaction times in the modern stock market. The DOW can fall hundreds of points in minutes because some high-tech company had a hiccup the previous day. One wonders what type of “productivity”  these companies have anyway? What does one do all day besides sitting in front of a computer, receiving and transmitting information. Whatever happened to real jobs of the past, where accomplishments could actually be seen at the end of the day, not buried in some electronic never-never land that really doesn’t exist?

As our Thanksgiving season approaches, I am thankful to be involved with a group of people who value much more than the frustrating turmoil our existence seems to have become. The historical community is largely made up of folks who can slow down, and appreciate the value of a time that will never exist again. We can take the time to appreciate others as we hope they will appreciate the time we spend with them. I cannot help but think this is a far better approach to life than thumbing out a text message while eating dinner with a spouse, friend, or other associate.

Six years ago, a small dog wandered on our farm in early November. I came home to find my wife, Jan, raking leaves while he sat patiently, along with our Labrador retriever, Zora Neale. He wanted nothing more than our love and attention. Several days later, it became apparent that he was the victim of  “abuse”  and really needed a home. We negotiated his release from his former residence, and Sparky has been with us ever since. Caring for others, whether animal or human, means more than anything our modern world can supply.  I think that perhaps this is more of the message our original Thanksgiving celebrations imply. I wish you the best this season.

On a different note, this coming weekend, our Executive Committee will gather for its annual fall meeting. We have a number of topics to discuss, and our goal is to help the HCH grow and mature as best it can in the coming years. Our organization was founded to promote traditional horn work, and to educate others regarding its historical importance. Your input and participation in the guild is vital to its success. I encourage all of you to consider volunteering in the future to help us grow and achieve the goals of our unique and valuable organization. Of course, many thanks go out to those who have worked hard in the past and present to make us what we are today. Our thanks go out to all of you in this season of Thanksgiving.

All the best,

Jeff Bibb

October 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Greetings once again:

In Virginia, October is in the air. The leaves are starting to turn golden browns, and bright reds, while beginning to cover the yard and driveway. Acorns rain down like a bad hail storm. If the old stories about the amount of acorns relating to a severe winter are true, we are in for a doozy.

The chestnut crop has almost ended for the year. We are blessed (or cursed, depending our your perspective) with three large trees that produce an inordinate amount of wonderfully flavored nuts. Jan roasts then almost daily and barters (or gives) them to our friends in exchange for other wonderful treats that they produced in their gardens and yards.

This year we purchased tomato plants from a Mennonite nursery in Stuart’s Draft, Virginia. Once does not usually expect all of the plants to survive, but they did, and we were overwhelmed with large quantities of beautiful produce all summer long. Once again, friends traded various peppers, vegetables, and other goods for our bountiful supply of tomatoes. Many of their plants did not mature, and they needed fresh tomatoes for the table. No money was ever exchanged, and none was expected from either party.

All of this has been great fun. Our friends got what they needed, and so did we. One has only to think of  several hundred years ago when this was an everyday occurrence. One person might have a surplus of tobacco, while the local blacksmith was able to make something needed for the farm. A barter was struck, and everyone was happy.  I believe this system is as old as mankind, and it has survived for many centuries, largely unchanged.

With our love of traditions and history, this system fits into our everyday lives very well. I wonder if many of you practice this too? The impact on our world lessens as folks work together to share and help each other. Our reliance on the capitalistic system  we have created lessens, and our need for the almighty dollar decreases as well.  In addition, we consume (buy) less hard goods that end up littering our world when they are discarded. Regardless of the litany of economic opinions and forecasts that preach we must “spend” more to benefit the economy, I think we would all be better off reducing our consumption, rather than increasing it.

Our ancestors may have not enjoyed the luxuries that we take for granted these days, but I think many of them lived fulfilling lives. They worked hard, they valued their friends and families, and they worked to treat their peers fairly. I have no doubt that many lasting friendships were struck from a barter or a service that was traded well. It is something to think about in our modern times as we rush through our lives driving from one big box store to the next.

As usual, comments, criticisms, suggestions, or other observations are always welcome. I hope you have a glorious fall season.

All the best,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster

September 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Greetings:

With the end of summer in sight, many of us are looking forward to the cooler temperatures and glorious colors that mark our fall season. I know I am, and with it, the opportunity to get outside more and explore the woods and mountains. Many of our ancestors would be anticipating this change with much hard work as they finished putting up stores for the coming winter and its meager times. Perhaps they were checking their shooting supplies in anticipation of hunts that would provide meat for the cold months ahead. A new bag or powder horn might have been in order, and the task of making it would soon be in hand.

As a historical horn working organization, we all take pride in the work we produce, ever striving to make a more “perfect” piece than the last, and looking to the historical work we emulate as inspiration. But, how traditional is our work? I do not mean this in any mean-spirited sense, but rather as a close examination of our methods. As 21st. Century residents, we are empowered with more tools and gadgets to accomplish our means than any time in history. We happily employ our electric lathes, deep fryers, drills, sanders, engravers, brightly lit magnifiers and other implements as we work, all the while wondering how we can use them to make the next horn even better.  There is certainly nothing wrong with this since it saves us an enormous amount of time and effort, but are we missing the spirit of the whole enterprise somehow with their use?

I have been thinking about this a lot recently as my wife, Jan, and I struggle with ways make everything in our lives less complicated, possess less of a “consumer” mentality, and become more responsible people to the earth on which we live. Perhaps we should contemplate some of this in our own horn work, while embracing the true art of the past that we so cherish.  I strongly we believe we can learn from the past in this way, and help others learn our art as well.

Therefore, I am putting out an invitation and a challenge to everyone in our guild, long before our annual meeting next March. The gist of it that each of us should make a horn using only the resources that would have been available to our ancestors 200 or more years ago. Do not allow ANY exceptions to this rule with your work. It is an honor system, and you are on your own.  What this all means is that you will have to make a presentable, working powder horn or useful horn object with the goal of exhibiting, and possibly having it judged at our next meeting! I plan to have a special table or two available to display our work, and there may be a very special judge in attendance to see just how well we all do. If this occurs it will be a separate judging from our regular competition, which will take place as usual. Sounds like fun to me, and I hope you agree and will contribute your talents to this special exhibit.

The simple rules are as follows:

1) There will be three classifications to this work…. Plain powder horn, decorated powder horn, and horn objects.

2) Materials… may be any raw horn, either polished and cleaned, or green raw, as available. Many folks will not have access to raw horns, so an exception of sorts must be made here. Pins, nails, staples, etc. must all be fabricated from raw stock. No store-bought nails, pins, drawer pulls or commercial additions are allowed.

3) NO power tools of any kind may be employed in the construction of the horn or horn object. Base plugs and /or tips must be shaped by hand, and / or turned on an appropriate period lathe without electricity or other modern power. Only hand-twist drills,  bow drills, bit and brace, or burning may be used for drilling. Carving and engraving must be accomplished only with items that were available in historic times. For engraved – scrimshawed horns, no circular lights or other magnifying devices may be used, only natural or regular indoor light. (candles, lanterns, or firelight are preferred).

4) Horns may be shaped by any traditional methods such as heating with water or oil,  hot air – fires, and worked only with  tools available in the period. Files, draw knives, grails, pocket knives, glass pieces or other scrapers, etc. are perfectly acceptable. Sanding / smoothing may be accomplished by scraping, sanding with pumice stone, etc., ie. any method that was available in the 18th. century.

5) If used, colors and finishes are restricted to those only available in the time. RIT dye, modern leather dyes, or other modern coloring is not allowed. Aqua Fortis, berry dyes, tobacco stains, onion stains, oil paints, natural dyes, etc. or other documented historical coloration is permitted.

So there you have it. One of my primary goals as your Guildmaster is to encourage education among the public as well as among ourselves. I believe that this project will teach many of us a thing or two about what making a horn was really like in our past. If you already employ all of the methods I have described in your work, you are producing a product with true historical significance.  For the rest of us, it may be an exercise in humility, but more an opportunity to connect ourselves with the true art of the past that we call horns.

Good luck! I look forward to seeing all of you, and your projects in March. As usual, observations, suggestions criticisms or other comments are always welcome.

All the best,
Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster

August 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Hello to all:

Has it been two weeks since Dixon’s gun-making fair already? How time flies, and the annual CLA show is just around the corner next weekend (08/18 – 08/19) in Lexington, Kentucky. I don’t know about you, but for many of our members, these two shows mark a very busy time in our lives each year. I remember a couple of years ago at Dixon’s when we were all packing up our tables on Sunday afternoon, and someone called out, “just think, we get to do it all again in three weeks!”

On the thirtieth anniversary of Dixon’s this year, we once again witnessed a spectacular assemblage of talent and sharing that, for me, is a large part of what makes out community so special.  Beautiful examples of any type of horn work, accoutrement, or gun could be witnessed and examined throughout the show. For those wanting to learn more about the craft, multiple workshops and presentations were scheduled each hour in several locations. Three days may seem long for a show, but for many, I am not sure it was long enough to see and do everything they wanted to.

The HCH table was a hub of activity with our raffle coming to a finale on Sunday afternoon. Congratulations to Walt Morgis, who held the winning ticket and was present at the show. The guild gained over ten new members, and I would like to personally thank everyone who worked hard at the table over the weekend to help out.  Special thanks goes out to Dick Toone, who assembled and manned our spring pole lathe during the show. Every time I went by, folks were gathered around to look at the lathe, and ask questions about its operation.

Our annual dinner and reception was held once again on Friday evening at Jacobsburg. With a threat of storms in the air, we all enjoyed a barbecue dinner, and desserts along with the fellowship of our company. A surprise raffle was held for the special prize of a very limited giclee print by artist, Kevin McDonald.  This beautiful work depicted a hunt on the long march to Quebec during the revolution. The lucky winner was Rich Hujsa and the funds raised were donated to the Jacobsburg museum to help with the renovation of the new craft workshops. As the last tables and chairs were being put away, the heavens opened with a downpour.

For many, Dixon’s would not be complete without the gun making and accoutrement competitions. Once again, I would like to congratulate the many HCH members who entered work, and won ribbons for their efforts! The guild was well represented in the competition and the winner‘s circle, and further details will be posted on our site as well as in the next issue of the Horn Book.

After all this excitement, it was time to pack up on Sunday afternoon and start the drive home. A long weekend for sure, but one not to be missed if you are a guild member, and can come to Kempton, Pennsylvania for this one special weekend of the year. Hope to see you there next time!

All the best,
Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster

July 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Happy Fourth of July!

As I write this, I wonder how many of our modern citizens really understand the impact of the events that would result from the writing and signing of our Declaration of Independence long, long ago. Five of our founding fathers worked to arrive at a document that expressed their desires and wishes for our new country. Jefferson’s final draft was, and is, certainly impressive in its own right, and still makes many of us shiver when we hear it read on our most important national holiday. The years of war, suffering, and struggle that followed  patterned the freedom and prosperity that we enjoy today.

Today I will be working as an interpreter at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest (www.poplarforest.org). This impressive structure was conceived by Jefferson as a second home, and a place where he could retreat from the daily worries and constant visitors at Monticello. He often came to Forest, Virginia for months at a time, and welcomed the opportunity to read, write letters, farm, and enjoy the bucolic existence of his second home.

For the July Fourth celebration, Jefferson’s home grounds are populated with a number of living historians. The Continental Army enlists eager young recruits to fight in the coming battles. Recruits as young as five or six are marched around the grounds in formation, trying their best to learn the awkward commands and obey their sergeants.  Potters throw beautiful pieces of work, a young woman beats flax into submission until she can produce fine linen thread, an 18th century physician promises healing an ailment with a proper bleeding. These people, and many more, open a window into the past that many visitors cannot imagine or truly comprehend. I hope that you will take time today to reflect on our heritage, the importance of our interests and the impact that they can have on those with whom we share. We must work to not lose the past that we cherish.

Later this month, one of the grand celebrations of our interests will occur in Kempton, Pennsylvania. Yes, it is time for Dixon’s Muzzle Loading Fair once again! As detailed in other areas of our site, many guild members will once again be working at this event to make it a monumental affair for all involved. In addition to the many fine tables of our artisans’ work, there will be a number of presentations / workshops taught by guild members. The HCH table will be in full force once again. This year the theme of the HCH table is blowing horns. If you would like to display a blowing horn, please bring it to the table on Friday or Saturday for all to see.

Volunteers are always needed for the HCH table. If you can spare an hour or two for us over the weekend, please contact Dick Toone to set up a time. We need your help to talk about the HCH, sell raffle tickets, sell Hartley books, and just be yourself, greeting attendees, and talking about the guild. As usual, no pay is involved, but the return is priceless.

Friday night, we will be hosting the annual Summer Reception at the Jacobsburg Historical Museum. This year promises to be quite tasty with barbeque chicken, and all the fixing’s. Reservation forms for the dinner are available on this website. We would appreciate a timely response since we have to make adequate preparations for this wonderful event. If you have not been to Jacobsburg, and the Henry gun museum, this is a “must see” opportunity.

Thanks to everyone who make this organization what it is. I cannot express how much I appreciate the efforts of everyone who volunteers to work for the guild.  On this Fourth of July, I am thankful for many things, but I am especially thankful for the friends and associates I have met through this group.

May you all have a wonderful holiday and summer season.

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster
The Honourable Company of Horners

June 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Hello to all:

With summer in full swing in most of the country, now is the time to get out and participate in historical activities. Here in Virginia, the city of Charlottesville just celebrated part of its 250th year festival with an 18th century encampment and  re-enactment of Tarleton’s raid in 1781.  While walking around the downtown mall Saturday evening, many casual strollers were surprised by a rather “properly mounted” Colonel Banastre Tarleton riding through the throngs. Most folks were  taken unawares since thousands had arrived in Charlottesville for an evening of fine acoustic music and entertainment by Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers. The sight of a mounted 18th. Century figure riding through downtown, along with many other 18th. Century – clad participants, certainly caused a stir.

As a living history participant, I wonder how many of us really understand how thrilled most folks are to experience something like this. I have been thanked on numerous occasions for “keeping all of this alive” while working at various events here in the Lynchburg area.  I don’t really think much about it, as I am sure most of us don’t, while participating in our various activities. 18th Century attire is just another day for most of us. It is usually just as comfortable and natural as most any other clothing, so we do not really think much about the impact it imparts to those who view our pursuits.

The same goes for our roles. We are horners, leather workers, blacksmiths, weavers, soldiers, officers, whatever our trade or persona.  To others, we are a link to a time that few modern citizens can imagine. iPads, cell phones with cameras, video games, microwaves, modern automobiles, and other contrivances have assured our fellow inhabitants that there is nothing else worthwhile in the world.  As a representative of a time long past, you can do a lot  to help folks understand their heritage and history. When working an event, take a few extra moments, if you can, to talk to those who seem particularly interested. You may be surprised at the response. Our valuable history may gain another strong supporter. The HCH may gain another member!

In our day and time when most school systems do not even teach 18th century history to any extent, museums and historical organizations may become the only real links to the past we value. Think about it…. do you want to see our heritage lost to the winds. I don’t, and I hope you don’t either.

As always, your thoughts, comments, and other observations are always welcome.

All the best,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster,
The Honourable Company of Horners

May 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Hello to All:

With the coming of the summer months, we are all now deeply involved with our various gatherings and events. Fort Frederick has just ended, and although I was not able to attend this year, I have heard that it was a grand event. The Tennessee / Kentucky Longrifle show was held several weeks back in Norris, Tennessee. This show was an incredible showcase for anyone interested in  Southern mountain rifle culture, particularly specimens of the “iron-mounted” variety. Several HCH members were in attendance and showcasing their wares.

The West Coast Horn Fair was held last weekend at Morro Bay, California. From the reports I have seen, it seems to have attracted a very good attendance. The photos of the work displayed there looked great! Even though it is often difficult for our members to sometimes travel between the coasts, it is good to see groups of HCH members holding workshops and get-togethers in other areas.

Our own little “Southern” workshop has been a real inspiration for those who have been able to attend. I know that I have learned much from participating the past two years, and eagerly look forward to next year.

With everything in full swing for the season, I want to take this opportunity to remind some of our members that without your annual dues payment, the HCH (and other valuable historical organizations) run the risk of slowly slipping into oblivion.  This year marks the first time in recent memory that we are seeing a large number of members failing to remit their annual dues to our treasurer.

We are not a large organization, but we have been fortunate to experience a large amount of growth over the past several years.  With this growth comes higher operating costs as the services provided to our members have  dramatically expanded. Take a look at our wonderful website, the quality of our publication, “The Horn Book”, The Hartley Book, free entrance to our annual meeting, and the many learning opportunities we have tried to incorporate at the meetings. All of this, and more, takes dedicated time and effort from our Executive Committee, our Committee Chairmen, and all of the folks who step up to volunteer their help.

We have more plans for the future to make our organization even better than it is today, but without the financial support of our membership, this may change. If you value the guild, and what it means to you, please take the time to continue your membership by sending a check to our treasurer, Art DeCamp.

As usual, the door is always open. Write, call, email, or shout loudly to let us know your thoughts about the guild.

Thank you,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster, HCH

April 2012 Message from the Guildmaster

Greetings to all:

We are shocked and very saddened to learn about the  sudden passing of our good friend, and guild secretary, Phil Cravener. I know that Phil touched many of our lives with his constant smile, his un-ending warmth and humor, and his immense talent as an artisan. Our sympathies extend to all of his family and friends. He will be missed at our gatherings.

With an early spring well upon us, it is once again time to contemplate our annual treks, rendezvous, re-enactments, shows and shoots. Last weekend, I saw several guild members at the Southern Long Rifle Show in Williamsburg, Virginia. While not a large show, many collectors, and fans of early American crafts and art were in attendance. Many outstanding  original (and modern) guns, horns and accoutrements were on display for viewing and for purchase.

In addition to his fine display table of banded, ringed, and screw tip horns, Tim Crosby brought along a portable workbench, a number of hand tools, and capably demonstrated the traditional horn maker’s craft for the entire show. His bench attracted a lot of attention from the attendees.

A large part of the mission of our guild is education. Each year I participate in two local historical events in the central Virginia area. At each, I make it a point to have as many representative pieces of early colonial life as possible on my table. I usually spend the better part of both events talking with folks (and their children) about early American life and the articles that were used in daily life. The level of interest is truly astounding. Since so little is currently taught in our schools about this topic, both children and adults are very interested in “how folks used to live”. They often express a desire to learn more and  explore making something of their own as a future project.

I would like to encourage ALL of our members to make an effort this year, and in the future, to make this type of education a goal for your own participation in the events you attend. Maybe you can demonstrate a horn working skill at a show or event. Perhaps you can demonstrate something for a local school. At your next long rifle show, ask if you can demonstrate at your table. It isn’t hard to do, and the results are usually fantastic. Keep a few HCH membership cards on hand and give them out to interested participants.

Every year at Dixon’s, part of a table-holder’s responsibility is to offer a demonstration of some type of historical craft or art. Chuck Dixon has incorporated this theme every year, and I think the results speak for themselves.  Education should be a goal for all of us. Without it, our art and craft will completely disappear at some point in the future.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you  with your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and feedback.

Y.M.O.S.,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster, HCH

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