W.B. Place's biggest-ever Buck skinners Encampment attracted at least 15,000 visitors--and maybe more like 18,000--to Hartford last weekend. The annual event recreates the life of the fur trade era of the 1800s and earlier. History buffs from throughout the Midwest, and as far away as Texas and Colorado, came to pitch their tents and live the life of the era. The characters included traders and trappers, paddle makers, arrow makers, flint-nappers, bead workers. A camp regular, known only as "Snake," scraped buffalo hide and shared his perspectives on the roles of men and women. Above: Stevn Towne, a white metal smith from Onalaska, shows his wares to a group of fifth graders from Rose Glen School of Waukesha. Towne (Far right) pours a spoon from an early mold. About 600 children from schools in southeastern Wisconsin attended the encampment.
Photo measures 7.75 x 9.75 inches. Photo is dated 09-23-1991.
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