Ideas for tent???

[Historicaly Correct]

Wanting some ideas on setting up the inside of a tent.... I know some people use modern equipment and cover those pieces and some are more peroid oriented. Would like any IDEAS!!!!! How do you set your tent up? or do you use one at all? I'm ordering a tent that is 9' long and 7' tall from Fall Creek, need to accomodate 2 people with gear.
HC

[johan_steele]

Are you doing a soldier only impression?

If so keep it simple, a couple whicker baskets from Salvation Army for storage & a couple three blankets. Some guys suggest ridgepole hangers to hang your gear... I've never tried that. All I need to do in a tent is sleep.

If you are tenting your wife as well buy a $20 white canvas tarp as a ground cloth and cover that w/ your blankets. Keeps the dew out, things a little cleaner and makes my wife, at least, happier. Sleep on that if you need more cushion... Do what you need to do to enjoy yourself. Warn your better half though that getting changed in the tent takes some practice and care or you can knock down the tent.

My wife has a baker tent as it is a little roomier & it has a fly... but it almost requires 3 people to set it up... I miss the old wedge. That said my wife loves her baker tent; plenty of room.

Under normal circumstances I sleep under a dog tent w/ the wife & daughter set up w/ the civilians.

As an important note at least once per season use a candle and rub along the thread lines; that will help keep the water out.

A trick for an event in cold weather, dig a hole in the middle of your tent about a foot deep. Heat a dozen or so big stones in the fire and then put them in a tin bucket. Take that into the tent upend the stones into the hole and put the bucket over the stones. An effective heater and I usually only ever had to switch stones once or twice in a night.

Good Luck

[texascavcadet]

For me I have a cot and a "period" correct blanket to go over when the tourist wonder into camp. I also have several "period" boxes outside my tent that I keep locked with all my civilized stuff, and if you do have bokes or crates in your tent keep a blanket over them to hide anything not historical correct. And always keep your tent tied shut because Iv known kids to go and take stuff out including guns!!

But if you dont want to do that you can always "rough" it and sleep on the ground, (but i wouldnt advize that with wife and kids)


Best of Luck!!!!!!!

[cpl_lewis]

sam here. i have a wooden military cot with a wool blanket draped over it. I have some iron hook that go over my ridge pole to prevent clutter so i can hang up my great coat/dress{for when im not portraying a soldier}/ or lantern...... they are wonderful. historically: i got the same size tent through fall creek and it hasn't given me any problems yet. good luck to you!

[Miss Amy]

Sir -

I am still mastering the art of setting up a 9*7 A-frame by myself. More of a pride thing, as at events I always have plenty of help.

If you are going for the family look - you can set up 2 cots (ours are the extra wide swiss army style, with folding alum frames) on either side, and a rug or runner down the middle. Throw one or more wool blankets or quilts over the cots, making sure they come nearly to the floor. This provides a more period look, as well as enabling you to store things out of site under the cots. A nice wooden box or a rubbermaid tote with a cloth over it provides a nightstand. With only one person and cot the tent suddenly goes from comfy to roomy. With only one cot, you may elect to place it along the rear wall.

If you are hunting for coolers and cots and a camping "potty", first figure out what you want and then make sure it fits under you cot. I have afriend who's cooler fits under her cot but is so tall that when she lays on the cot, she lays on the cooler - which means it has to come out at night and gets tripped over.

Personally - I try to pack only a softside 12 pack cooler, my husband brings a big plastic one. I bring a chamber pot (much smaller than the camping "potty"), neccessary with a daughter. Husband manages to do without.

I have a hanger for my lamp that slips onto an upright, as well as a lamp holder for outside. My friend has a wash basin holder with an enamaled bowl that pushes into the ground just outside her tent. It is very nice. Sometimes I think I want one.

We also set our fly up in front ofthe tent as a "front porch", with a small a table and some chairs or stools, plus a larger wooden trunk for storing stuff. And, if there is room in the truck or trailer, my rocking chair.

All the comforts of home - and we travel with a pick-up truck and a horse trailer with a tack/storage area. Depending on the event, we often have 2 tents - on for my hsuband and the other for Catherine and I. Also, two horses.

When it is just Catherine and I, as camp followers, we have the 7*9 tent (already have it, or we would use a much smaller one). The fly goes over the top of the tent, eliminating 2 uprights and a ridge pole (helps with warmth/cooling and controlling the shadows mentioned below). A wicker laundry basket with clothes, soap, skin cream, toothbrush, etc in it. A second one with food and the cooler (if we bring it) and bottled water. A small "sewing basket" with Catherines dolly and a few toys. Packed into a large flour sack - A canvas floor coth, and a collection of assorted wool blankets and one soft cozy cotton one. I lay out the bedding - wool on the bottom for padding and warm, cotton to snuggly between, and more wool on top. Then I fold it in 1/2 and roll it up. It sets in a rear corner, I can unroll just a bit of it for nap time if needed. OH, and the chamber pot with it necessities. I bring a candle latern as well as a voltive candle and holder. We dont use them, I have a dual bulb coleman lantern. The color of the light is "wrong", it is way too bright, and throws great shadows on the tent walls - but I do not need to worry about Catherine tipping it over and the tent catching on fire. Plus, it is easier to read bedtime storys with the better quality light.

Catherine and I can travel in a Toyota Camery, with the car seat, and can still pack the cooking kit if needed.

Hope this helps - Your set up depends on your own expectations and needs. And how much room you have for transporting stuff. In our group, most people come with a truck and horse trailer, or a minivan and storage type trailer. Most of the women wear hoops and have over the ridge pole hooks and clothes poles.

Best Wishes - Miss Amy

P.S. when my sister in law comes with us, we ensure there is a hotel near by. She will settle for not having a swimming pool.

[cpl_lewis]

wow that's quite a feat to take upon yourself trying to set up the a-frame by yourself. I would never have the patience

[Miss Amy]

Let me assure you, it is best done in jeans instead of a dress - and hoops are definetly out!

Sometimes I want Catherine to grow faster so she can help - but . . . she is such a little cutie.

Amy

[ole]

Now you've done it, Miss Amy. I demand a picture of Miss Catherine.
Ole

[Miss Amy]

Well - I am sure I have atleast one. Now, how it instert it into a post. . .

Miss Amy

[ole]

Miss Amy:

Just one? There is certainly a way to do it. When you've figured it out, let me know how. I have a picture of Wade Hampton's sword that I'd like to post -- as well as the 8 brass stars on the Columbia state house marking the hits it took from the damyankee guns.

Ole