NMLRA Spring National Shoot

Where else can you see the new “Indiana State Rifle,” take a class on log home construction, listen to hammer dulcimer music, talk to “Benjamin Franklin,” and learn to shoot a muzzleloading rifle? At the Spring National Shoot in Friendship, Indiana, of course! 

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association in Friendship, Indiana will hold its celebration of all things relating to the sport and history of muzzleloading June 9-17. Early American living history demonstrations and classes, museum displays, black powder shooting competitions, shopping opportunities, a wine tasting, youth activities, and some of the finest commercial vendors in the muzzleloading community will be featured. The Spring National Shoot is an opportunity to view an important part of our nation’s heritage in operation. The event grounds are located in the rolling hills of beautiful southeastern Indiana about forty miles from Cincinnati, Ohio. Public attendance is welcome, and there are many things to see and do! 

“Indiana State Rifle” on Exhibit June 9 

The NMLRA is honored to have the privilege of exhibiting the newly proclaimed “Indiana State Rifle” in the NMLRA Education Building Museum on Saturday June 9, 2012, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Grouseland Foundation, stewards of the Indiana Territorial Governor's Mansion of William Henry Harrison and future US President in Vincennes, Indiana, is proud to own one of only six known remaining guns made by John Small, the first sheriff of Knox County, Indiana, at a time when Knox County extended across the current states of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. The “Grouseland Rifle” was made sometime between 1803 and 1812 during the “Golden Age” of the long barreled rifles. 

House Bill 1283 in the Indiana General Assembly, which passed on March 6, 2012, designates the "Grouseland Rifle" as the official rifle of Indiana. The legislation was added to a bill authored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Kathy K Richardson (R-29, Noblesville). State Senator John Waterman (R-39, Shelburn) authored an amendment to the bill to include the adoption of the State rifle. The legislation was signed in to law by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels on March 15, 2012. 

Eighteenth and Early 19th Century Crafts on Display in the “Living History Center” 

The most colorful aspect of the Nationals is the interactive living history program featured in the Living History Center. Located on the banks of Laughery Creek, this area reminds visitors of the importance of 

the historical heritage behind the sport of muzzleloading. At various times throughout the Nationals, visitors might be treated to the sounds of French Canadian harmonies, fife and drums, Early American songs, or hammer dulcimer and bagpipe music. Scheduled programs and traditional crafts artisans include gourd art, blacksmithing, woodworking, a frontier scout horse encampment, weaving, 18th century medicine, and many more demonstrations in camps scattered throughout the Living History Center grounds. Classes and workshops include ones devoted to the arts of blockprinting, gourd baskets, log cabin construction, and leatherworking. Activities are planned for children, including an archaeology class, bead stringing, a Native American-style pottery class, period games, and candle dipping! 

“Living Arts” Classes for All Ages! 

The NMLRA’s “Living Arts” program will be sponsoring over twenty classes at the Spring National Shoot. Classes will take place on the grounds of the NMLRA’s Primitive Encampment/Living History Center, or in the Education Building. Subjects covered include sword play, natural dyeing, bow and arrow making, leatherwork, gourd baskets, classes for children, and many more! Additional information on these classes can be found at www.nmlra.org/pdfs/June12LivingArtsClassSchRegForm.pdf. 

Wine Tasting with Ertel Cellars 

The Southeastern corner of Indiana is home to a number of premier wineries, and Ripley County has one of the best. The NMLRA will welcome Ertel Cellars of Batesville, Indiana for a wine tasting fundraiser at the Education Building from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. June 9. The winery will be bringing over a dozen different wines for sampling, and their wine will be available for purchase. As you sip and view the museum exhibits, which will also be open during the wine tasting, take some time to listen to the hammer dulcimer music of Tim Schaiper, who will be playing music to compliment the occasion. 

Museum Displays at the Education Building 

Two guest exhibits will fill the NMLRA Education Building Museum for the Spring National Shoot. Museum hours for the Spring National Shoot are 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. June 9 – June 16. 

The first exhibit, put on by guest curator Guy Smith, will boast a large collection of antique powder flasks. Mr. Smith will be bringing original Colt revolvers and accoutrements, an original long rifle and powder horn made for a distant ancestor, and an original pistol recovered from Mackinaw Island many years ago. The second exhibit is focused on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and is hosted by guest curators Robert Anderson and Ed Falvo. Anderson and Falvo participated in the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, the official bicentennial reenactment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Anderson is a descendent of the youngest member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, George Shannon. He and Falvo will have reproductions of the clothing of the enlisted men both standard and military, rifle powder canisters, many of the firearms, Native gifts, flags that were used, cooking and eating utensils, a bull boat, writing desks, and a replica of the medical chest that was taken on the expedition. There will also be some original firearms, tools, and medical equipment. 

The NRA’s National Firearms Museum will present a display from its collection during the Shoot. The museum collection will be accompanied by Senior Curator Philip Schreier and will be on display in the NMLRA’s Education Building museum June 9– June 11 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and Tuesday, June 12 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Included in the exhibit will be a Girandoni air rifle of the style used by Lewis & Clark from 1803-1806 as well as numerous other Lewis and Clark items of interest. 

Exciting Firearms Competitions 

National-class competitive muzzleloading shooting is a strong focus of this gathering. As a special feature this year, the National Rifle Association (NRA) will be bringing their Muzzleloading Championship matches to the Spring National Shoot! The NRA and NMLRA have teamed up to bring many new competition opportunities, as participants can now compete in the NRA National Muzzle 

Loading Championships and at the same time shoot the NMLRA’s Spring National Shoot! There are so many matches that there is truly something for shooters of all skill levels, and with all types of muzzleloading equipment. A special feature of the competition area is the Youth Range, developed by the NMLRA as a way to safely teach children how to shoot muzzleloading firearms and get them involved and engaged in the sport at a young age! 

Shopping Opportunities 

The Commercial Vendor area features a myriad of muzzleloading guns and supplies for the serious shooter or the enthusiastic beginner. Many rows of booths offer merchandise ranging from guns and gun parts to books, period clothing, leather goods, and other supplies relating to the sport. The Commercial Row Vendors offer a wonderful opportunity to listen and learn from the experts in the hobby. In addition, the Living History Center on the event grounds provides for interesting browsing and buying amongst quality vendors of historical crafts. 

Special Traffic Information 

State Road 62 is closed between Dillsboro and Friendship. If you are coming from the east, take US 50 into Elrod and turn onto Friendship Road, which will take you in to Friendship; or take US 50 to Versailles to 421 South (stoplight at McDonalds), take 421 South to 129 South (1 mile from stoplight). You can then either turn onto Olean Road (about 5.7 miles) and go into Friendship (turning left onto 62) or take State Road 129 South to State Road 62 in Cross Plains (about 8 miles), then left on 62 and follow through into Friendship. If you are driving an RV or large mobile home we suggest that you follow the directions from Versailles to State Road 62 east; follow this through the town of Friendship, and the Walter Cline Range will be located on your left. (Enter address for GPS as 6219 S. State Road 62, Friendship, IN 47021.) 

Handicap parking is available. No pets are allowed except assistance animals. Gate hours are 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT June 9-16. Admission is charged for visitors 18 and up, and a portion of the parking fee benefits the local American Legion. For more information on the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association’s Spring National Shoot and the living arts programming, please contact the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at 1.800.745.1493, www.nmlra.org. 

Visitors attending the National Spring Shoot might also be interested in another area attraction, the two Flea Markets that are adjacent to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association’s event grounds. Flea Market activities are ongoing throughout the National Spring Shoot and hours vary. For information in regards to the Flea Markets, contact the Old Mill Campground and Flea Market, Gary Stutler, 812.667.5322, and the Friendship Flea Market, Jan Schnell, 859.341.9188, or 812.667.5645, www.friendshipfleamarket.com. 

For directions to the site, and information about hotel and motel facilities, Bed and Breakfasts, restaurants, and other area attractions, contact the Ripley County Tourism Bureau offices, 

Jackson Mills Trade Fair sponsored by the NMLRA

   This Link will take to to the Jackson Mills homepage and tell you all about the Fair the NMLRA will be having there the first weekend in November.

Tomahawk Throwing Video

  This Link will take you to a good article and video about Tomahawk Throwing at Friendship.

Living Arts Classes for the Fall National Matches 2011

National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Announces “Living Arts” Class Schedule for

National Championship Shoot

September 10th-18th, 2011

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association’s Living Arts program will be sponsoring a number of traditional craft classes at the National Championship Shoot. All classes will take place on the grounds of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association in Friendship, Indiana in the Primitive Encampment/Living History Center, or in the Education Building

.

Constructing a Simple Rifleman’s Bag

September 12th & 13th, 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. each day; Education Building

NMLRA Board member and NMLRA Life Member Dean Freund will host a leather bag making class in the Education Building September 14th & 15th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. each day. Dean is a retired outdoor education teacher with 36 years of service. An avid 4-H volunteer, Dean has instructed numerous living history classes during adult training weekends for 4-H and has also instructed at numerous Ohio state-wide shooting education summer camps. He co-authored Ohio’s “Living History” curriculum and the member record book for youth participants, and was honored to teach muzzleloading at one of the national 4-H instructor training sessions. He has taught numerous leather bag classes in many venues, including the Log Cabin Shop’s series of heritage crafts classes.

He will begin his class with a brief introduction illustrating bag design, and will share information about materials, tools and their suppliers. Participants will create a plain and simply constructed rifleman’s bag in a period correct size no larger than 6” x 9”. It will have a 1 inch hand forged iron buckle and a keeper. Dyes and stains will be used to create an “aged” or antique look. The bag will be a one of a kind, unique creation. The bag will not be lined or include an interior pocket, welt, or gusset. The class fee of $83.00 includes basic tools and supplies, and enough leather to make one bag in class and a similar sized bag at home. A second hand forged iron buckle is available for an additional $6.00. The class is structured in this way to give the interested student the opportunity to reinforce learned skills after the initial class session. To register, contact Leslie Martin Conwell, NMLRA American History Events Coordinator, at 765.563.6792, nmlraevents@seidata.com. Participants must pre-register.

Leather Stitching Class

September 12th, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Primitive Encampment/Living History Center

Wayne Troup of Vintage Leather will be teaching a class on basic leather stitching September 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Primitive Encampment/Living History Center at his tent. Wayne has been

a professional leatherworker for over thirty years. He demonstrates at many living history events, including the Feast of the Hunters’ Moon and Mississinewa 1812. Wayne will demonstrate his stitching technique and discuss basic leather construction. Class participants will learn how to start, stop, splice, and split thread, and punch and space holes. At the end of the session they will have completed a belt pouch with a deer antler button catch. The class fee of $60.00, payable at the time of the class, includes a leather awl, needle, and the materials to make the pouch. For registration information, contact the instructor at 812.331.4050.

Primitive Bow Making Class

September 13th & 14th, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day; Primitive Encampment/Living History Center

Navio Occhialini, master bow maker and head of the NMLRA’s Bow Range, will offer his class on the art of primitive bow making at the Primitive Encampment/Living History Center September 13th – 14th. Navio is a well known bow maker, and his classes are eagerly anticipated each year. Instructor supplies the materials to build a hickory Woodland-style bow, Flemish twist bow string, and three arrows, and will supply a “how to” DVD. Some tools are required, and a list can be obtained from contacting the instructor. Cost of the class is $200.00, and is payable at the time of the class. Pre-registration is required, as class size is limited! Contact the instructor at 317.872.4920 or at cocch@sbcglobal.net for more details.

Basic Gourd Basket With Rope Handle Class

September 16th, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Education Building

Perry Riley Jr., MFA, is an artisan who specializes in gourd crafts. Scheduled for September 16th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Education Building, this class is intended to give the participants the basic concept of gourd basketry made by coil weaving a rope on top of a hard shell gourd. Beginning with a pre-cut and pre-drilled gourd, students will learn how to attach a rope onto the rim with a basic stitch pattern. This basic technique has many possibilities for developing into personalized works of art. The technique can also be applied to other types of materials to be used on gourd baskets. The completed basket will be fully functional for a variety of applications.

Class content covered includes a brief overview of the gourd medium, safety practices when working with gourds, how to select the right gourd, how to prepare the gourd, preparing the rope, coil weaving the rope onto the rim, making the handle loop, general care of gourds, and a list of resources and suppliers of gourds. Class fee is $45.00, and includes all materials. Participants are asked to bring scissors, paper, and pencils. To register, contact Leslie Martin Conwell, NMLRA American History Events Coordinator, at 765.563.6792, nmlraevents@seidata.com. Participants must pre-register.

Gourd Bowl with Pine Needle Rim Class

September 16th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Education Building

Gourd artisan Perry Riley Jr., MFA, instructs this class on the basic concept of coil weaving on top of a hard shell gourd on September 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Education Building. Raised on a farm, Perry was surrounded by the beauty of nature. Trained as a professional artist, Perry’s love for nature led to his interest in gourds, where he was intrigued that he could grown his own “canvas,” a gourd, and could reconnect with the oldest cultivated plant known to humans. Beginning with a pre-cut and pre-drilled gourd, students will learn how to weave a protective pine needle rim onto a gourd with a basic stitch pattern. This technique can also be applied to other types of materials for gourd rims. Students will complete their gourd in class.

Class content covered includes a brief overview of the gourd medium, safety practices when working with gourds, how to select the right gourd, how to prepare the gourd, preparing pine needles for weaving, coil weaving of pine needles onto the rim, general care of gourds, and a list of resources and suppliers of gourds. Class fee is $45.00, and includes all materials. Participants are asked to bring scissors, paper, and pencils. To register, contact Leslie Martin Conwell, NMLRA American History Events Coordinator, at 765.563.6792,

nmlraevents@seidata.com. Participants must pre-register.

Drawing in Perspective

September 15th, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Education Building

Perry Riley Jr., MFA, has designed a class to give participants the basic understanding of the traditional European illusion of depth perspective to be held September 15th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Students will work in a sketchbook format while learning the basic rules and concepts of illusionist space and how to apply them. This technique has many applications in the heritage crafts. Class applications will focus on drawing buildings and how to apply the techniques to any situation, including still lifes. The instructor will be sharing time saving techniques and the tricks of the trade. Upon completion of the class, students will be better informed on how to accurately evaluate and draw in an illusionist space. Class fee is $$35.00. Students are asked to bring a #2 pencil, eraser, ruler, drawing paper, and a drawing board or pad and paper to take notes. Sketch books are greatly encouraged. To register, contact Leslie Martin Conwell, NMLRA American History Events Coordinator, at 765.563.6792, nmlraevents@seidata.com. Participants must pre-register.

Introduction to Watercolor

September 15th, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Education Building

This class, instructed by Perry Riley Jr., MFA, is intended to introduce students to the basic fundamental techniques used in the watercolor medium. The basic principles of this transparent medium will be examined and how to apply that knowledge when work is in progress. Participants will be working in a sketch book format creating their own samples of each technique and combining techniques as the class progresses. The instructor encourages creativity and exploration of new discoveries in this medium of working. Upon completion of the class, students will have finished their own collection of samples of techniques with notes to better enable them to explore the many possibilities this wonderful medium has to offer. Class fee is $35.00 Students are asked to bring a selection of watercolor pigments, variety of watercolor brushes, watercolor paper, cellulose sponge, paper towels, small water bowl or cup, pencil, ruler, and paper for taking notes. Sketch books are greatly encouraged. To register, contact Leslie Martin Conwell, NMLRA American History Events Coordinator, at 765.563.6792, nmlraevents@seidata.com. Participants must pre-register.

Classes at the new Education Building

Leslie Martin Conwell 5:41am Jun 1 YOUR new Education Building and the Primitive Encampment/Living History Center has some excellent heritage craft classes scheduled for the Spring Shoot, including: Painted floor cloth class, blockprinting class, lace making class, constructing a simple rifleman's bag class, blacksmithing class, leather stitching class, primitive bow making class, soap making class, basic gourd basket with rope handle class, gourd bowl with pine needle rim class, and a recreating primitive images class. For more info, go tohttp://www.facebook.com/l/fd3720sHyJLaK6XqMSrWIFsrgQA/www.nmlra.organd click on the Spring Shoot tab! Thank you to our instructors!

Lore

“For those people planning on coming to the Lore this weekend- despite the recent rains, as of Sunday May 1^st Laughery Creek is within its banks and the event site is fine with no flooding or rain damage.  We will continue to monitor and post an update later this week.

A traffic note for those participants/visitors coming from the east- State Road 62 is closed between Dillsboro and Friendship.  So, if you are coming from the east, take 50 into Elroad and turn onto Friendship Road, which will take you in to Friendship, or take 50 to Versailles to 421 South.  Take 421 South to 129 South.  You can then either turn onto Olean Road and go into Friendship, or take 129 to State Road 62 in Cross Plains, then left into Friendship.”

National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Announces Museum Exhibits for Spring National Shoot 2011