Colonial America: A Traveler's Guide

By Patricia and Robert Foulke
390 pages, softcover, $16.95

Reviewed by Peskunck Larrabee

Globe-Pequot's Colonial America is a book written for the general public but which can actually be more useful to the muzzleloader and especially the muzzleloading reenactor. Many of the places mentioned in the book would be familiar to those who attend events at historic sites on the East Coast. Of course, such a reenactor might say that they have already been there and know the history of such-and-such a site quite well. However, this book doesn't dwell long on such well-known sites as Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia or Fort Ticonderoga in New York but has an expanded scope that details less well-known areas and locations. The lesser-known historic sites mentioned are sometimes within an hour's drive or less of the more frequently visited sites. Museum listings include the seasons and hours of operation. The Foulkes also list the names, directions, and phone and fax numbers of historic inns, bed-and-breakfast houses, resorts and restaurants that are in the vicinity. With this additional information, the reenactor attending a weekend event can expand his trip to a one- or two-week vacation, using the weekend as a jumping-off point.

The scope of Colonial America includes not only the territory of the original thirteen states but also Vermont, Maine and Florida. In spite of its name, it also occasionally touches upon places and events pertaining to the history of the Civil War and the 19th century.

I was especially interested in this book as I have been a reenactor to many of the sites described. On page 68 in the chapter on Massachusetts, I spotted fellow reenactor Nanapashemet, a Wampanoag curator of the native American section of Plymouth Plantation in the photo of 1620s-costumed pilgrim and Wampanoag interpreters "chowing down" in a first Thanksgiving portrayal at the living history museum-village.

Having been active at Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga), Fort Crown Point and having at least visited the rebuilt Fort William Henry, all in New York, and as a living historian quite familiar with their histories, I checked the Foulkes' work for accuracy and found that it measures up pretty well. They reminded me of some things that I had forgotten about--such as the presence at "Ti" of the hollow, message-containing spherical bullet that was swallowed by a British spy and which his patriot captors forced him to vomit. However, one point that I can't let pass is their crediting of one of the imprecations hurled at the commander of Fort Ti when the Green Mountain Boys stormed into the fort in 1775. The authors attribute the cry, "Come out, you damned old rat!" to Colonel Benedict Arnold. The Foulkes cannot be Vermonters, as every true-hearted Green Mountaineer knows that it was Ethan Allen who roared that demand.

The Globe-Pequot Press, Old Saybrook, CT 06475.