Carson City Historical Society presents talk on mountain men historic reenactments
Carson City Historical Society announces a talk by Ben Merrell and Stan Cleaves, members of the Eagle Valley Muzzleloaders, an organization in Carson City that conducts historic reenactments of the Mountain Men's struggle for survival during the late 1800s.
Please join us for this free event on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Robert Historic House Museum located at 1207 Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701. RSVP: carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or (775) 887-2174.
Carson City is named for the mountain man, Kit Carson. Before he was hired as a guide for John C. Fremont for the exploration of the Great Basin, Oregon, and California, Carson was a friend of the Daniel Boone family and a trapper (mountain man). He and other mountain men would gather furs they had trapped throughout the year and would hold their annual Rocky Mountain Rendezvous where they would exchange pelts for money, supplies, and equipment. Carson's exploits as a scout and as a military man, detailed in his memoir, led to his becoming a legend, one who was even famous in dime novels.
Modern day mountain men rendezvous reenactments mimic some of the mountain men experiences using historically accurate black powder guns and early 1800s clothing, such as buckskin.
Activities can include shooting black powder guns, dealing with wet and cold weather challenges, repairing canvas tents ripped by winds, tomahawk throwing, starting fires with flint and steel, and other realistic experiences. Rendezvous activities are often family oriented.
Ben Merrell, one of the speakers, goes by the nickname Kryer, due to his big booming voice. He has led several Mountain Men Rendezvous in Carson City and in the hills around Carson City. He has been described by one observer as the "booshway (very big leader) of the Mountain Men and a thoroughly nice guy, too." The March 23 attendees should find this talk entertaining and instructive.
Information about this and other Carson City Historical Society events can be found at CCHistorical.org.