Four Centuries Of African-American Soldiers In Trenton, New Jersey On February 23, 2019

Today, I took a trip to The Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, New Jersey.  In honor of Black History Month, the Museum hosted the Four Centuries Of African-American Soldiers exhibit.  The following photographs and video give a sample of what was to be seen.  The exhibit will be at the Museum tomorrow as well.  More can be seen, including a weapons demonstration, if you wish to make the trek.

The daughter of the Tuskegee Airman in the framed photograph was at the event.  You will note the letter issued by the Harry Truman Administration at the bottom right:

A member of the U.S.C.T. and I looking at a newspaper from 1839 that I brought:

Primus Hall's House Report 820 For His Revolutionary War Pension Dated January 7, 1837

Hello.  This is Michael - Michael The Researcher observing Black History Month.  Today is February 22, 2019.  As many of you know, February 22 is George Washington's date of birth.  Tonight, I am going to tell you about someone who was in George Washington's Continental Army.  His name is Primus Hall.  I feature, in this blog entry, an original document from the year 1837.  It is a House Report from the Committee On Revolutionary Pensions during the Second Session of the Twenty-fourth Congress dated January 7, 1837.  You will note "man of color" in the text.  Primus Hall was a Black Revolutionary War Veteran, and this House Report details his petition requesting a pension for his time in the Military.  He was with George Washington in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.  Primus Hall was granted the pension in the following year.  A big salute to Primus Hall for his service in the Military and his participation in the War For American Independence.  He was also involved in the War Of 1812.

February is Black History Month, and February 22 is George Washington's Birthday.  This document effortlessly fits in with both events.  I am going to bring this document to Trenton, New Jersey tomorrow.  The Old Barracks Museum will be hosting the Four Centuries Of African American Soldiers exhibit.  I am going to visit my good friends in the U.S.C.T. and other Reenacting units.  I hope to see many of you there.  Thank you for reading and watching.  Good night.

George Washington's Birthday Revolutionary War Event At Valley Forge On February 18, 2019

Yesterday, I traveled to Valley Forge National Historical Park in King Of Prussia, PA for the George Washington's Birthday Revolutionary War event.  The following video and photographs are from that event ...

Historical And Other Events For 2019

My Friends: For the first time in three years, I updated my Portal To The Past Historical And Other Events list for 2019 (it was on my other blog previously).  Reenactments, Renaissance Faires, lectures, stamps, coins, trains and more are featured.  Many updates to follow as the information is harvested.

February

18 George Washington's Birthday And Revolutionary War Musket Drills in Valley Forge, PA. Info: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=A6CF8858-F252-881F-A7DFA903FE265484

23-4 Four Centuries Of African American Soldiers in Trenton, NJ. Info: http://www.barracks.org/4-centuries-of-african-american-soldiers.html

28 Tales Of The American Flag From The Nineteenth Century To Today in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

March

02 Stamp Show in Westfield, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Westfield-Stamp-Show06

10 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

21 Submarine Warfare Off Of The Jersey Shore In World War I And World War II Lecture in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

23-4 Trenton In The Winter Of 1778 Lecture in Trenton, NJ. Info: http://www.barracks.org/manufacturing-a-revolution.html

24 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

28 History Of Early Baseball In New Jersey in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

31 Train Show in Brick, NJ.  Info: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19975 & http://www.eastcoasttrainparts.com/brick.htm

April

06 World War I: Lessons And Legacies in Philadelphia, PA. Info: http://www.fortmifflin.us/event/the-great-war-remembered-lessons-and-legacies

06 Stamp Show in Pennsauken, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/MSC-Stamp-Bourse

07 300 Years Of American History Timeline in Media, PA.  Info: http://colonialplantation.org/show_page.php?pid=21

13 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

14 Mechanical Music Extravaganza in Wayne, NJ.  Info: http://antique-sound.com/index.html

14 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

21 Central Jersey Motorcycle Swap Meet in New Egypt, NJ.  Info: https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_events/NEW+JERSEY

28 Renaissance Faire in Smithville, NJ. Info: http://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events/renaissance-faire & http://historicsmithvillenj.com/35-renaissance-faire

28 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

May

04 Railroad Swap Meet/Train Show in Merchantville, NJ. Info: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=1755824

04 Stamp Show in Pennsauken, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/MSC-Stamp-Bourse

04-5 Renaissance Faire in Philadelphia, PA. Info: http://www.fortmifflin.us/event/philadelphia-renaissance-faire

11 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

11-2 Renaissance Faire in Philadelphia, PA. Info: http://www.fortmifflin.us/event/philadelphia-renaissance-faire

19 Central Jersey Motorcycle Swap Meet in New Egypt, NJ.  Info: https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_events/NEW+JERSEY

26 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

June

01 Stamp Show in Pennsauken, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/MSC-Stamp-Bourse

01-2 Civil War Reenactment in Whitehall, PA.  Info: https://friendsofcampgeiger.webs.com

07-9 World War II Weekend in Reading, PA.  Info: http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html

08 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

09 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

15-6 Military Timeline Weekend in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

22 Seven Years War/French And Indian War Reenactment in Media, PA.  Info: http://colonialplantation.org/show_page.php?pid=21

23 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

July

04-7 Revolutionary War Reenactment in Media, PA.  Info: http://colonialplantation.org/show_page.php?pid=21

06 Stamp Show in Pennsauken, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/MSC-Stamp-Bourse

13 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

14 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

20-1 Railroad Days Train Displays in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

27-8 Heritage Weekend Pre-Civil War in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

28 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

August

03 Stamp Show in Pennsauken, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/MSC-Stamp-Bourse

10 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

11 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

17-8 Heritage Weekend Post Civil War in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

25 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

September

05-8 Roar To The Shore Motorcycle Rally in Wildwood, NJ. Info: http://roartotheshoreonline.com  & http://www.lightningcustoms.com/roartotheshore.html

07-8 Revolutionary War Encampment in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

08 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

14 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

14 New Jersey History Fair in Manalapan, NJ. Info: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/centennial/fairindex.htm

14-5 American Civil War Reeanctment in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

21-2 American Civil War Reenactment in Media, PA.  Info: http://colonialplantation.org/show_page.php?pid=21

22 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

October

07 The Witches Ball in Mount Holly, NJ. Info: http://thewitchesball.com

12 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

13 Mechanical Music Extravaganza in Wayne, NJ.  Info: http://antique-sound.com/index.html

13 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

27 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

November

09 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

10 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

24 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

December

07 Wassail Day Christmas Event in Cape My, NJ.  Info: https://hcsv.org/event-directory/?date1=2019

08 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ. Info: http://www.coinzip.com/Burlington-World-Coin-Show & https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

14 Stamp Show in Bordentown, NJ. Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Bordentown-2nd-Saturday-Stamp-Bourse

22 Tri-State Monthly Coin & Stamp Show in Langhorne, PA.  Info: http://www.istampshows.com/Tri-State-Monthly-Coin-Stamp-Show

26-31 Patriot's Week Revolutionary War Reenactment in Trenton, NJ.  Info: http://patriotsweek.com

Edison Phonograph Not Spinning - Lubrication Necessary

Hey, people.  This is Illegal Mike.  I am inside of Illegal Mike's Antique Repair Shop.  Did you ever own an operational Phonograph that simply stopped spinning?  When this occurs, we should always initially consider a lack of lubrication to be the culprit.  In the following video, I will be working on a Thomas Edison Standard Phonograph Model B (on the shelves from July of 1905 to the Summer of 1906) using 3-In-One Multi-Purpose Oil.  The machine was not spinning well enough to play a record, and the oil definitely did the trick.

Illegal Mike's Antique Repair Shop ... Quality This Extraordinary Should Be ILLEGAL.

Duck Hunt (Clay Targets) Video Game Played On A Nintendo Entertainment System And A Toshiba Television

After well over two decades, I decided to try the Nintendo out that my brother purchased in the summer of 1989.  It powered on right away, and the ten games that we had all worked very well.  Here is one of them - Duck Hunt.  I am vegan so I never play the duck version - I only shoot the clay plates.  Over the years, I played the Atari, and never the Nintendo.  The neglect did not harm it in any way.  After not being turned on in more than twenty years (possibly, twenty-five), it is still going strong.  Yesterday and this morning, I played it for many hours, and that area comprising the thumb and palm hurt so badly that I had to stop.  I certainly do not miss the pain caused by these video games.

The NES is played on a Toshiba television set Model 14AF45 (December 2005).  I bought it at a yard sale last year.

The url for the above video: https://youtu.be/6PM3UOKcPjk

The "Three Centuries Of African American Soldiers" Exhibit In Trenton, New Jersey On February 28, 2016

Earlier today, in honor of Black History Month, the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, New Jersey hosted the annual "Three Centuries Of African American Soldiers" exhibit. My good friends representing the U.S.C.T. (United States Colored Troops) were present at the Civil War table along with historians portraying Soldiers of other conflicts from the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s.  I spoke with a number of people about teaming up with them to put together an event.  I certainly have the artifacts, documents and records.  It would definitely be amazing.

Here are the photographs ...

It was a bit of a surprise seeing the German artifacts at this event ... war souvenirs I assume:

A Visit To The Grave Of Frank Woodruff Buckles On The Fifth Anniversary Of His Passing

Frank Woodruff Buckles, America's Last Surviving Veteran Of World War I, passed away five years ago today on February 27, 2011. He is, without question, one of the most important figures in this nation's history. On this, the Fifth Anniversary of his passing, I visited his grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia so I could commemorate the occasion. You will note the signed portrait and the photograph of the two of us taken on the day that we met back in 2009.

I have never forgotten about the extraordinary meeting that I had with Frank Buckles.  That meeting was the very first topic on this blog, and, all of these years later, I am always happy to blog about "The Last Of The Doughboys".  I am elated to have finally made it to his gravesite.

Here is a video that I shot today:

The url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGkJ2WSp2-k

Photographs ...

Historical Outings And Other Events For 2016

I am back with a new list for a new year ... albeit a bit late for the new year.  It is 2016, and this year I am returning to Arlington National Cemetery.  The last time that I was there was in 2011 for the Funeral of America's Last Great War Veteran Frank Woodruff Buckles, and I will be there in 2016 to visit the Grave of Frank Woodruff Buckles.  As always, throughout the year, I will be updating this list as information pours in.

January
30 Battle Of The Bulge World War II Reeanctment in Fort Indiantown Gap, PA.  Info: http://www.wwiiha.org/new/index.php/fig

February
13-14 Greenburg's Train And Toy Show in Somerset, NJ. Info: http://greenbergshows.com/schedule.html & http://trainshow.com/schedule
13 Burlington County Railroad Club Winter Open House And Toy Train Flea Market in Cinnaminson, NJ.  Info: http://bcmrc.org
14 Burlington County Railroad Club Winter Open House And Toy Train Flea Market in Cinnaminson, NJ.  Info: http://bcmrc.org
20 Burlington County Railroad Club Winter Open House And Toy Train Flea Market in Cinnaminson, NJ.  Info: http://bcmrc.org
21 Burlington County Railroad Club Winter Open House And Toy Train Flea Market in Cinnaminson, NJ.  Info: http://bcmrc.org
20-21 Greenburg's Train And Toy Show in Wilmington, DE. Info: http://trainshowinc.com & http://greenbergshows.com/schedule.html
21 Wayne Train Show in Wayne, NJ. Info: http://www.eastcoasttrainparts.com/wayne.htm
27 A Visit To The Grave Of Frank Woodruff Buckles, America's Last Surviving Veteran Of World War I, On The fifth Anniversary Of His Passing in Arlington, Virginia.  Info: I am planning this event.
28 Exhibit: Three Centuries Of African American Soldiers in Trenton, NJ.  Info: http://www.barracks.org/3-centuries-of-african-american-soldiers.html

March
05 Train, Toy And Collectible Show in Stratford, NJ.  Info: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=20442
06 Brick Train Show in Brick, NJ.  Info: http://www.eastcoasttrainparts.com/brick.htm
12 Swap Meet And Train Show in Merchantville, NJ.  Info: No link yet.
12 Foodways On The 18th Century in Trenton, NJ.  Info: http://www.barracks.org/best-if-used-by.html
12-13 Greenburg's Train And Toy Show in Edison, NJ. Info: http://trainshowinc.com & http://greenbergshows.com/schedule.html
13 International Hobby Expo in Edison, NJ.  Info: http://giantshow.com
19-20 Exhibit: The Evolution Of Lighting in Schwenksville, PA.  Info: http://www.valleyforge.org/includes/calendar-of-events/-What-s-the-Bright-Idea-The-Evolution-of-Lighting-/16616
20 Gilbertsville Toy Train Show in Gilbertsville, PA.  Info: No link yet.

April
02 Punk Rock Flea Market in Trenton, NJ.
03 Punk Rock Flea Market in Trenton, NJ.
10 Mechanical Music Extravaganza in Wayne, NJ.  Info: http://www.antique-sound.com
24 Toms River Train and Toy Show in Toms River, NJ.  Info: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19972

May
03 New Hope Train And Sale in New Hope, PA.  Info: http://www.modeltrainshows.com/2009/03/pennsylvania-train-shows.html
14 New Jersey State History Fair in Manalapan, NJ.  Info: http://www.njhistoryfair.org
15 Wayne Train Show and Sale in Wayne, NJ.  Info: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19961 & http://www.eastcoasttrainparts.com/wayne.htm
21-2 9th Street Italian Market Festival in Philadelphia, PA.  Info: http://www.italianmarketfestival.com
22 Brick Train Show in Brick, NJ.  Info: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19975 & http://www.eastcoasttrainparts.com/brick.htm

June
05-6 Civil War Event in Schwenksville, PA.  Info: http://www.ppmcivilwar.org
18 Annual March Out Of The Continental Army in Valley Forge, PA.  Info: http://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?eventID=3799543-307230

July
26 Mill Creek And Lycoming 2015 Summer Train Meet in Pennsdale, PA.  Info: http://www.modeltrainshows.com/2009/03/pennsylvania-train-shows.html

September
18 Gilbertsville Toy Train Show in Gilbertsville, PA.  Info: No link yet.

October
09 Mechanical Music Extravaganza in Wayne, NJ.  Info: http://www.antique-sound.com

December
04 Gilbertsville Toy Train Show in Gilbertsville, PA.  Info: No link yet.
31 Battle Of Trenton Revolutionary War Reenactment in Trenton, NJ.  Info: http://www.barracks.org/battle-of-trenton-reenactment.html

Part 3: Star Wars Toys In The Snow Recreating Hoth Scenes (Rebel Hangar, Imperial Troops) In January Of 2016

This is it - the grand finale of the Star Wars In The Snow Series.  The photographs in this Part 3 blog entry were taken on January 24 of this year.  In the following pictures, you will see the Rebel Bunker/Hangar with Pilots, X-Wings Fighters, a Y-Wing Fighter, a Rebel Armored Snowspeeder, a Troop Transport, Tauntauns, Soldiers, Commanders, 2-1B, FX-7, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO, a Vehicle Maintenance Energizer and the mighty Millennium Falcon ... mighty and discolored.

I thought that I would include an encore with the Hoth Stormtroopers and the Tripod Laser Cannon.  It was getting dark by the end of the Hangar shots and it was dark by the time that I captured these shots.  I wanted to get them in the light ... well, there is always the next snowstorm for that.  By the way, the middle Snowtrooper does not look as yellowed in person as it looks in the pics.

Update (January 30, 2016): I finally put together a video version of the photoshoot:

Here is the url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/tPPgona6gFA