Latta Plantation Homeschool Medicinal Plants

We ventured up the road a ways to Latta Plantation.  The homeschool days they offer always seem to conflict with our schedule, but today it worked out.  We love Latta and their programs, so we knew the homeschool program should be worth the hour and a half drive.

Today's topic was medicinal remedies in the Carolina back-country.  We approach medicinal cures holistically in our family and this topic intrigued us.  Of course, with modern day science, we know what old remedies have merit and which ones don't.  Never less, it is always interesting to hear about the practices of old.

We started the tour in the Latta family home.  An older gentleman taught us about blood letting and leeches.  The kiddos weren't very fond of this treatment.  Although blood letting is no longer practiced today, leech therapy is still used.  We also learned about how people took worming medicines to rid themselves of internal parasites.  They kiddos thought that was amusing that people did this to themselves and not just their animals.

We then listened to a medicine show.  The medicine was typically alcohol and opium.  Of course, the ingredients were never listed on the bottles.  It was always advertised as a great healing potion.  It didn't really heal, it just relieved the pain.  Unfortunately, many people became addicted to the stuff and consumed more and more of it.  Many died from overdose of the magic cure.

We learned about different herbal tinctures, teas, and remedies.  The household garden was more than just vegetables on the plate at dinner time.  The foods that were grown had many medicinal properties and were used for that purpose when needed.  Other items were foraged in the wild and seeds were then planted to grow the plants in the garden area.

Back-country people had to be their own doctors.  Sometimes there may be only one doctor in the area and it could take weeks for them to come if needed.  If a wound was bleeding and wouldn't stop, they had to self cauterize it.  Fire was very important not only for heat and cooking, but for wound cauterization and sterilization.  Water borne illness was a top concern for the people.  Dysentery claimed many lives.  Boiling water could help prevent this, but the people did not know that.  Most made cheap alcohol from corn, sorghum, barley, etc. and drank it to keep from contracting dysentery.

Finally, we learned about the plowing process on the back-country farm.  Most people had a mule or horse to help with farm chores.  These animals were very valuable.  Farming was back breaking work and without a reliable mule or horse, it was nearly impossible to plant a garden.

We enjoyed our visit to the plantation and look forward to coming back.  We always learn something new.  We take a way an appreciation of what our ancestors went through in the 'good ol' days'.
 

Latta Plantation: Revolutionary War Reenactment

We ventured back to Latta Plantation for their Revolutionary War Reenactment.  We have enjoyed other festivals and reenactments at Latta and wanted to see this one.

It was not as densely packed as the WWII or Celtic events.  However, it was nicely represented with both British and Patriot reenactors and some Hessian soldiers.  All the reenactors are very well versed in the time period they represent. 

We strolled through a booth selling herbs and tinctures that would have been used in the 18th century.  Egee just had to have a Jacob's Ladder toy.  Little Man wanted a wooden toy tomahawk. 

We listened to a British soldier describe life in the British army.  The differences between a ranking officer versus the common soldier.  The small tent that housed five soldiers compared to the large tents with real furniture in the officer's tent. 

We learned that General Cornwallis ordered the burning of the 'train' to chase General Greene through North Carolina.  The officers did not appreciate the burning of their furniture, tents, wagons, etc. 

We discovered the difference between a light infantry man and heavy infantry man.  No, size was not it.  We found out that the musket could be loaded five to eight times a minute compared to the American Long Rifle loading time of one round every minute and a half to two minutes.  So, the British had an upper hand at fire power. 

The cannons were vital in the war and we learned about the different sizes of cannon balls.  We learned how they were lobbed at the opposing forces and then the cannons switched to buck and ball loads as the armies advanced to closer range.  Two hundred and fifty balls could be launched at the enemy in one of the buck and ball shots. 

Cannon balls weren't the only projectiles.  The mortar launched bombs that could be used to breach forts or encampments of men.  We learned how the bombs were lit in the mortar and how each fuse and packing of the bomb was slightly different. 

We watched a blacksmith at work.  (Even though his forge was not of the period.  He has to use a portable one for the event.)  This always fascinates Little Man. 

We looked at the craftsmanship of a leather worker.  He showed us a suede bowl and bucket and told us how they worked.  He also demonstrated a gun tool that many soldiers would have used.  Then he allowed the children to hold his long rifle.  The children were surprised at how heavy it was.

We looked at the farm animals and petted them.  Of course, I heard chimes of I wish we had.... 

Finally, we witnessed the battle of the day.  Muskets and rifles fired and the Battle of Charlotte was taken over by the British troops. 

We had a great time even though the weather was hot and humid.  Can't wait for the next Latta event!

Latta Plantation - Celtic Festival

We took the children and their friends to the Celtic Festival at Latta Plantation.  We wanted to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a different manner this year and decided to make the drive.  As always, the Latta Plantation is well worth the hour and a half drive!

The children were excited to see the Celtic dancers and hear the music.  We listened to a Scottish story teller and learned interesting details about the Scots.  The story teller was mesmerizing and she made you feel like you were listening to the person that had experienced the history first hand.  She recounted the struggles of the Highlanders and how England punished them.  She told of their plight in Ireland and how they came to the New World.  We learned how and why they settled in the area that we call home.

We perused the various encampments depicting the Revolutionary war, Civil war, WWI and WWII Scots-Irish soldiers.  The boys always look forward to seeing the various weapons and witnessing the demonstrations.

We watched the Celtic dancers and learned about the various dances.

The children enjoyed the Highlander games.  There was an area set aside for the children to try their hand at the various games.  Little Man didn't want to leave the rubberband rifle range!  B-Man enjoyed playing the Scottish hammer throw.  Egee tried the caber throw.  Sunshine was happy to do it all!

We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to next year's celebration!