This podcast has featured numerous living historians describing life of Florida’s forebears in the 19th century, whether they be soldiers of the Seminole Wars era, or Seminole, or sutlers, settlers, or crackers. More than one young person witnessing this spectacle has wondered, how can I do what they are doing?

In this episode, Kathleen Ramirez and Will Baker-Palenik tell us how. At a special event Saturday, April 15, Fort King park is holding the “School of the Soldier”. It is an all-day, free event where the public can learn about 1830s soldiering and join in the instruction in the manual of arms for the musket.

Kathleen is the Outdoor/Historical Resource Program Coordinator, at Fort King in Ocala. Will is a military reenactor of nearly half a century, starting with Civil War and gradually migrating to Seminole Wars times as well.

They have arranged for wooden rifle drills for kids, hard tack cooking, canvas tent construction, along with cannon and musket firing demonstrations by period-accurate re-enactors of the 1830s U.S. Army soldier. Fort King’s address is 3925 East Fort King Street in Ocala.

Will Baker-Palenik provides impressions of pioneers, militia, and soldiers from the 1830s in Florida. When not ensuring programs run without a glitch, Kathleen Ramirez portrays pioneer women. 

Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Fla. 

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