August 2025

August Newsletter

August is one of those curious in-between months—still the height of summer, yet with fall visible just beyond the horizon. We often say “in the slower season,” but truthfully, we haven’t had one of those in quite some time. This summer has been a steady march from one building project to the next. It’s been exhausting, yes, but also deeply rewarding.

Our staff has traveled—both for work and for pleasure—to historic sites across the country, each trip a reminder of how fortunate we are to work alongside people so personally devoted to history. While Samson Historical as a whole stayed home in July, the end of this month marks the beginning of our busy fall travel season, and the excitement in the shop is unmistakable.

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A Firm Foundation

Those of you who have visited the store in person know that we’re housed in two late 19th-century downtown buildings. Over the years, these spaces have been divided, reunited, and reimagined countless times. Unfortunately, records of our buildings—and many others—were lost in a fire decades ago, leaving gaps in the history.

This summer, we overhauled our receiving and quality control area, repairing structural issues and reinforcing the floor. We then removed non-load-bearing walls and remodeled our shipping and warehouse space. Each project brings the buildings closer to their original footprint, while revealing pieces of their story—like notes from past construction crews or a Carnegie Steel stamp on a support beam—that connect us to the history of the place we call home.

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The Uhl Pack
 A faithful reproduction of one of the few surviving Revolutionary War knapsacks, this pack is based on an original attributed to Captain David Uhl of the Dutchess County, NY militia. Made from 100% linen with wide shoulder straps and pewter button closures, it reflects the simple, practical gear soldiers carried during the War for Independence. Durable, functional, and historically accurate—perfect for reenactors and educators alike is available online now!

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From the Vernacular

Sometimes research can be tricky—and you have to laugh. While reading through some of the letters of John Adams, I stumbled across a word I didn’t recognize in a book review written on May 8th, 1788. Thinking it would be perfect for this section, I turned to my trusted 1792 edition of Samuel Johnson’s dictionary.

I did find the word and its definition:

Panegy’rick: An eulogy; an encomiastick piece.

If you’re anything like me, that definition might not have cleared much up. So I looked up encomiastick in the same book, where it was defined as:

Encomiastick: Panegyrical; lauditory; entertaining praise; bestowing praise.

Finding them defined in terms of each other wasn’t exactly enlightening, but as long as eulogy means what it does today, I could at least piece together a reasonable meaning.

Eulogy: Praise; encomium.

To complicate matters further, eulogy is found after eviternity and before evocation. In the Samuel Johnson dictionaries—as well as in at least two other 18th-century dictionaries—several “eu” words appear in the “ev” section, with the “ev” heading listed before “eu” in order.

The point of all this is to say: never stop researching. You may find more questions than answers, wonder how you learned your ABCs, and ultimately discover that’s half the fun of a good puzzle.

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The Battle of Oriskany

On August 6, 1777, deep in the wooded Mohawk Valley of New York, one of the most brutal and costly battles of the American Revolution unfolded. The Battle of Oriskany was part of the larger Saratoga campaign—a British strategy to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies by seizing control of the Hudson River corridor.

When British forces under Barry St. Leger laid siege to Fort Stanwix (also called Fort Schuyler), the call went out for local militia to come to its aid. General Nicholas Herkimer, leading roughly 800 men of the Tryon County militia, marched toward the fort. Unbeknownst to them, a force of Loyalists and allied Haudenosaunee warriors—including Mohawk leader Joseph Brant—lay in wait along a narrow ravine near Oriskany Creek.

After hours of savage fighting, the arrival of a sortie from Fort Stanwix—who raided the British camp—forced the enemy to break off the engagement. Casualties were staggering: nearly half of Herkimer’s force was killed or wounded, and losses on the opposing side were similarly severe.

Though tactically a defeat for the Americans, Oriskany stalled St. Leger’s advance and disrupted British plans. The siege of Fort Stanwix collapsed soon after, contributing directly to the American victory at Saratoga. That victory, in turn, persuaded France to openly ally with the fledgling United States—shifting the entire course of the war.

In The Shop 

While our travels connect us to people and places, the heartbeat of Samson Historical is still right here in the workshop. This month has been a blend of fine craftsmanship and brick-and-mortar restoration, both of which speak to our love of history.

On the garment side, we’ve begun a full overhaul of our linen stays, now made in a beautiful natural-colored linen that captures both the look and feel of the 18th century. Leather stays—another long-time favorite—will be making their return this winter. For the gentlemen, we’re adding multiple new linen waistcoat designs to our ready-stock offerings, and custom waistcoat options will be available in late fall for those who want a perfect, personalized touch. Every stitch and fabric choice is guided by historical research, ensuring that what leaves our shop could hold its own in any museum or on any battlefield.

Meanwhile, in our physical space, we’ve completed a pair of major renovations in the shipping department. The footprint has been expanded, the original late-19th-century floors have been uncovered and brought back to life, and our receiving area now boasts twice the space it had before. In the process, we addressed long-standing foundation issues—bringing stability not just for today, but for decades to come. As with our products, historical preservation and restoration is in our blood. We don’t just work in a historic setting; we’re caretakers of it.

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The Fair at New Boston

Step into the late 18th–early 19th centuries at George Rogers Clark Park, where artisans, entertainers, and military camps fill the wooded grounds. With a focus on education and immersive interpretation, it’s a favorite for both families and seasoned reenactors alike.

We’ll be there with garments, accessories, fabric, and tools—ready for you to browse, ask questions, and enjoy one of Ohio’s premier living history events.

August 30th & 31st
 Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
 Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
 George Rogers Clark Park, Springfield, Ohio
 Tickets available at the gate; children 6 and under free.