Happy Evacuation Day!

Happy Evacuation Day everyone!  I was so happy to see so many of you last week and had a wonderful time.  I promise I will do it again next year.

Welcome to the Party!

Welcome to the blog for the Evacuation Day party. 

I’m sure you all have some questions:

First of all, who has a blog for a party? 

Well the answer to that question is I needed a free web page for more information.  In order to create a “cool” invitation it couldn’t have all the details in it, so I created this page.

Now the Practical Questions:

Do I have to dress up? 

            No of course not.  I know some of you will enjoy the opportunity to put your creative skills to good use and come up with a good costume.  If you'd rather not, no problem, come on out and enjoy a good time!  If you'd like help with a costume (especially if someone would like to borrow something I have) I'm happy to lend assistance.

What exactly do you mean by “victuals, beers and spirits fit for a proper Celebration of the Eighteenth Century”?

            I’m planning on making a number of really good 18^th Century dishes, including ham biscuits, pecan pie, eggnog and other goodies.  Don’t worry the food won’t be anything too weird.  If you’d like to try your hand at some 18^th Century fare I have a cook book of some updated recipes from Colonial Williamsburg which I can send along.  If you’d like to bring some drinks or something premade I'm happy to help you figure something out if you'd like.

Can I bring my…?

            Of course, your husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends and just plain friends are welcome.  Just let me know ahead of time.

How should I RSVP?

            Just shoot me an email at patricksalland@gmail.com

Speaking of which, you misspelled “répondez s'il vous plaît.”

            Yeah I know, unfortunately the font I was using for the invites didn’t have the accented “e.” I appologize to my French speaking friends.

Why did you send the invitations out so early?

          Having talked with some of you I thought it best to give people time to think about possible costumes. 

Now the non practical questions

What is Evacuation Day exactly?

At the end of the Revolutionary War the British were still in control of New York City.  On November 25, 1783 the British forces left the city peacefully.  A few minutes later General Washington rode into the city with his forces, claiming it for the new republic.  The American soldiers discovered that the British had greased the flag pole in the battery so to make it difficult for the revolutionaries to take down the British flag.  Finally a man wearing cleats was able to take down the flag.    

General Washington Enters the City on Evacuation Day

Until 1863 Evacuation Day was a popular holiday in the city.  Every year patriotic organizations would hold celebrations, which included banquets, a contest in which young men climbed a greased flag pole to retrieve a British flag, and of course lots of drinking!  In 1863 the holiday was eclipsed by the newly created Thanksgiving, and so it fell into obscurity. 

But being interested in things that have been lost or forgotten I’ve decided to bring it back!

What is the image on the invitation?
For the art historically inclined the image on the invitation is taken from a 1779 New York broadside and depicts Lady Liberty ready to fight for the revolution.  It is now in the New York Historical Society (SY1779 No. 2).  The border is a traditional 18th Century marigold border and the type face is one I found online based on The Practical Surveyor, by Samuel Wyld, published in London in 1725

Why aren't you having the party on Evacuation Day?

Evacuation Day falls on the day after Thanksgiving this year.  Not a very good day for a party, so I picked the week beforehand.  I'd hate my party to suffer the same fate as the original holiday!