Old-style camping was being demonstrated this weekend at the Cradle of Forestry by the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia NC. Old style means the way it was in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s -- Teddy Roosevelt style.
At this time in history, the Pisgah National Forest belonged to George W. Vanderbilt of the Biltmore House. Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service and Dr. Alwin Schenck, founder of the Biltmore Forestry School, both foresters hired by Mr. Vanderbilt, roamed these woods and slept under canvas in the fashion demonstrated by these re-enacters.
Sleeping under canvas was only one part of camping back in the day. Cooking over an open fire, created either by friction or flint and steel, camp stools and outdoor clothing of the day are some of the other parts. You won’t see matches, cellophane, plastics of any kind, or the camping gear found on the Internet; none of these products existed back then.
I had the pleasure of meeting David Wescott of Rexburg ID, author of “Camping in the Old Style.” Steve Watts, educator from The Schiele, who lives in Charlotte was there. I also chatted with the Conley’s of Columbia SC who are teachers in their real jobs and who like to do this for recreation. It sure looks like fun.
The photos show four styles of canvas shelters -- the wall tent, the wedge, the pyramid and the “whelen” -- a kind of forester-style lean to. You can see all kinds of personal gear, including candle lanterns which were used back in the day.
Wescott wrote his book to provide us with an alternative style of camping and having fun. Our gift shop didn’t have his book so I intend to buy one from amazon.com. I’ve seen bits of it; it looks like an old Scout handbook. Mr. Wescott has given me permission to publish his e-mail address, so feel free to contact him directly if you have questions or any trouble acquiring his book. dwescot@aol.com
At this time in history, the Pisgah National Forest belonged to George W. Vanderbilt of the Biltmore House. Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service and Dr. Alwin Schenck, founder of the Biltmore Forestry School, both foresters hired by Mr. Vanderbilt, roamed these woods and slept under canvas in the fashion demonstrated by these re-enacters.
Sleeping under canvas was only one part of camping back in the day. Cooking over an open fire, created either by friction or flint and steel, camp stools and outdoor clothing of the day are some of the other parts. You won’t see matches, cellophane, plastics of any kind, or the camping gear found on the Internet; none of these products existed back then.
I had the pleasure of meeting David Wescott of Rexburg ID, author of “Camping in the Old Style.” Steve Watts, educator from The Schiele, who lives in Charlotte was there. I also chatted with the Conley’s of Columbia SC who are teachers in their real jobs and who like to do this for recreation. It sure looks like fun.
The photos show four styles of canvas shelters -- the wall tent, the wedge, the pyramid and the “whelen” -- a kind of forester-style lean to. You can see all kinds of personal gear, including candle lanterns which were used back in the day.
Wescott wrote his book to provide us with an alternative style of camping and having fun. Our gift shop didn’t have his book so I intend to buy one from amazon.com. I’ve seen bits of it; it looks like an old Scout handbook. Mr. Wescott has given me permission to publish his e-mail address, so feel free to contact him directly if you have questions or any trouble acquiring his book. dwescot@aol.com
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